Man City 1-0 Inter Milan LIVE! Champions League final result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Manchester City vs Inter Milan - LIVE!

Manchester City lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time and in doing so sealed the Treble as Rodri’s strike proved enough to beat Inter Milan. With the Premier League and FA Cup already in the bag, Pep Guardiola’s side arrived in Istanbul looking to finally secure European glory, one that would see them match Manchester United’s achievements in the 1998/99 season.

It was not a Champions League final to remember, Inter for much of the night successful in stifling City and defying any suggestion that this would be a procession for the favourites, but they could not maintain the effort for the full 90 minutes. Just over midway through the second-half, Bernardo Silva’s cut-back deflected out to the edge of the box and Rodri was there, running onto it and firing the finish into the bottom corner.

City rode their luck in the 20 minutes that remained, Federico Dimarco hitting the woodwork and Romelu Lukaku finding Ederson’s knee in his way in the closing stages, but they held firm to reach the summit of club football.

Man City vs Inter Milan latest news

• City confirm parade plans

• Guardiola: It was written in the stars

• Man City player ratings

• Full match report

Manchester City FC 1 - 0 FC Internazionale Milano

Full match report as Man City win the Champions League

00:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

Manchester City lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time and in doing so sealed the Treble as Rodri’s strike proved enough to beat Inter Milan.

With the Premier League and FA Cup already in the bag, Pep Guardiola’s side arrived in Istanbul looking to finally secure European glory, one that would see them match Manchester United’s achievements in the 1998/99 season.

Read our full match report here!

Guardiola responds to classy Ferguson gesture before Man City win treble

00:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

Pep Guardiola says it is an “honour” to have equalled the achievement of Sir Alex Ferguson in winning the treble.

Manchester City finally captured the one trophy to have eluded them thus far with a nervy win over Inter Milan in Istanbul.

A second-half strike from Rodri and two stunning saves from goalkeeper Ederson proved enough to ensure City matched bitter rivals Manchester United in winning the treble.

Manchester now follows Milan in being the only city to have two teams who have lifted the Champions League.

Read the full story here!

Leroy Sane responds after Manchester City win Champions League to seal treble

23:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

Leroy Sane was amongst the first to congratulate former club Manchester City after they won the Champions League for the first time.

The German, who left the club after four years in the summer of 2020, was part of a number of City sides under Pep Guardiola who had struggled to translate their domestic dominance into European success.

Read the full story here!

Guardiola: Man City’s ultimate glory ‘written in the stars’

23:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s Champions League was “written in the stars”.

The club conquered the continent for the first time, adding an elusive European crown to go along with the raft of domestic honours they have lifted over the last 15 years.

City were far from at their best in Istanbul but Rodri’s second-half strike, the goal City have been chasing for 15 years, was enough to overcome the challenge of Inter Milan.

Read the full story here!

Walker: My dream has come true

23:02 , Matt Verri

“My dream has come true, to achieve this with this club,” he tells BT Sport. “To achieve a Treble is unbelievable.

“I’m always going to be disappointed when I’m not playing but I’m 33. My example sets to the younger lads. I made a speech before they went out. This club means so much to me. To experience what I’ve experienced, I’m forever in debt.

“I said my dream is in your hands. No pressure. You can’t say Inter deserved it more than we did or we deserved it more than they did. We’re both here by merit. There has to be a loser.

“Emotions played a part. The occasion is obviously going to get to you. I got a silver one last time so to get a gold one is fantastic.”

Pure chaos!

22:53 , Matt Verri

De Bruyne explains first-half substitution

22:44 , Matt Verri

“It’s been a hard two months,” De Bruyne tells BT Sport.

“I’ve got a lot of issues with my hamstring. It snapped. I did everything to be okay. I felt really good in the first half an hour. The team is good enough.”

Reaction from Stones

22:38 , Matt Verri

“We’re only the second team to do the Treble. Both are so special in their own rights in different eras. I’m holding words back because I’m on camera, put it that way.

