Inter Milan and Manchester City fans have lit the city of Istanbul with a typical festive atmosphere ahead of the Champions League final clash against Manchester City.
Inter Milan fans with Manchester City fans, numbering in thousands, were spotted in Istanbul in high spirits ahead of the rollercoaster clash against the Premier League champions.
It was a buzz all through in Istanbul as supporters of the two big clubs in Europe took to the streets of Istanbul before heading to greet their players in training ahead of the match.
The two teams had arrived Istanbul ahead of the highly-awaited clash with their coaches putting them through paces and warm ups at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
While Manchester City are making it to their second Champions League final in three years, it has been over a decade since Inter Milan hit the final of the elite club competition in Europe.
The Nerazzuri were guided to their last Champions League final in 2010 by current Roma manager Jose Mourinho. They edged out Bayern Munich 2-0 to clinch the trophy – their third Champions League title.
After seeing off bitter noisy neighbors, AC Milan, to reach their first Champions League final in 13 years, Inter Milan fans left no stone unturned celebrating the feat and they have taken their celebrations to Istanbul.
The Serie A fans crammed into the streets of Istanbul in large numbers singing and roaring before heading to the Ataturk Stadium to cheer the players in training.
After cheering the players in training, they headed to the team’s hotel still in their huge numbers.
Footages on social media shows a swarm of Inter Milan fans shouting, singing, and clapping at the team’s hotel while awaiting the return of players from the camp.
There were concerns of a possible breach of security protocol with the security operatives on alert to set boundaries and limit access to the hotel.
However, a handful of fans were able to sneak through the barricades and enter the lobby of the facility and continue roaring with others.
The fans recreated a typical Serie A matchday atmosphere at the facility with their uproar. Most were well kitted with Inter Milan kits while others kept a slight distance from the noise and filmed the event as it unfolded less than 24 hours before the Champions League final.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan players were yet to return from their camp but it has been confirmed the security operatives and the hotel staff did not dissuade the fans from the facility after they sneaked in.
Sources close to Inter Milan camp later revealed the players had arrived back from camp but it is not unconfirmed they met the fans at the facility or not.
Unlike fans’ matches and processions before key games, no riot or outbreak of violence has been reported so far.
Inter Milan will clash with Premier League champions Manchester City to decide the winner of the 2022/23 Champions League final.
The match will kick off by 19:00GMT at Ataturk Olympic stadium, Istanbul Turkey.
