Manchester City will face Inter in the 2022/23 Champions League final in Istanbul. Let’s look at some of the stats Ahead of the showpiece.
Premier League champions Manchester City are gunning for a historical treble to make this season the most successful one of their club’s history. Having also lifted the FA Cup last weekend and staying unbeaten in 25 of their last 26 matches, City are optimistic about their chances. They want to emulate their rivals Manchester United’s treble success in 1999. Pep Guardiola’s men came closer to winning this competition they haven’t won yet in 2021 only to be beaten by another English side Chelsea. It is time for them to finally quench their thirst.
Their opposition, Inter have more history in the Champions League having won it three times. The Nerazzuri are hoping to snap the tag of favorites from City and reward their rise to prominence over the years. Simone Inzaghi’s side has made it to this stage probably against the odds and their win will be prestigious. A nod to the era that was not immersed into rapid commercializing and money power in the game. This will be the first trophy for Inter since 2010 if they are to win it.
Champions League Final Facts
The First
This is the first-ever meeting between Manchester City and Inter. It is also the first time the first competitive meeting between two sides has happened in a Champions League final since Liverpool faced AC Milan in the 2005 final also played at Istanbul.
Four Galore
There have been four meetings between English and Italian teams in the European Cup/Champions League stage with Liverpool being the representative from England every time. The Reds triumphed against Roma (1984) and Milan (2005) while losing another final to the Rossoneri in 2007 and against Juventus in 1985.
History Making
Manchester City are in their third major European finals after winning the 1970 Cup Winner’s Cup against Gornik Zabrze of Poland and losing the Champions League final in 2021 to fellow Premier League side Chelsea.
Royalty
Inter are in their 11th major European final which is the third most by any Italian side after rivals AC Milan (14) and Juventus (16). It is their first since losing to Sevilla in the 2019/20 Europa League and only their second Champions League final appearance since 2010 when they beat Bayern Munich.
Treble Breakers
The Nerazzuri have won the Champions League three times in their history and each time they have ended the opposition’s treble bid of that season. In 1964, Inter famously ended Real Madrid’s quest while also triumphing in 1965 against the renowned Benfica team and doing it against the German team more than a decade ago. However, every time they have lost in the final, their opponent has gone on to become a treble winner.
English Magic
City are aiming to be the fourth English side to clinch the Champions League title following their rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. The current total of three is the joint-most by any nation along with Italy so a win for them will put England on top of the list.
City Joy
Manchester could become only the second-ever city with two Champions League/European Cup-winning clubs with the other being Milan incidentally.
Fourth
This is the fourth time Pep Guardiola will manage a Champions League final, two with Barcelona and now two with Manchester City. Only Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid has managed more than the Spaniard with five.
The Sixth
Simone Inzaghi will be the sixth different Italian to take charge of a team in a UEFA Champions League final after Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello, Marcelo Lippi, Roberto Di Matteo and Max Allegri. This is the joint-most manager from a single nation appearing in the Champions League final along with Germany.
Veteran
Edin Dzeko could become the oldest footballer to score in a final in the Champions League era at the age of 37.
Shut-out Kings
Andre Onana’s excellence and dogged defensive five have kept five clean sheets in six Champions League knockout matches for Inter. Only 2006 finalists Arsenal have earned more at this stage.
Goals and goals
Erling Haaland could overtake Manchester United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s 12 goals tally in a single Champions League campaign for an English side.
In-form
Inter have won 11 of their last 12 matches across all competitions with the only loss coming to Serie A winners Napoli towards the end of the league season. They have only failed to score once in the last 17.
Losers again?
Inzaghi’s men are only the fourth side to have reached the Champions League final after losing the opening group stage game of that season. Milan in 1994-95, Bayern Munich in 1998-99 and Tottenham in 2018-19 have all done the same previously. However, neither went on to lift the trophy.
Elite
Julian Alvarez could become only the fourth footballer to have won the World Cup, Copa America, Copa Libertadores and the Champions League. The 23-year-old will be the first Argentinian player to do so after three Brazilian greats in Cafu, Dida and Ronaldinho.