“We’ve set the bar high now. After this season, from where we were in the Premier League, to bring it back, win the FA Cup then come here and win this, I can’t put it into words.

“I played more like a No. 8 today which I loved. I’m still learning. I don’t think I’m the best there but I gave it my all. I thought it paid off. We created chances and there were key moments. Ederson saved that one at the end. Now we can have a good chat about us actually winning this.”

Parade plans confirmed

22:30 , Matt Verri

Manchester City have confirmed the details for their trophy parade after winning the Champions League.

“The squad will travel back to Manchester on Sunday afternoon, flying on a unique Club-liveried Etihad Airways Boeing 797-9 Dreamliner,” read a statement.

“They will then celebrate the historic achievement with an open-top bus parade through Manchester City Centre on Monday 12 June.

“Guardiola, his players and his backroom staff will depart from Tonman Street, Deansgate, at approximately 6:30pm and travel to St Mary’s Gate. The parade will then travel through Cross Street and Kings Street, before finishing on Princess Street where a live stage show will take place.”

THE moment

22:22 , Matt Verri

Istanbul specialist...

22:19 , Matt Verri

Scott Carson. Take a bow.

He won the Champions League final in 2005 with Liverpool in Istanbul, and he’s done it again tonight with Man City.

And... he didn’t play a single second in either match. What a gig.

Player ratings

22:17 , Matt Verri

John Stones - 9

An absolute masterclass, capping off what has been a remarkable few months for the England international. Stepped into a new role and bossed the biggest game of his career.

Read our full Man City ratings here

Special night

22:13 , Matt Verri

Reaction from Rodri

22:08 , Matt Verri

“The last years we were so close. I just want to thank everyone. It wasn’t easy. What a team we faced, the way they defend and counter-attack.

“We gave everything. I wasn’t good in the first half, I was playing s***.

“Finals are like this. You can’t expect to play well as always. Emotions and nerves are there. We competed like animals.

“We want more. More ambition. It’s a dream. This moment will never happen again. We hope next year but we deserve to celebrate.”

Grealish emotional

22:05 , Matt Verri

Jack Grealish is in tears as he’s asked for his reaction.

“Seeing my family in the crowd, it makes me emotional,” he tells BT Sport.

“I said [to Guardiola]: ‘I want to thank you. You have made this happen for me, put so much faith in me. He stayed there with me, this year he’s given me the platform to perform’.”

Exclusive club!

22:03 , Matt Verri

Manchester United 1998/99

Manchester City 2022/23

The Treble has been secured, Pep Guardiola’s side writing themselves into the history books forever.

A goal they will never forget...

22:00 , Matt Verri

FT: Man City 1-0 Inter Milan

21:56 , Matt Verri

THEY HAVE DONE IT!

Champions League champions... and they’ve won the Treble!

21:55 , Matt Verri

One. More. Chance.

Inter corner, Onana is up....

21:54 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Brilliant!

Inter launch the ball into the box, Ederson charges off his line and claims. That should be that.

21:52 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON!

Haaland into the book for trying to slow things down. City so, so close.

21:49 , Matt Verri

88 mins: AN INCREDIBLE SAVE! HOW ARE INTER NOT LEVEL?!

Ball to the back post, nodded back across goal and Lukaku looks certain to head home... Ederson somehow keeps it out. Ridiculous.

Bounces off his knee at point-blank range.

21:46 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Will Inter get one more chance? They’re struggling enough to get the ball at the moment.

Onana is basically playing in defence now, lost all interest in goalkeeping. Fair enough.

21:43 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Awful challenge from Lukaku. Filed that under ‘frustrated’.

Slides in on Gundogan, from behind and he earns himself a yellow card. Inter starting to lose their heads, far too many fouls.

21:42 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Stones is down in the Inter box, his shirt completely ripped.

