The last time a team began a Champions League final as unfancied as Inter Milan, we were also in Istanbul.
Eighteen years ago, Liverpool played AC Milan here having not even finished in the top four of the Premier League — and we all know what happened.
For Inter, Italy’s third-best team, the scale of the task against Manchester City is clear.
Some bookmakers are offering odds as generous as 4-1, which is quite something in a two-horse race. But just as Liverpool triumphed in the Ataturk Stadium in 2005, so Inter have travelled here in hope this time.
‘This is a huge opportunity for us to rewrite history,’ said coach Simone Inzaghi. ‘We know how difficult it’s going to be. You say we are underrated and it’s an important point. We have played 56 matches this season and this will be the 57th. We have had difficult moments, injuries and defeats. But we stayed together and showed heart and commitment. That commitment has got us here to Istanbul.’
Inter’s road to Turkey was not as serene as City’s. They lost home and away in their group against Bayern Munich and were presented with the easier side of the knockout draw, beating Porto and Benfica to reach their epic semi-final with Milan at the San Siro.
‘The two games in the semi-final really embodied what we are,’ said Inzaghi, manager at Inter for two years. ‘We have never felt alone all this season and we must win this now for our fans.
‘I am at the helm of a group of real men. I would not change them for anybody else. They have given me so much joy. We will rely on our fitness, our legs and our hearts. Our approach will be crucial. We must put all our hearts into this game.’
Inter trained here last night in relatively mild early summer temperatures after briefly getting stuck in traffic on the way to the stadium. Better to have that hiccup on the eve of the game than on match day.
In terms of their tactics, Inzaghi said last night that his team would attempt to press City when possible high up the field. In terms of matters in their own half, City striker Erling Haaland presents the most obvious threat.
‘Yes, we have a special idea for him,’ said Inzaghi. ‘We have set up something. We have prepared something.
‘The whole team will have to handle not only Erling Haaland but the whole of the City team. But we can do it.’
Inter have their own history in this competition, even if their three triumphs pale when set next to their neighbours’ seven. It is three more than City, though, and the pressure felt by an English team desperate to enter new territory and also clinch a Treble this evening may yet be the Italians’ greatest weapon.
There is no expectation on Inzaghi and his players. This is, to some extent, a free hit. ‘We are calm and we are ready,’ said the Inter boss.
Pass2Pogba
0
lol clown this is not your English class I will use whatever spelling I wish to u can cry 😭 if u like I will still use park lol u still lost with all the bus u park in your own half the whole match lol now cry 😭
Well, since it's not a class. you can talk to someone else. I can't understand what you are trying to write here. spelling? I fact there correct it's the grammatical problem you have . not making sense.
Yebbcdsz
0
56 matches played .well city played around 60 matches .
sarabia007
0
is this all u do on here, insult others, Mr. Nigerian? It's a shame to see such on the Internet big mouth giving Nigerians a bad name. anyway, it's called Park the bus. not pack the DHL package. how is a 1 goal difference a park the bus game? ETH doesn't do the same as Mourinho tactic. we gave all we had with injuiries . we almost levelled the score if you even watched .
lol clown this is not your English class I will use whatever spelling I wish to u can cry 😭 if u like I will still use park lol u still lost with all the bus u park in your own half the whole match lol now cry 😭
Pass2Pogba
0
u are really on drugs what happened after u packed the bus and soaked the pressure against man city yet they banged u and you are here to give inter advice lol
is this all u do on here, insult others, Mr. Nigerian? It's a shame to see such on the Internet big mouth giving Nigerians a bad name. anyway, it's called Park the bus. not pack the DHL package. how is a 1 goal difference a park the bus game? ETH doesn't do the same as Mourinho tactic. we gave all we had with injuiries . we almost levelled the score if you even watched .
sarabia007
0
Read comments? I was the 2nd to post . nothing to read. wtf r u on about? it's not easy to stop one player is the point of the conversation. 🤦♂️
u are really on drugs what happened after u packed the bus and soaked the pressure against man city yet they banged u and you are here to give inter advice lol
Pass2Pogba
0
I think u should read both the comment and reply properly with your head not your pained bias heart
Read comments? I was the 2nd to post . nothing to read. wtf r u on about? it's not easy to stop one player is the point of the conversation. 🤦♂️
Pass2Pogba
0
Quotes are not to be taken literally my dear boy
exactly. that's why you replied and got punched in the face . 🤦♂️😂
femikmoty
1
Real Madrid was able to stop Haaland but ended up losing 4 -0
faodenprty
0
REMEMBER, HAAALAND TRASHED RB LEIPZIG, DEBRUYN & SILVER TRASHED MADRID HOME AND AWAY, GUNDOGAN TRASHED MAN U AND GRILISH SCATTERED ALL THE DEFENDERS DURING THE MATCH AND MADE 35 CREATES WHICH CONVERTED TO GOALS. IN FACT, TO STOP CITY FROM SCORING IS THE SAME AS TRY TO COMMIT A SUICIDE. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THEM. IF YOU FORGET, GO ASK MAN U, MADRID OR MUNICH...
ask brentford
faodenprty
1
after the madrid game city is not looking the same team the weight is to much for them inter 2.city 1laturo with the winner
Hameddonzo
2
Inter 2 -1 Man city. Haaland 1 Lucaku 1, Lautaro Javier 1.
