Manchester City have ended their wait for a first Champions League title in style as they defeated Inter Milan to hit a historic treble.
Manchester City starting lineup: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Sylva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
Inter Milan starting lineup: Onana; Bastoni, Darmian, Acerbi; Dimarco, Calhanouglu, Brozovic, Barella, Dumfries; Martinez, Dzeko
Manchester City started the game on the front foot but were effectively contained by the Serie A giants.
It was a tactically cagey and dragging start for both sides. Manchester City dominated proceedings going forward.
They posed no real threat up the Inter Milan box despite a full scale charge on the Serie A giants from the start.
City’s first chance came in the 20th minutes when Gundogan tore the Inter defense apart with a nice quick one-two to set up Erling Haaland. After leading a speedy charge down Inter’s box, the Norwegian’s left-footed strike – City’s first real threat after a marathon of pressure – hit and bounced off Andre Onana’s limbs.
Inter Milan lost possession to the Premier League champions as they struggled to match their domineering display but the Serie A giants were strong at the defense.
Manchester City were hit with Kevin De Bruyne injury early in the first half after the latter suffered a harmstring injury and could not continue with the game.
It was a disappointing outing for the Belgian playmaker as he had to be hurled off prematurely in such a high-profile game.
Pep Guardiola took him off for Phil Foden with City still pressing down the neck of Inter in search for an opening goal.
Despite playing the ball entirely in Inter Milan’s half, Manchester City hit a death end while trying to break through the Nerazzuri’s brick wall backline to drop the curtain-raiser.
Simone Inzaghi seems gratified at the touchlines as his team battled off City’s charge while Pep Guardiola hovered impatiently on the touchline while dishing out instructions to the players.
Brozovic, Dumfries, Barella played more of defensive roles helping to close up the wings and seemingly getting the better of Jack Grealish on the left-wing, while Dimarco and Calhanouglu neutralized IIkay Gundogan and Rodri, cutting supplies to Erling Haaland.
Inter Milan perfectly matched the challenge, rounding off City’s offensives while waiting to hit back through counters.
The Nerazzuri did not have a single attempt on target but made the first 45 minutes of the game a difficult adventure for the Premier League champions.
It was still goalless at the break with few chances for City while Inter recorded no single attempt on target but still held their threats on counter.
Manchester City ramped up pressure early in the second half.
Inter lost frontline attacker and former Manchester City star Edin Dzeko to injury early in the second half with Chelsea loanee Lukaku immediately brought on to replace him.
In the 57th minute, a shocking defensive blunder nearly saw City concede against the run of play with Akanji and Ederson foundering with a poor pass which was intercepted by Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentinian had only Ederson and the post to beat but ended up having his attempt blocked by Ederson.
Few minutes later, Bernardo Silva had a swathe of space down the right flank and got an overlap by Rodri but the later’s cross was blocked by Bastoni.
Manchester City take the lead!!
After a marathon of pressure by the Premier League Champions, Rodri stepped up to the mark for Manchester City in the 67th minute with a lovely and delicate right-footed finish.
It was Akanji who started the move locating Silva in the right, who then crossed into the middle.
The cross deflected off Darmian onto the path of Rodri who slotted home a low shot pass a clueless Onana into the back of the net. It was a deserved lead for a domineering City side.
After breaking the goal deadlock, City were still on top of their game. Phil Foden nearly doubled the lead for Manchester City when he charged with speed into the Inter Milan box but his low shot was saved by Andre Onana.
Both sides made late substitutions with few minutes left for City to clinch their historic treble.
Manchester City survived two late attempts by Inter Milan with Ederson producing a stunning last minute save to deny Lukaku’s header.
Ederson also pointed out a last-minute cornerkick to deny Inter Milan as the referee blew the final whistle.
Coach Pep Guardiola led Manchester City to win their first Champions League title in the club’s history, winning it in style with a historic treble.