That will be the end of his night, Walker finally coming on. Guardiola very animated on the touchline.

21:38 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Foden with the chance to seal it... saved by Onana! Brilliant play to create the chance.

City doing a good job of controlling things now, they’re probably the last team in the world you want to fall behind to.

21:36 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Gosens on for Bastoni for Inter, Bellanova on for Dumfries.

Walker will be coming on it looks like, although Guardiola has just pulled him back and said he wants to wait before making that change.

21:33 , Matt Verri

73 mins: Some game we have now.

Ball fed to Lukaku, drives into the box on his right foot and fires at goal. Straight at Ederson. Inter really pushing.

21:31 , Matt Verri

71 mins: OFF THE BAR!

Inter should equalise! Dimarco’s looped header bounces off the bar, he’s then there on the rebound and nods it towards the empty net... Lukaku blocks it!

Disaster for Inter, Lukaku got in his team-mate’s way.

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Inter Milan | Rodri 68'

21:28 , Matt Verri

MAN CITY TAKE THE LEAD! HUGE MOMENT.

Bernardo gets in behind, his cut back deflects to the edge of the box and Rodri is there to fire it into the bottom corner. Onana doesn’t move.

21:27 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Sensational defending from Bastoni!

Haaland bundles his way through the challenge, looks to slide Foden clean through on goal but the Inter man sticks out a foot and intercepts the pass. He’s been superb tonight.

21:25 , Matt Verri

65 mins: That gives City a bit more space as they counter, Stones played in on the overlap and his cross is turned behind for a corner. Grealish to take.

Whistle goes, looks like it was Stones who the referee has penalised for grabbing. Dragged Bastoni back.

21:23 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Inter starting to enjoy a bit more time in the City half. They really are right in this final.

Ball bobbles around in the box, Dumfries and Lukaku were lurking, but Dias gets an important touch.

21:19 , Matt Verri

59 mins: And now Barella picks up the first yellow card of the final.

Foden was driving forward, Inter man came flying in to take him out. Not sure he even bothered looking at the ball, let alone try and win it.

21:18 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Big save!

Wow. Akanji and Ederson with a miscommunication and Martinez is in on goal.

Tight angle, Ederson flies off his line and he smothers the shot.

21:16 , Matt Verri

56 mins: First Inter change of the night.

Dzeko is down, Lukaku is stripped and ready to come on. Stage is set for him to be the hero.

He is on to partner Martinez up front.

21:15 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Martinez drifts out wide, holds the ball up for his side.

Cuts inside, plays the ball across to Calhanoglu and his effort from outside the box is blocked. Huge roar from the Inter fans behind that goal as their side get forward for the first time since the break.

21:13 , Matt Verri

53 mins: It’s all starting to get a bit heated. Martinez thinks he’s fouled by Gundogan, referee disagrees.

City breaks, and Darmian is across to trip Grealish and stop any hope of a counter. Knew exactly what he was doing.

Foden swings the free-kick in, once again it’s far too deep from him.

21:10 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Woeful pass from Onana, Bernardo can pounce and he drifts into the box.

Lays it back towards Foden, but Acerbi is there and Inter can punt the ball up the pitch.

21:07 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Dimarco throws himself to the ground after a shove from Bernardo, referee couldn’t care less.

Inter man is holding his face and his back, covering all bases. Eventually realises nobody is paying him any attention and he’s back up.

Back underway!

21:05 , Matt Verri

Up and running again in Istanbul!

Guardiola in his pre-match press conference...

21:00 , Matt Verri

“The most important thing is to not think at 0-0 you are losing,” the City boss said.

“Italian teams can think at 0-0 they are winning and they are not. In both circumstances you have to be stable.”

Wise words.

Some first-half stats

20:54 , Matt Verri

Man City with more than 60% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes.

Only four shots though, two of those on target. One Haaland’s powerful strike, the other a comfortable save for Onana from De Bruyne’s strike from distance.

