It was at the moment when Rodri's dry strike hit the back of Andre Onana's net that Pep Guardiola undoubtedly realized it: his appointment with history, his own, that of Manchester City and that of football, was successful. Twelve years after his last personal title on the European scene, seven years after his arrival on the bench of the Skyblues, the Spaniard, surprisingly calm at the final whistle, has finally succeeded in his bet to bring the City project to the roof of Europe.
Erling Haaland's tears after winning his first Champions đ„Čđ€ League #MCIINT | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/1ATnVDDnLO
â CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) June 10, 2023
If this big-eared cup seemed promised to Manchester City, the last step on this fifteen-year road to the Grail was anything but the fun part announced. On paper, City and their imposing machine promised hell to Inter. It was not so, as the Nerazzurri fought like beautiful devils and found the ingredients to upset their opponents of the evening, winners only on the smallest of margins.
Inter have shaken up all of City's plans
Especially since the bulk of this final was played without Kevin De Bruyne, injured and replaced by Foden before the break (35th). The Belgian, already out on injury during the final of 2021, could have seen his curse repeated until the end. He was fortunate, finally, to know a similar fate to Cristiano Ronaldo, during Euro 2016: that of an immensely important player who was forced to entrust the responsibility of the victory to his teammates, and who was not disappointed.
The Interists had not waited to raise their level of play. A strong, aggressive pressing, a sometimes suffocating individual marking for City's attacking players completely asphyxiated. Simone Inzaghi's men did not leave a centimetre to those of Guardiola to develop their game in this encounter which resembled, at times, more like a naval battle than a football match.
Oh the disagreement between Akanji and Ederson that almost cost Manchester City đł
dearly Pep Guardiola even ended up kneeling on the groundđ
#MCIINT | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/1GRbfOESuZ
â CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) June 10, 2023
Haaland silenced
Strangely silent in his last five games for City, Erling Haaland has been the symbol of the unexpected tactical challenge City have had to face. Completely muzzled by the black and blue defense, the Norwegian did not see the light of day. His only attempt came the only time a team-mate managed to find him deep, but his powerful strike hit the Inter keeper (27th).
It was therefore necessary to rely on Rodri, and three miracles when the bar (71st) then Ederson (89th, 90 + 5) denied the equalizing goal to Di Marco then to Lukaku and Gosens. In the depths of the Istanbul night, the Cityzens can contemplate with their fans this cup with big ears, to which they add their name and which symbolizes the apotheosis of an absolutely perfect season.
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A season of almost undivided domination, an unalterable rise in power even by its most valiant protesters. No one knows yet if this state of grace will continue for Manchester City and if they will succeed in defending this new status. One thing is certain: this Saturday night, they are a very proud European champion. As they had brilliantly won the league and the FA Cup.
TREBLE WINNERS! đđđ #ManCity | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/wW693HFoH6
â Manchester City (@ManCity) June 10, 2023
"We worked hard to be there and win this competition that we lacked, summarizes Bernardo Silva on Canal +. It's the best day of my career, I couldn't be happier. »