Manchester City will take on Inter Milan at Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey in one of the most high-profile soccer matches of the year. Manchester City is a significant favorite (-205) over Inter Milan (+500) with a draw coming in at +380.
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I’m told tonight’s watch-along event is a 6,000 sell-out inside this lively warehouse venue, with a sea of sky blue also including Norwegian flags and a giant cardboard cut-out of Kevin de Bruyne.
There is no questioning how much Manchester City and their fans want this trophy, but a few of the supporters I’ve spoken to say their biggest concern is that emotions run high and this ends up being a nervy, scrappy game.
Only one English side has ever won the big three in the same season, but having already lifted the Premier League and the FA Cup they’re one step away from joining neighbours United. But to achieve immortality they’ll need to overcome the weight of history – and a spirited Inter side.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Live Streaming, UEFA Champions League Final: Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
The Nerazzurri, who won the latest of their three Champions League titles in 2010, have kept five clean sheets in six games in this year’s knockout stages.
Pep Guardiola’s side need one more win to complete a treble which has alternately looked inevitable and impressive, with the Premier League and FA Cup already in the bag – though opponents Inter have a cup to their name too this term, having beaten Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final. They did only finish third in Serie A however, marking them out as significant underdogs in this one-off event.
Inzaghi’s men were second behind Bayern in Group C by eight points but three better than Barcelona. Inter edged out Porto in the round of 16 before coming out on top of an eight-goal quarterfinal with Benfica. Bitter rivals Milan were blown away in the semifinals to book this date with City.
They are incredibly stable and aggressive. To defend and defend, they feel comfortable. It’s cultural in Italy. I admire it. It’s not easy to do it.
City have been in sensational form in recent months, their final-day defeat to Brentford the only time they have been beaten in any competition since the beginning of February.
Having missed out on winning the title two seasons back against Chelsea in the finals, City has returned to the summit clash after beating former champions Real Madrid across two legs in the semis this time.