THE BLUE MOON RISES: MANCHESTER CITY SEAL TREBLE AND 1ST UCL TITLE IN THRILLING FINALE

 

Monday 4 December 2023

UEFA Champions League Final 22/23

Manchester City Vs Inter Milan

Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey.

THE BLUE MOON RISES: MANCHESTER CITY SEAL TREBLE AND 1ST UCL TITLE IN THRILLING FINALE

Manchester City Players and Manager Pep Guardiola lift the UCL during celebrations.

Preview of UCL FINAL:

The ultimate prize of Europe, the Champions League Final on Saturday 10 June 2023. Two teams both of whom have qualified for next year’s UCL group stage, take the stage to fight out for who will win this coveted prized trophy for their cabinet. Will it be the PL champions of England, Manchester City Vs the 3-time UCL winners Inter Milan?

TEAM NEWS:

Pep Guardiola keeps his 3-2-4-1 set up as he made two changes from their FA Cup Final success against Manchester United, as he welcomes back Nathan Aké and Ederson in place of Kyle Walker and Stefan Ortega, who drop to the bench after they started in the FA Cup final win.

Simone Inzaghi keeps his 3-5-2 formation and makes 4 changes from their final day win against Torino in the Serie A, as Andre Onana, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, and Edin Džeko return to the starting XI with Robin Gosens, Samir Handanovic, Romelu Lukaku and Roberto Gagliardini drop to the bench ahead of this massive clash.

Key Moments: First Half

An enthralling 90 minutes lay ahead as the game begins. The chances were far few thick and thin for both teams. On 6 minutes, the game’s first big chance, Bernardo Silva dances around the defence and confuses Dimarco, but the shot just wide of the post, a massive chance to go ahead. Then 14 minutes later, a chance goes the way of Inter. Marcelo Brozovic just couldn’t keep the shot down as he blasts it miles over the bar. Another Inter chance, but it is well wide. Ederson gives the ball away and Barella can’t steer it on target. And seconds later, Man City’s second big chance of the game, Haaland’s effort on target stopped by Onana.

A tearful KDB is subbed off, with Phil Foden coming in to replace him.

An emotional moment for City on 36 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury stops him, and he is therefore forced to come off with Phil Foden replacing him in his position. Half Time in Istanbul.

Key Moments: Second Half

The second half was a lot different compared to the first, with attacks being prevented by the teams’ defences doing good work in stopping the chances from coming. On 59 minutes, a massive chance goes the way of the Nerazzuri (Inter), Lautaro Martinez intercepts Akanji’s pass to Ederson, but the keeper denies Martinez in the end. And then on 68 minutes, the big moment came, Akanji finds Bernardo Silva as he cuts back inside to prevent the ball from going out, which allowed Rodri to smash in the ball into the bottom corner for the game’s first goal. A well-worked team goal and this sparked the City fans into life as they erupted the moment Rodri scored.

Rodri celebrates after he scored the game’s only goal to seal City the UCL title.

All the Manchester City players celebrate Rodri’s goal on 68 Minutes.

A big shocker on 70 minutes, a huge chance for Inter Milan to level the game, but Dimarco could not head it in as it hits the bar after substitute Lukaku set him up for the chance. And then a big chance on 88 minutes and it did fall for the Nerazzuri, Lukaku’s point blank header was somehow kept out by Ederson from 6 yards as Dias nudges the ball away for another Inter Milan corner. Will that chance come back to haunt Inter and Lukaku?

Lukaku’s header was denied brilliantly by Ederson.

In the final minute of added time, the last chance for Inter to save the game, Robin Gosen’s header pushed away by Ederson as the City fans and players waited to celebrate the final whistle. FULL TIME IN ISTANBUL!! MANCHESTER CITY ARE TREBLE WINNERS!!! MANCHESTER CITY ARE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNERS!!! They are the 6th English Team after Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to get their hands on the coveted European Trophy.

Rico Lewis, Phil Foden and Rodri celebrate Man City’s Victory after Full Time.

Kevin De Bruyne hugs Phil Foden for his effort in the UCL Final.

Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker celebrate Man City's victory at full time.


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