The biggest prize in all of club football is on the line this Saturday when Manchester City take on Inter in Istanbul in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Final. City are the firm favourites, making their second last ever appearance after losing to Chelsea in 2021. Meanwhile, Inter are back in the big game for the first time since 2010 and sixth overall, aiming to take home their fourth European title to take. They last did it 13 years ago when one Jose Mourinho led a side including Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito to the top of European football.
Here’s everything you need to know, including our expert picks:
Saturday’s broadcast schedule
Match choices
Manchester City
By James Benge
A player to watch: You may have heard of it Erling Haland. He’s very good at scoring goals and it says everything about the huge standards he’s set this season: his current four-match goalless streak is the driest spell of his first season in English football. The Norwegian arrived at City as a real goalscorer, but in recent months he has added new qualities to his game, particularly in relation to the rest of the front line. Either way, it’s putting the ball in the net that makes him one of the world’s best footballers. If Inter makes even half a mistake, it will be penalized.
Underrated X Factor: Such has been City’s dominance over the past few months that it feels like every player has had a moment to take their flowers. If you were looking for a possible exception, it could come in the form of Kyle Walker, whose explosive pace is one of the big factors of the extremely high defensive line deployed by Pep Guardiola. Inter will look for Lautaro Martinez in the back space, but Walker has shown against Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe that he can slow down even the deadliest of attackers.
The main reason why they will win: Player for player, City are undeniably superior to their opponents. They also have the better coach, more experience at this stage of the Champions League and while Inter’s attacking options are impressive, there are few players you’d rather turn to when the game goes against you than Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil. Foden. The main reason they will win then? Because they are the better team.
The main reason they will lose: The suggestion that Guardiola is his own worst enemy in the Champions League is somewhat exaggerated; the sport has done well to remember the tactical adjustments that went wrong at City and Bayern Munich, while the times he got it right were erased from their collective memory. That said, the losses to Lyon and Chelsea did indeed happen and it is very likely that Guardiola will try something different as he has had a week to think about this. It may be what wins them the game or it may cost them dearly.
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By Francesco Porzio
A player to watch: It’s the year of lautaro martinez. The Argentinian already won the 2022 World Cup this season and was a crucial player with his club throughout the Champions League campaign. In fact, Lautaro scored the decisive goal in the group stage at Camp Nou against Barcelona and then the decisive goal in the second leg of the semi-final against AC Milan. It’s his time.
Underrated X Factor: Simone Inzaghi showed that his choices can make all the difference. Players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku, who are expected to start on the bench, could become crucial in the second half. The Belgian striker became fundamental throughout the second part of the season as he came off the bench to score goals against Porto and Benfica this season.
The main reason why they will win: Inter are the underdogs of the final as the Nerazzurri are certainly not at Manchester City’s level. This is perhaps the best news for Inzaghi’s men who will not be forced to win like the Citizens and Pep Guardiola and will have less pressure to lift the trophy on Saturday. They have nothing to lose.
The main reason they will lose: Well, we all know that City are a better and stronger side. Technically, Inter cannot keep up and again this year Guardiola’s team can count on Erling Haaland, one of the best strikers in the world.
Predictions
James Benge: City have the quality and assurance to assert themselves from the start and for all Inter’s qualities in midfield, it’s impossible to see this being anything other than a match where Guardiola’s side dominate the ball. In those circumstances, an early goal could lead to a rather disappointing final, with City relying on a defense that is one of the best the league has ever seen to fight their way to a convincing and controlled victory. Choice: Manchester City 2, Inter 0
Chuck Booth: Behind a wave of great saves from Andre Onana, Inter will do everything they can to push Manchester City to the brink, but it won’t be enough as Pep Guardiola’s machine will prevail in a penalty shootout. Choice: Manchester City 1, Inter 1 (City on penalties)
Roger Gonzalez: Haaland is the most dominant attacker in the world and on Saturday he will once again show why. City finally gets it done. Choice: Manchester City 2, Inter 1
Jonathan Johnson: Inter certainly have the potential to wreak havoc on City, but Guardiola’s men should finally win this coveted UCL success for him. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if we played longer than 90 minutes, but City should almost eclipse it. Select: City 2, Inter 1.
Francis Porzio: Even if it won’t be as easy for Manchester City as we can imagine, the team coached by Guardiola should manage, especially when Inter will try to be more attacking in the second half and leave some open spaces. Then City will win. Choose: City 3, Inter 1.