Four shots too for Inter, their biggest chance coming when Ederson passed the ball straight to Barella.

It’s right in the balance.

As close as either side came...

20:50 , Matt Verri

HT: Man City 0-0 Inter

20:49 , Matt Verri

So far, so good for Inter.

Man City have dominated possession, of course, but little to show for it. Haaland had a shot saved, Bernardo went close... but that’s it really.

De Bruyne forced off with injury, another devastating night in the Champions League final for him.

20:47 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Two minutes added on at the end of the half.

Plenty for Guardiola to consider at the break, his side have been a fair way off the standards we’ve seen in recent months.

20:45 , Matt Verri

44 mins: More like it from Grealish, skips past Dumfries and wins a free-kick out wide. He demands the referee shows a yellow card, doesn’t get his wish.

Foden swings it in deep, Rodri keeps it alive. Tries to send the ball back into the box, bounces back off him and out of play.

20:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Foden drifts into space, Haaland makes the run in behind but doesn’t get the pass. He’s not impressed.

Inter sitting deeper now, everyone right back in their own half. They just want to make it to half-time now with it still goalless.

20:41 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Inter so aggressive in winning the ball back, they’ve been really impressive so far.

Foden then goes in on Acerbi, bit high and it’s a free kick for Inter. This has been a frustrating first half for City so far.

20:39 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Stones outrageously calm as he jogs back towards his own goal, charged down by three Inter players. Not a care in the world.

The Italian side do win it back, Dumfries free on the right. He makes a complete mess of it though, takes an age to do anything and the chance goes. So, so poor, Inter forced all the way back into their own half.

20:36 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Stones really does have the freedom to play everywhere. Drifting over to right wing now, combining with Bernardo.

De Bruyne looks to stand a cross up to the back post, straight out. And now he signals to the bench, he’s not going to be able to continue.

Once again, he’s forced off in a Champions League final. Foden on in his place.

20:34 , Matt Verri

33 mins: De Bruyne back up and on for now, but Foden looks like he’s getting ready to come on.

Ball comes to De Bruyne, heavy pass just as he looked set to play Grealish in. Foden has his shirt on receiving some instructions, but the Belgian is desperately trying to continue.

20:31 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Big problem for City. De Bruyne has sat down off the ball, physios are on.

He was forced off in the 2021 Champions League final, is it going to happen again? Foden is warming up.

This could be a huge moment in the final.

20:30 , Matt Verri

29 mins: All of a sudden Inter are under pressure for the first time in the match.

De Bruyne drifts insides, fires the shot straight at Onana. City swiftly back on the attack, Grealish unable to pick out Bernardo though and Onana can claim again.

20:29 , Matt Verri

28 mins: More like it from City!

De Bruyne slides the pass through to Haaland, too strong to be stopped and he finds the space in the box on his left foot. Decent enough strike, but Onana can just about parry it away.

That was really sharp from Haaland.

20:27 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Dear me, Ederson almost with an absolute howler. He’s already been very casual a couple of times.

Passes it out, straight to Barella and he has an open goal to aim for, but he curls the effort well wide. Guardiola tells his goalkeeper to “relax” - not sure he could be more relaxed.

20:25 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Inter enjoying success with the switch out to the left, Dimarco often has half the pitch to himself.

Onana goes long, Dzeko the man he aims for but too much on it and the ball runs through to Ederson. Midway through the first-half and it’s gone very quickly, despite there being little in the way of clear-cut chances.

20:22 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Brozovic from distance, shanks it wide. Wasn’t helped by the fact he was closed down by Martinez, as his team-mate tried to take the ball for himself.

Ake does well to then win the ball back for City, Inter had Dumfries free on the right had he not done so.

20:20 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Grealish not being given any time on the ball. He’s not really been able to get into the match so far.

Barella then appears behind him and boots the ball away, Inter can break. That is until Dzeko is the man leading the counter, and Bernardo is swiftly over to close him down.

