“Honestly, the final against the Italian team is the best gift.”
The 2022-2023 European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League semifinal second leg held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on the morning of the 18th (hereinafter Korean time).
Pep Guardiola,먹튀검증 manager of Manchester City, reached the final after beating Real Madrid 4-0 at home, who had won 14 titles in their career. He said this in a pitch interview with BT Sports after the game.
However, he said, “Inter Milan is competitive. We have time to mentally prepare.” The final between the two teams will be held on June 11 at 4:00 am in Turkey, Istanbul.
Man City is aiming for the first ‘big year’ in history, and Inter Milan is going to recapture the top spot in 13 years.
Julian Alvarez’s goal in the 1st minute of extra time in the second half. Manchester|AP News
“When we reach the Champions League final, we have to congratulate them,” Guardiola said. Our players are outstanding, and Bernardo Silva has always been there in this type of game. He is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life.”
Manchester City took the lead early on this day with Bernardo Silva scoring two goals (23 minutes in the first half and 37 minutes in the first half) with a left foot and a header. Then, in the 31st minute of the second half, defender Manuel Akanji’s header exploded in a set-piece situation, and at the end of the second half, Julian Alvarez, who was substituted for Elling Hollan, scored a key goal in the 1st minute of extra time in the second half, winning 4-0.
Bernardo Silva (centre). Manchester|Reuters Yonhap News
Earlier in the first leg away, it was Man City who drew 1-1 with Kevin De Bruyne’s fantastic goal.
“At home, we feel incredible comfort with our people,” said Guardiola. “It was a very painful season.” Manchester City also met Real Madrid in the semi-finals last season, winning 4-3 in the first leg at home and then leading 1-0 in the second leg away, and are on the verge of advancing to the final.
However, in the 45th and 46th minutes of the second half, Rodrigo scored consecutive goals to make the total score 5-5, and Karim Benzema’s penalty goal in the 5th minute of the first half of extra time made Manchester City cry. It was a nightmare moment for Manchester City, but a year later it never happened.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti (behind) and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hug after the match. Manchester|AFP Yonhap News
Manchester City are aiming for a treble this season (winning the English Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup). It is a record that local rival Manchester United achieved only once in the 1998-1999 season as an English Premier League team.
The Champions League final made that even more likely. If Man City wins the home game against Chelsea on the 22nd at 0:00 am (hereinafter referred to as Korean time), the English Premier League title will be confirmed this season.
It is also up to the FA Cup final held at Wembley Stadium on June 3 (11:00 pm). The opponent is man utd, but the view that man city is advantageous in objective power is dominant.
Guardiola achieved a treble during the 2008-2009 season as FC Barcelona head coach. However, as Manchester City manager, he never lifted the trophy in the Champions League. Two years ago, there is the pain of losing 0-1 in the final against Chelsea.