Yuabcdmnty
2
City is now using Haaland and KDB to drag CBs and CDM out of position. More oftentimes KDB is dropping deep and sideways. Haaland also moves sideways constantly dragging CBs out of position then Bernado and Gundogan moves in centrally ----
Dakbciuz
0
Mistake number when play City don't target one person because everyone scores.
✍️✍️✍️ they are joking for sure, the rest will score
Yuabcdmnty
0
Not stopping halaand but De Bruyne, halaand can't do anything thing
even if you pocket Debryne and Haaland. Bernado and Gundogan will be scoring with easy. In FA cup final Haaland was dragging Man U defenders out of position by his movement sideways - creating spaces for Bernado, Grealish and Gundo. KDB constantly dropped deep dragging Casamero and Fred out of position too
Dakbciuz
0
REMEMBER, HAAALAND TRASHED RB LEIPZIG, DEBRUYN & SILVER TRASHED MADRID HOME AND AWAY, GUNDOGAN TRASHED MAN U AND GRILISH SCATTERED ALL THE DEFENDERS DURING THE MATCH AND MADE 35 CREATES WHICH CONVERTED TO GOALS. IN FACT, TO STOP CITY FROM SCORING IS THE SAME AS TRY TO COMMIT A SUICIDE. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THEM. IF YOU FORGET, GO ASK MAN U, MADRID OR MUNICH...
Real facts dear 💪💪💪
Dakbciuz
0
Yeah let them stop Hasland, Debruyne, Benardo and Gundogan will do confusion to their defenders 🍸🍸
Kelliho1-FCB
2
Man city winning 🏆
Mepcdlotu
0
oky debrune scores today
cuabdeksuz
0
Nothing special about Haaland just mark De bruyne and Gundogan😒
Arsenal did that and Haaland replied with 2 assist
Vicsammy
0
Go and mark them
😂don’t be angry
bizeikpt
0
please beat then
haaland please score 👊👊👊👊
bizeikpt
1
please beat then
Bubimnoz
3
REMEMBER, HAAALAND TRASHED RB LEIPZIG, DEBRUYN & SILVER TRASHED MADRID HOME AND AWAY, GUNDOGAN TRASHED MAN U AND GRILISH SCATTERED ALL THE DEFENDERS DURING THE MATCH AND MADE 35 CREATES WHICH CONVERTED TO GOALS. IN FACT, TO STOP CITY FROM SCORING IS THE SAME AS TRY TO COMMIT A SUICIDE. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THEM. IF YOU FORGET, GO ASK MAN U, MADRID OR MUNICH...
josilva877
0
Inter Milan all the way, this game is clean sheet, Inter Milan 1vs 0 Manchester City. it not city time yet
Bubimnoz
1
For man u and Madrid spotters who also support Milan today, do you mean lnter is better than your teams and Bayern Munich as well? Or you just turned BLIND, or you missed your mind?
SteveSam707
0
Forget haaland one player can handle him... But KVB and B. Silva are the threats
Did he scored against us in the FA cup final??
Ikemason
1
It is difficult to try to stop him over 90mins. They should do their to typical Italian thing, soak pressure, strike and counter .
Why didn’t you soak pressure during the fa cup😂😂😂 you are just jealous
Ikemason
0
Forget haaland one player can handle him... But KVB and B. Silva are the threats
Why didn’t your players handle him😂😂
Ikemason
0
Nothing special about Haaland just mark De bruyne and Gundogan😒
Go and mark them
Fibdlopru
2
Real said the same thing but failed
PapG10
2
Mistake number when play City don't target one person because everyone scores.
AndroG
0
Both team deserve trophy hoping for best game today best team will win today
Strongdadi1123
0
you're planning wrong things already by trying to stop haaland. The whole squad are match winners..ask man u, Madrid they will tell you that.
He said they have a special plan to stop Haaland, but not only Haaland but the whole City players, read the article properly, peace ✌🏻
Hanadklnor
0
Not stopping halaand but De Bruyne, halaand can't do anything thing
Betabilsy
1
that's what pep want so he can use Ikay and Kdb on them
fuuablmnor
0
when playing final why do u have to talk too much before the match
appiah92
1
this guy is talking plenty.
Vicsammy
1
Nothing special about Haaland just mark De bruyne and Gundogan😒
donjoemerald
0
Erlin haaland shouldn't be your priority, If you focus on him, Foden, Gundogan and others will do the job easily. Play a boring game and counterattack to score them first, then defend. 352 formation should be used.
Zetacdelsy
2
the same talk talk wey ten haag do before fa Cup final.
Viudikoy
0
Italian job tonight
koybdlsty
1
Yeah tripling him like Madrid did and leave spagetti for other who will punish them for that
Fvar4ever
2
My response to there plan, two red cards and a few penalties will be the result of trying to stop Haaland
SteveSam707
2
Forget haaland one player can handle him... But KVB and B. Silva are the threats
sarabia007
0
This post is about stopping Haaland. Only
I think u should read both the comment and reply properly with your head not your pained bias heart
zozdelprsz
1
Winning City today can't happen whether you plan
Amazing_Blaze
5
I thought they have plans to stop City not knowing is Haland
ShubhankurSharma
0
Inter can hire Rudiger to know the way to stop haland
You remember rudiger was on the field when kdb silenced the bernabeu, and city scored 2 goals at Etihad too.
kayeilry
3
stopping Haaland wouldn't be enough... man city players .. anyone can score
Pumklopu
5
you cannot hold haaland only. nowadays even stones will come from midfield and score