Main man in attendance

20:19 , Matt Verri

The Manchester City owner, Sheikh Mansour, is watching on in Istanbul.

Only the second competitive Man City match he has actually attended...

20:17 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Plenty of clapping from Guardiola on the touchline. Not sure that’s a great sign.

His side have been tidy enough, but they’re being rushed by Inter. Italian side harrying them at every opportunity, working really hard off the ball..

20:13 , Matt Verri

12 mins: City want a goal-kick, then a free-kick, then Inter think they should have a free-kick themselves.

Referee eventually decides to make a decison and City get their initial wish. Inter are offering a threat when they do get forward, committing numbers in attack.

20:11 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Inter starting to get going now, nice move and Dimarco has plenty of space out on the left.

Good ball into the box, plenty of Inter shirts in there but so too is Dias, who rises well to head it out and City can clear their lines.

20:10 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Inter not really having a touch of the ball at the moment, though they don’t look too bothered about that.

That helps, Dimarco poking the ball away from Bernardo and his heels are clipped by the City man.

20:07 , Matt Verri

6 mins: So close!

Silva allowed to drive into the box, onto his left foot and Dimarco still doesn’t close him down. City man looks to bend an effort into the far corner, very nearly finds the back of the net. Onana was not getting there.

20:05 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Haaland in behind and fires a shot high and wide, wouldn’t have counted anyway. The offside flag is up.

Gundogan catches Barella with an arm to the face, not a huge amount of contact but the Inter man goes down. He’ll be ok.

20:03 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Not quite the start Dzeko had planned. He takes his eye off the ball and pokes the ball straight out of play under no real pressure. Not fooling anyone with the look at the pitch that followed.

Inter not just sitting back in the early stages, they’re looking to get on the ball.

KICK-OFF!

20:01 , Matt Verri

We’re underway in the Champions League final!

19:58 , Matt Verri

Oh, Adam Gyorgy now on the piano. No, me neither.

While the talent show continues, the players are out onto the pitch. UEFA’s plan maybe to have the Champions League anthem played quietly on the piano so the City fans don’t boo it.

Clever.

19:55 , Matt Verri

We currently have the pre-match ceremony going on, as the players wait in the tunnel. Feel like we could have had the dancing a bit earlier... or not at all.

Anyway, that’s finally done. Time for the main event.

Everything on the line for City

19:53 , Matt Verri

This is what the entire season has been building towards for Man City. Really it’s what the last 15 years have been building towards.

The Champions League is the one trophy they want more than any other, the one they haven’t yet got their hands on.

It feels almost inevitable that changes tonight, as it did that they would win the Premier League and FA Cup this season.

Huge, huge shock if Inter upset the script.

Unfamiliar territory for Inter camp

19:45 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups done!

19:42 , Matt Verri

The teams have gone back inside the dressing rooms in Istanbul.

Time for one final message from Guardiola and Inzaghi, before the players come out again for a match that could define their careers.

No pressure.

De Bruyne looking for ‘immense’ night

19:36 , Matt Verri

Kevin De Bruyne was asked yesterday whether winning the Champions League was a dream or an obsession.

“Maybe both,” he responded. “I’ve been here a long time. For me it’s been an incredible, the eight years.

“But we haven’t won this competition. That’s the only little reminder people can give us. We’ve been consistent but we need to find a way of winning the first one. If we do, it’ll be immense for the players and the club.

“We’ve got a chance to close that [chapter] if we are good enough.”

Drink it in...

19:32 , Matt Verri

Lautaro Martinez v Ruben Dias

19:27 , Matt Verri

World Cup-winner Lautaro Martinez is on Real Madrid’s shortlist of potential replacements for Karim Benzema, and is also being tracked by Chelsea.

The Argentine has scored 28 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions this season, including six goal contributions in 12 games in the Champions League.

