Asks Allan la Rose
It is no secret who is the overwhelming global favorite to lift the prestigious UEFA’s Champions League (UCL) “Big Ears” Cup when the final of the 68th edition is played in Istanbul today.
The favourite is Manchester City while their opponents Inter Mi8lan can be viewed as the dark horse.
Considered by millions of football knowledgeables and followers as the best club unit in the World currently, Manchester City continues its quest to conquer Europe. After failing in their first finals appearance two years ago to Chelsea and then being humbled last year by UCL’s winningest team, Real Madrid, coach Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola and his charges, feel confident that this is their time since they outclassed their nemesis to qualify for only their second championship game.
Following their 4-0 humiliation of 14-time Champions Real Madrid, the 52-year-old Pep emphatically declared:”To win the Champions League you have got to beat Real Madrid.”
Add to this motivation, the “Citizens”, as they are referred to, were recently crowned FA Champions and also captured the English Premier League(EPL) for the third consective year and are now on the cusp of completing the historic treble and joining Manchester United.
The highly-talented cast assembled by the Spanish tactician, plays confident and exhilarating in their ball-possession/high-pressing game, and with an ever-thirsty goalscorer in Erling Haaland, who in his first year with City has raised the goalscoring bar in Europe with a hefty tally of 51 goals to date, few will bet against City becoming the sixth English team to win the coveted cup. At 22 years and 272 days Haaland has established 2 new UCL records: fastest and youngest player to net 35 goals.
Midfield trio, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernado Da
Silva and Captain Ikay Gundogan are also capable of creating and scoring quality goals. So too are wide-men, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez as well as defenders Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
The key component of the eleven must be utility John Stones who plays a double pivot role and adds to the attack and pressing in opponents half. The well-oiled unit in search of win number eight can join the elite group of teams to be crowned as football kings of UCL, undefeated in a campaign.
While very little is being talked about on the chances of Inter Milan one cannot write them off as they seek their fourth title in their sixth finals appearance.
In contrast, the Simone Inzaghi-coached Inter squad is far less flamboyant, but known for stout defending and quick counter attacks. The 3-5-2 formation will be fully tested, especially full-backs Daniel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco. Although they had five clean sheets in the knockout stage, they will be confronting a composition like never before.
The biggest threat to City’s custodian Ederson will be Argentine, Lautaro Martinez who so far has netted 25 times in 49 games. He will have Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku to team up with. The packed midfield will be led by deep-lying playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu and is expected to include Nicolo Barella, Milan Skriniar, Marcelo Brozovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Nerazzurris, despite a less consistent season in Italy have won two Cups and are also in sight of a treble after securing titles in the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup. In addition they had five clean sheets in the knockout stage to underline their strength in defence.
The underdogs cannot match their opposition in talent or flair and likewise the Citizens are nowhere near European success like Inter. What is certain is that Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium will be packed with fans and followers of both teams when the whistle to kick-off the match is blown at 10:00 hrs Guyana time.
Today though, it will be who turns up and puts away the opportunities presented. Could City become the 23rd Champion of UCL? I think so. However, I would not be surprised if Inter makes a mockery of widespread prediction or even if it gets to a sixth extra-time finish or 12th penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome.
