Manchester City make history, beat Inter by 1-0

Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Champions League. (Photo: Matthew Childs/Reuters)

Manchester City won the Champions League by defeating Inter Milan 1-0 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, becoming the second English team to accomplish the treble.

Rodri scored in the 68th minute on Saturday, allowing the Premier League champions and FA Cup victors to complete the season with trophies.

While this is the first time City has won the largest club competition in European football, Pep Guardiola has won it three times as a coach.

Despite losing influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the first half, City prevailed.

Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals this season, failed to score for the fifth consecutive game, but City still prevailed against opponents who were never anticipated to reach this stage.

15 years after Abu Dhabi's governing family transformed City into one of the wealthiest teams in the world, the club has attained its goal of reaching the pinnacle of European football with this victory.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the club's owner, was present to witness City's culminating moment. In the past 15 years, he has only witnessed his team in person twice.

Rodri scored the game-winning goal for City after collecting Bernardo Silva's passback and firing through a congested penalty area.

His relief was undeniable as he raced towards City's admirers and slid to his knees in celebration.

Romelu Lukaku had an opportunity to score a late equalizer, but he headed directly at Ederson from approximately four meters out.

Federico Dimarco came close to tying the game for Inter minutes after that goal when he struck the crossbar from close range.

Then, he appeared poised to score, but teammate Lukaku blocked his shot.

It completed City's treble, making them only the second English club after Manchester United in 1999, who also won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

"Unbelievable night, I'm so pleased. Difficult to articulate. I believe we created history today," said City captain Ilkat Gundogan to BT Sport.

"It was obvious that it would be challenging for both teams. We were not at our best in the opening period. It was an even contest. As is typical in finals, a single strike proved decisive. We feel very privileged that it happened to us.

"We were aware that everyone was discussing the treble. The pressure was there, but I believe this team is best equipped to manage pressure."

Publish : 2023-06-11 10:49:00

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