Edin Dzeko’s strike partner netted in Inter’s quarter-final and semi-final ties and finished the Serie A season with a flourish — scoring seven goals in his final eight matches.

Dias will be the most central of City’s three defenders and must track Martinez’s runs, as well as denying him the chance to work the ball onto his favoured right foot.

Erling Haaland v Francesco Acerbi

19:24 , Matt Verri

Erling Haaland’s ruthlessness in front of goal this season has made it seem like he can win games on his own.

His European record is particularly frightening, and he heads into the final with 12 goals in 10 Champions League appearances this season. In the round of 16, he scored five in a single game, against RB Leipzig.

The 22-year-old will be marked by a man 13 years his senior in Francesco Acerbi, who stands at 6ft 4in tall, just like the Norwegian. Whether Acerbi can keep Haaland quiet could well set the tone.

Wait over for Pep?

19:18 , Matt Verri

It’s over a decade now since Pep Guardiola last lifted the Champions League trophy.

That was with his all-conquering Barcelona team, and he’s been unable to return to Europe’s summit since then with either Bayern Munich or Man City.

He fell just short two years ago, and it would surely be the most disappointing night of his career should his side fail to deliver tonight.

Pre-match thoughts from Guardiola

19:13 , Matt Verri

On Kyle Walker missing out: “He could [have started]. It was really tough because Kyle is so important. For the way we want to defend and attack we needed a different type of player.”

On Inter’s threat: “Italian teams are competitors. Inter have really good patterns. The way they play is so clear. They are incredibly stable and aggressive. To defend and defend, they feel comfortable. It’s cultural in Italy. I admire it. It’s not easy to do it.”

Inzaghi battles back from the brink

19:08 , Matt Verri

Barely two months ago, Simone Inzaghi was on the verge of being sacked. Inter Milan were without a win in five Serie A games and had just lost 1-0 at home against Monza, leading La Gazzetta dello Sport to say his future was hanging by a thread.

Fail to get past Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals, and Inzaghi was gone.

But, having won 2-0 in Portugal in the first leg, Inter drew 3-3 at the San Siro to go through and, since then, they have not looked back. They finished the season with 11 wins in 12 matches in all competitions, finished third in Serie A, won the Coppa Italia and saw off city rivals AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals.

It has been a remarkable turnaround by Inzaghi, who has constantly defied the odds.

Read our full piece on the Inter boss here

Inter fans in early!

19:03 , Matt Verri

Guardiola wary of Inter threat

18:59 , Matt Verri

Pep Guardiola is expected a tough night for his side, despite Man City going in as huge favourites.

The City boss also warned his side to stay patient should the game remain level for long periods, admitting it would be easy for his players to think they are losing while it is 0-0.

“We’ll need a top-level performance,” Guardiola said. “The more I watch Inter, the more concerned I am about them.”

“I’ve had to watch many matches, and imagine what they could do on the pitch. They do a lot of interesting things. That’s what’s been occupying my mind in the past few hours, like what we have to do to be dangerous.

“We know that at 0-0, the Italian teams think they’re winning. We’re the opposite.”

Gerrard back in Istanbul!

18:52 , Matt Verri

Steven Gerrard is part of BT Sport’s coverage tonight. No prizes for guessing what they’re talking about with him in Istanbul...

It’s the first time the Champions League final has been back at the Ataturk since 2005, when Liverpool somehow stunned AC Milan to be crowned European champions.

Inter are going to need some of that Istanbul magic themselves tonight if they are to get some revenge for the Italian clubs over English opposition.

Mkhitaryan among the substitutes

18:48 , Matt Verri

Henrikh Mkhitaryan fit enough only for the bench for Inter Milan, with Milan Skriniar also not risked from the start.

Edin Dzeko is chosen to partner Lautaro Martinez up front, meaning Romelu Lukaku will have to wait to make his impact in the final.

Walker on the bench

18:44 , Matt Verri

Much of the talk for Man City in terms of team news has been centred on Kyle Walker’s fitness - he’s named on the bench.

