Manchester City etched their name in football history with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League final held in Istanbul. Rodri’s precise side-footed finish in the second half broke Inter’s resilient defense, and despite a close call from Federico Dimarco’s header hitting the crossbar and a sensational save by Ederson to deny Romelu Lukaku, City held on to claim a momentous triumph at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
Having already secured the Premier League title by surpassing Arsenal and lifted the FA Cup at Wembley after defeating Manchester United, this win saw City emulate the accomplishment of their local rivals from 1999. Pep Guardiola, their esteemed manager, was overwhelmed with emotions and shed tears of joy after the final whistle.
For Guardiola, this victory culminated in a 12-year wait to secure the prestigious trophy for the third time as a coach and the fourth time overall. Throughout his tenure at City, he has achieved a plethora of honors, but this elusive European triumph was the one that had eluded them until now.
The road to victory in Turkey was riddled with tension and adversity. It was a tightly contested affair, brimming with uncertainty and difficulty. City faced a setback in the first half when Kevin De Bruyne was forced off the field due to injury, marking the second time in three seasons that he had to leave a Champions League final with the outcome hanging in the balance.
Ederson, the City goalkeeper, displayed early nerves and moments of sloppiness, potentially influenced by the magnitude of the occasion. Rodri struggled with misplaced passes, while Erling Haaland had a promising opportunity but saw his shot saved by the organized Inter defense. City’s best chance in the opening 45 minutes highlighted the resilience of their opponents.
The task became even more arduous when Lukaku replaced Edin Dzeko, and Inter came close to taking the lead when Lautaro Martinez was denied by Ederson from a tight angle, courtesy of Manuel Akanji’s inexplicable lapse in concentration. Guardiola found himself on his knees, consumed by despair.
However, the tide turned in favor of City. Akanji delivered a perfectly timed pass to Bernardo Silva, whose cut-back deflected fortuitously into the path of Rodri. With composure and precision, the midfielder slotted the ball beyond two Inter defenders and into the corner of the net, finally breaking the deadlock.
Rodri’s goal instantly etched itself into the annals of City’s history, joining the ranks of Sergio Aguero’s iconic title-winning strike from 11 years prior. Yet, the drama was far from over.
Dimarco capitalized on uncertainty within City’s box, and his looping header struck the crossbar, leaving Ederson helpless. In a subsequent opportunity, Dimarco’s header struck Lukaku’s legs. City breathed a sigh of relief, escaping unscathed from potential setbacks.
In the dying minutes, Lukaku had a clear chance to level the score. Robin Gosens delivered a precise cross, and the striker found himself in a close-range position against Ederson. Lukaku’s header was powerful, but it lacked precision, as the goalkeeper produced an astonishing save to deny Inter the equalizer.
Ederson’s extraordinary save will be immortalized and fondly remembered for years to come, just like this unforgettable night in which Manchester City were crowned champions of Europe. The treble is now firmly in their grasp.
Reflecting on the match, Guardiola conveyed his emotions to BT Sport, stating, “In the first half, we were so anxious. We struggled to find the free man, John Stones. However, it was a matter of patience. I reminded the team at halftime that in the previous final in Porto, we were 1-0 down, and now it was 0-0. We made some adjustments, but in this competition, luck plays a significant role.”
He continued, “In the end, Ederson made a great save, they misfired, and they could have equalized. Maybe Phil Foden could have scored the second goal. This competition is akin to a coin toss. But we were there. I believe it was destined for us to win this season, and we achieved it.”
When asked about the factors that set this team apart after years of falling short, Guardiola highlighted their improved defensive solidity. With four reliable central defenders in their ranks, even when mistakes occur, there is a sense of solidity within the team.
This achievement completes the treble for City, with Guardiola emphasizing the significance of their momentum. “It all started with winning the Premier League, followed by the FA Cup, and now we finish it here,” he added. “Winning this competition and the treble is an incredibly difficult feat, and that’s why the manner of victory is not important today. What matters is that we did it.”
