Man City beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League for the first time in their history with Rodri scoring the only goal of the game.
Three minutes in, De Bruyne found Haaland, who looked offside. He took on the strike from the angle but it went high and off target. The flag went up anyway.
Man City pinned Inter back almost onto their own goal-line with Silva getting to within about seven yards of goal on the angle and attempted to put one into the corner, Onana stood still and the ball went just wide of the post.
20 minuets in and Rodri played one straight to Dimarco, finding Brozovic who made his way into a shooting spot from 25 yards but it went wayward.
Shortly after, Ederson played a shocking ball to Stones who couldn’t control it. Barella, despite being 35 yards out, tried to catch the goalkeeper off his line, but after some poor execution, he sent the ball wide.
There was big chance on 28 minutes. Rodri played a one-two with De Bruyne, Haaland slid in behind the defence, the angle was tight, but the finish was straight at Onana who cleared.
On the half hour mark, City medics tried to stretch out De Bruyne’s hamstring but in the end, he signalled to come off, history repeating as he went off after an hour in the 2021 final. Foden came on to replace him.
The half ended with Pep Guardiola telling his side to “relax”, City just needed to find that magic we all know they are capable of producing.
The second half started not as cagey at the opening 45 minutes. Stones from about 30 yards out managed to make his way past three defenders, went to unleash a shot, but decided against it and instead game it to Foden. Inter however crowded him out.
On 59 minutes, a ball went over the top, somewhat left by Akanji for Ederson, but the goalkeeper chose not to come out. Martinez was in but the angle was against him. Ederson reacted by making a big block. Lukaku and Barella waited for the cut-back.
Pep Guardiola fully thought that Lautaro Martinez would score… 🫣#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/ea9X9RoAOX
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
How did Inter not equalise there!! 😲
Federico Dimarco with two attempts to score but Romelu Lukaku is in the way! 🫣#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/uwBU0FAEz9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
That opened the game up with Foden getting beyond the Inter midfield, Barella came across with a cynical challenge. A yellow handed to him.
The game finally saw a goal.
On 68 minuets, Silva found space down the right and his deflected cross missed all of his teammates but there was Rodri from 15 yards out.
He produced the most composed finish into the corner.
Man City lead in the Champions League final!! 🤩
Rodri breaks the deadlock to score a massive goal for his club! ⚽️#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/DyTitSzOyu
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
The next big chance came on 89 minutes, a huge save from Ederson. Gosens kept a deep ball alive with a headed cross and Lukaku was only seven yards out with the whole goal to aim at, instead he headed it straight at Ederson who blocks it with his knee and Dias managed to turn the rebound around the post.
WHAT A SAVE FROM EDERSON!! 🤩
Has that moment just won them the Champions League…? 👀#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/NW3wYwYoaD
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
In the sixth minute of additional time, a near post header went straight at goal and out came Ederson, who somehow palmed the clear the effort.
The final whistle blew and Manchester City became the new champions of Europe as well as the second English team to ever win the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
“Tonight, the Manchester rain will taste like champagne!” 🥂
The words of Noel Gallagher as Man City win the Champions League for the first time in their history!! 🤩#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/6hpRzSLYKY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
Manchester City’s goalscorer Rodri to BT Sport: “Emotional. A dream come true. All these guys around here [points to the fans] waited I don’t know how many years. They deserve, we deserve.
“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 *curse word*.
“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.
“All of these players who made the club big, [lists players like Sergio Aguero and David Silva] this one is for them.”
“This is what I have worked for my whole life” ❤️
An emotional Jack Grealish reflects on completing the treble 🏆#UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/0kpHjbK3ND
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
Jack Grealish to BT Sport: “This is what you work your whole life for. I’m so happy.
“I was awful but I don’t care. To win the treble with this group of players is so special.
“Everyone who knows me knows how much I love football and this is what I have worked for my whole life.
“Seeing my family in the crowd makes me so emotional.
“i just said to the manager ‘I want to thank you’. He has put so much faith in me. He is a genius.”
Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan to BT Sport: “Unbelievable. Difficult to put in words. Today we made history,
“It was difficult for both teams. We weren’t at our best in the first half. We were hesitating. We knew we had to do better in the second.
“It was probably a 50-50 game. We feel very fortunate it was for us.
“We knew everyone was talking about the Treble. The pressure was there but this team is built to handle the pressure in the best possible way.”
Breathe it in City fans! 🔵
You are champions of Europe!! 🤩#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/4KEEHP7ML9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 10, 2023
City defender Kyle Walker to BT Sport: “I’m over the moon. I’m rarely speechless. My dream has come true, to achieve this with this club. 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.
“I’m living the dream. My mum and dad are in the stands. From where I come from in Sheffield it’s not easy. I remember when my mum didn’t have a pound for the ice cream van. To have this with them, I’m so thankful.”
City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne talking to BT Sport: “It has been a hard two months. I had a lot of problems with my hamstring and it snapped.
“The team was good enough though and we won. We have been working so long for this, it is amazing.
“We have not lost in the Champions League this year. It was not the best game but now is the time to celebrate.”
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