Champions League: Manchester City and Inter Milan meet in Istanbul on Saturday in the final of Europe’s topmost-level competition. Pep Guardiola will chase the second treble of his managerial career. Manchester City will chase their first-ever Champions League trophy and treble. Inter Milan will not only try their hardest to stop Man City on their tracks, but they will also chase their fourth Champions League trophy. Former Barcelona, ATK, and Goa player Jofre Mateu discuss his views on the season’s most-awaited fixture. Follow UEFA Champions League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
On what Manchester City’s treble win could mean
Manchester City have already collected two major trophies – the Premier League and FA Cup this season. If they win this weekend, they will win the Champions League for the first time in their history. They will also write their name on the very few teams who have achieved the amazing feat of winning the treble. This will also be the second treble in Man City coach Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. Jofre Mateu says this will not make him the best coach because he already is the best.
Mateu said, “My thought is that he already is he doesn’t need the title. I think Guardiola is the best coach because, you know, football is not about only titles… I guess Guardiola with top teams winning the leagues – Premier League and Bundesliga. If he’s not in the finals, he’s finishing second or very close to the final… in terms of titles, in average, comparing with other coaches he already is the best coach… but even if he didn’t, I think the way he changed football, I think there’s no discussion of that.”
Mateu talked about how Guardiola’s Man City team compares to his treble-winning Barcelona team. He said, “I think it’s tough to compare you know, because it’s not only about Guardiola’s football evolution and different players, but at that time, I think Barca’s superiority, it was an explosion because it was new. Now, these days, Manchester City is not playing something new you know, ball possession, high pressure is something that is copied by that time starting with Guardiola’s and that Barca team in 2008-09.”
Also read: Ashley Westwood speaks about Manchester City & Inter Milan’s chances in Champions League final
On how Inter Milan could use Man City’s pressure of chasing treble
Inter Milan are on their way to win a double of their own. They ended Serie A in 3rd position in the league table. They won the Coppa Italia by winning 1-2 against this year’s Europa League runners-up Fiorentina in late May. However, the odds are not in their favour as they will take on Man City. Man City are in terrific form and Inter only have one thing they can use against them. The pressure of acquiring the treble could become too much for Man City.
Mateu discussed how Inter Milan could be using that pressure to their advantage. He said, “Yes, always you know, final against an Italian Club, where they are a specialist on adding some nerves because they are going to resist during the game, if you are not able to score or to achieve the context that you are feeling comfortable. Of course, the Italians are very good at this and I think they are thinking on this plan. But, in my opinion, Manchester City are capable.”
Watch the LIVE coverage of UEFA Champions League 2022- 23 final: Manchester City vs Inter Milan on Sony Sports Ten 2 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels on 11th June 2023 from 12.30 am IST.
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