Global Courant
ANKARA
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi said on Friday that in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final rivals Manchester City were “too strong” and the Italian club needed to limit their mistakes on the pitch.
“Manchester City is probably the best team in the world right now. But we are aware of the Champions League campaign and we are proud of what we did. We will do our best to play the final with high concentration and we have to do nothing.” We have to do this because our opponent is a very strong team.”
Inzaghi said that besides the midfield, physical and mental strength will be crucial to win the final.
“Midfield is going to be the most important part of the game. But outside of midfield, I think the most important thing is fitness, legs, mind and heart. Because to run you have to be fit and to stay you have to have a mind.” “Inzaghi was always focused throughout the game and you really have to put your whole heart into these games.”
He said he knew how strong Inter’s Manchester City and star forward Erling Haaland was, so the Italian team took measures for him.
“Obviously, we’re going to have a special eye on him. We’ve prepared something (to stop him). However, all Inter players will have to defend not just Haaland but the whole of Manchester City,” said the head coach.
Manchester City are miles ahead of Inter’s 19 tally with 31 goals on this season’s Champions League leaderboards.
Haaland is the top scorer with 12 strokes and will be the English club’s main goal threat in the final.
In response to a question, Inzaghi said that Inter was prepared and prepared for penalties throughout the season if the team that won the 2023 Champions League was determined by penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, Inter’s Turkish midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu was at the press conference to express his happiness and pride in playing in the final in his own country.
“I’m sure my country supports me and prays for me,” Çalhanoğlu said. said.
“I know it won’t be easy. Manchester City is a strong competitor,” the 29-year-old said.
Çalhanoğlu responded to a question about Manchester City’s Turkish-German midfielder İlkay Gündoğan, saying that he did not have the opportunity to meet with him, but that he would meet on the field on Saturday.
However, he wished him luck, saying that it would be a special match for him and Gündoğan because it would be the first time that two Turkish-born players would face each other in a Champions League final.
“Tomorrow we will focus on our game. Of course we analyzed our opponents. We don’t let them play their own game. City as we know is holding the ball and they play well offensively.” That Inter will try to get them in trouble and foil the English team’s plans.
– ‘Be patient during the match, be determined’
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola advised his players to focus on their mission and be patient against Inter in the final.
“In the finals you have to be consistent. Defend well, attack (effectively) and have control. You have to be patient. In games like this, the most important thing is to believe we are 0-0 and we lose.
“The Italian teams are 0-0 and they believe they’ve won. They don’t win… it’s 0-0. Here we need to be consistent, keep the rhythm and be consistent,” said Guardiola.
“We have to come forward in bad moments. It will happen. 1-0 down or 1-0 up… so either way… be firm,” he said.
“… I’ll have a plan. We’re ready. I feel like the players will definitely give their all. Keep it up!” Added Guardiola.
Manchester City’s Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne said they should not be nervous during the match and “find openings” to create chances.
“I think we understand what Inter are, they’re very compact… We understand what they are as a team, they defend well. So we don’t expect it to be an open game, so we shouldn’t get angry too quickly.
“We have to try to play as we did and hopefully find openings and start creating opportunities and scoring goals,” De Bruyne said.
The final between Manchester City and Inter will start at 19.00 at Istanbul Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
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