Will be Manuel Akanji on the right of that back three, as John Stones steps into midfield. Ilkay Gundogan captains the side, in what could prove to be his final appearance for the club.

As expected, Bernardo Silva gets the nod over Riyad Mahrez on the right wing, and Erling Haaland leads the line.

Inter Milan team news

18:39 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez

Subs: Handanovic, Cordaz, Gagliardini, De Vrij, Gosens, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Lukaku

Man City team news

18:35 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Ederson, Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Walker, Phillips, Laporte, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Perrone, Foden, Palmer, Lewis

Both sides have arrived!

18:33 , Matt Verri

Inter’s squad have arrived at the stadium in Istanbul, with many of their fans already inside and making plenty of noise.

Footage had appeared on the big screen of what looked to be Man City’s team bus still stuck in traffic, but they have now arrived too.

Not so easy for some City fans earlier this afternoon...

Dias: We love the pressure

18:27 , Matt Verri

Speaking at the pre-match press conference yesterday, Ruben Dias was in confident mood as he insisted Man City will rise to the occasion tonight and embrace the pressure on them as they try and finally lift the Champions League trophy.

“We love the pressure, we love it,” Dias said.

“In the right measure it will make you run faster, jump higher, be more focused. It’s what these games need, we embrace it. We enjoy the moment, know what it means to our club and fans and our families.

“When we got to February, March, it’s the sweet spot. You see the character of the team in these stages, if you want to move forward or start hiding. Especially since that moment, we’ve shown up every time.”

Darmian ready for familiar foe

18:19 , Matt Verri

Matteo Darmian is one of three ex-Manchester United players who could be involved tonight against United’s big rivals — the other two being Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Darmain said of meeting old foes City in the final: “I have faced them many times. We all know their qualities, they are a top team. We will need to be at our best to beat them. We will try to show our ideas and will play with heart.

“I know it will be a special game. I have played for United so it will be special. I will give it my all tomorrow, and we will all give it our all. We have had a great end of season and we are feeling good physically and mentally.”

Inevitable comparisons

18:12 , Matt Verri

“It’s really sore,” joked Sir Alex Ferguson last month, as he presented the LMA Manager of the Year trophy, which bears his name, to Pep Guardiola.

And Ferguson might be even sorer tonight if Guardiola becomes the first manager in history to win the Treble twice, and the only other coach in English football to claim the three biggest trophies in a season after the Scot’s Manchester United in 1999.

If Guardiola’s Manchester City beat Inter in Istanbul, they will add the Champions League crown to the League title and FA Cup, a feat which will inevitably increase the comparisons between the Catalan and Ferguson, the two outstanding contenders as the greatest managers of the Premier League era.

Certainly, there are compelling comparisons between the pair, not least in that their success has been achieved in the same city, albeit on different sides of the tracks.

They have reigned in contrasting styles, with Ferguson perhaps the last old-school manager to rule over every aspect of a club and Guardiola focused principally on coaching, but some of their methods bear similarities.

Read the full piece here

Italian fans have travelled in numbers

18:06 , Matt Verri

Special guest in Istanbul!

17:59 , Matt Verri

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour will attend the Champions League final tonight.

Club sources have confirmed that the sheikh will be present in Istanbul as City face Inter Milan bidding to win Europe’s top club prize for the first time.

It will only be the second game he has attended since his investment vehicle, the Abu Dhabi United Group, purchased City in 2008.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is also due to be at the showpiece match at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Vieira: City in debate for greatest team

17:51 , Matt Verri

Patrick Vieira admits that Manchester City’s Champions League chasing side are on a par with Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’.

The legendary Gunners midfielder, who recently managed Crystal Palace, was part of Arsene Wenger’s 2003/04 team which won the Premier League title while going unbeaten over 38 matches.

Pep Guardiola’s side lost four Premier League matches on their way to the title but could replicate the treble achievement Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side achieved during the 1998/99 season.

