Manchester City-Inter, who could decide the Champions League final? Here’s what the bookmakers are saying: it’s not just Haaland.
Istanbul caput mundi. For one night, the Turkish metropolis will become the centre of the planet thanks to the Champions League final. The Ataturk Olympic Stadium hosts the match that closes, as usual, the football season. It will be Inter Milan’s turn to attempt the feat against the strong Manchester City, who return to play in the final of the cup with the big ears 13 years after the last time, since the mythological Triplete.
Triplete – or rather, in this case, better to call it Treble – which Pep Guardiola’s battleship could achieve this time around: if it beats the Nerazzurri, it would become the second English club to do so after their cousins Manchester United, so far the only ones to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same year. Rarely in recent years have we witnessed a final so unbalanced – the bookmakers’ odds speak for themselves – in terms of predictions, clearly in City’s favour. However, anything can happen in a blind draw, and we are sure that Simone Inzaghi’s men will take their chances against the ‘perfect machine’ built by the Catalan coach.
Manchester City-Inter, Gundogan is ‘on fire’ but also watch out for former Dzeko
In this post we’ll try to find out who could end up on the scorers’ sheet, who will be most dangerous and what the bookmakers are saying about them. The number one suspect, needless to say, is Erling Haaland.
Gundogan and Haaland
Premier League top scorer with 36 goals, both in the league and in the Champions League the former Borussia Dortmund slinger has been a smash hit. For Inter, he is undoubtedly the main danger, the player to be limited at all costs. The statistics tell us, however, that the Norwegian has particularly ‘suffered’ this year – so to speak – those teams that use a three-man defence. As for Manchester City in any case, they are spoilt for choice. “On fire’ at the moment is Ilkay Gundogan: despite having his suitcase in hand, the experienced German all-rounder has just scored two goals in the FA Cup final, won 2-1 against Manchester United. His insertions could be lethal, as well as those of Kevin De Bruyne, another staple in Guardiola’s chessboard.
The Belgian national, a possible key man thanks to his vision of the game, should shoot towards goal on at least two occasions. Two names that are expendable who would instead bet on shots on goal are those of Rodri and Bernardo Silva: the Portuguese is a de facto additional striker. In Inter, who will try to hurt with the weapon of the counterattack and fast restarts, one of the possible scorers is obviously Lautaro Martinez. But also watch out for ex-rookie Dzeko, whose experience could trouble the Citizens’ defence. Finally, Dimarco’s runs on the left will be fundamental: the Nerazzurri’s often dangerous outside player will probably trouble Ederson at least once.