Vieira believes all three teams can all lay claim to being the greatest ever in the Premier League era, with little between them: “Winning the treble and going unbeaten for a season are both really difficult,” Vieira told Standard Sport.

“Many people believe Man United’s treble would never be matched but now City are close. It would be an unbelievable achievement for City just as it was for United, they are up there with the best.

“I think the Invincibles will also one day be matched. City are in the debate [for the greatest English team] with United’s 1999 treble team and my Invincibles.”

Read our full interview with Vieira here

Statement from City...

17:43 , Matt Verri

It was a stunning performance from Man City in the second leg of their semi-final tie to knock Real Madrid out.

They scored four goals at the Etihad, and that was with Thibaut Courtois having a brilliant game. Could have been seven or eight.

Any sort of repeat of that performance and Inter will surely have big, big problems...

Martinez: Man City have duty to win final

17:37 , Matt Verri

Lautaro Martinez has been putting the pressure on Manchester City in the build-up to the final, insisting Citheyty have a “duty” to win while his Inter Milan side have a “dream”.

City have reached their second final in three years, having lost to English rivals Chelsea in the 2021 final in Porto. Inter are in the final for the first time since 2010, when Diego Milito’s double saw them defeat Bayern Munich in the final.

Martinez said: “We worked hard and we deserve to be here. I feel the pressure tomorrow but City have a duty to win, Inter have a dream. We need to play with personality, desire and determination.”

The striker came off the bench to help Argentina to victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final, and he has now reached the Champions League final in the same season.

“They are the biggest games in football”, he reflected. “The only difference is the team. The feelings are the same as the World Cup. The team is the most important thing — we need to work together to win. We are one step away. We will be ready.”

The main attraction has arrived...

17:31 , Matt Verri

Not exactly the most glamorous of entrances for the Champions League trophy.

Regardless, it has arrived at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Now just a couple of sets of players and we’ll be good to go.

Standard Sport prediction

17:25 , Matt Verri

City will surely never have a better chance of winning the Champions League, and in turn a famous treble.

That is not to say that Inter are pushovers, but are the weakest of the three teams that have stood in City’s way for their tilt at history, the others being Premier League runners-up Arsenal and FA Cup finalists Manchester United.

Guardiola infamously tinkered too much when City lost to Chelsea in the final two years ago, so there is always that danger, but you would think any selection should overpower Inter tonight.

Man City to win, 2-0.

Inter Milan team news

17:17 , Matt Verri

Inter Milan have a late decision to make over Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The former Arsenal and Manchester United midfielder, 34, has not played for almost a month due to a thigh injury and only returned to training on Thursday.

“He had his first training session yesterday after 22 days,” Inzaghi said of the Armenian in his final pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We have a positive feeling but he is not 100 per cent. I will have to decide whether to field him from the beginning or send him on during the match.”

Argentine forward Joaquin Correa has also returned to training for Inter after a calf issue, while centre-back Milan Skriniar could play for the first time since March having been named on the bench against Torino in Serie A last weekend.

Predicted Inter Milan XI (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez

Man City team news

17:10 , Matt Verri

Manchester City are set to have Kyle Walker fit and available tonight.

The versatile defender sparked fears earlier this week after missing training with a back issue, though he later insisted that it was just an extra day of recovery needed and that he would be fine for the Istanbul showpiece.

Walker assured fans: “I’m fine, I’m just getting old. I’m completely fine, it’s just an extra day of recovery.

“I played a lot of minutes over the last number of weeks, so the manager said just stay inside and come Saturday you’ll be raring to go.

“I’m fine, the minutes that I’ve played when everyone else was injured, I was there digging my heels in and getting through it. I won’t be missing the Champions League final for anything.”

No surprises are expected elsewhere, with Bernardo Silva likely to get the nod over Riyad Mahrez on the right wing.

Predicted Man City XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland

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