MAN CITY VS INTER MILAN
Saturday 10th June, 8pm
Man City @ 4/9
Draw @ 18/5
Inter @ 11/2
view odds
Like the antagonist in the 1971 Steven Spielberg movie Duel, Manchester City keep moving mechanically, menacingly forward. An unstoppable light blue wave; coldly consuming all the terrain that lies before them.
Premier League title scoffed; The Double duly devoured. And now, without a pause for thought, they have their hungry eyes set on the Champions League trophy…and the extra that comes tagged-on like platinum ribbons: The Treble.
To be honest, Pep & Co are also probably a bit miffed they didn’t get their hands on the Europa Conference League trophy too. Something to aim for in the future, perhaps lads?
Such has been the manner of Manchester City’s recent triumphs – confident, efficient, and largely devoid of jeopardy – that many football fans are now left experiencing only minor spasms of excitement ahead of the Champions League Final in Istanbul on Saturday night.
For a good chunk of observers it is probably a case of ‘oh, let’s just get it over with so we can all focus on the realentertainment that top flight football provides: wild, unsubstantiated transfer speculation!’
‘Markus Kronksplüttter is miles better than Spjont Fipp – I watched a 30 second Youtube video of him, he looks mint!’ ‘70 million is a lot for Ruben Gastro Senior, but he’s easily the best 12 year old Guatamalan I’ve ever seen!’ ‘Rembrandt van Giblets spent a week in the Ajax Youth Team, and will come with his own, extensive NFT collection!’ ‘Come on, you muppets! Announce Genérico!’
Now that’s football.
Anyway, back to the other stuff, is there any reason to believe that Man City v Inter won’t be just another thrill-free procession?
Well, Inter do have a reputation for being cup specialists. Although this will be their first Champions League final since 2010 – when José Mourinho outwitted Luis van Gaal’s Bayern Munich – if they do somehow win, they will complete a notable trophy treble of their own.
Now, the Italian Cup, plus the Supercoppa (a sort of Charity Shield on steroids), and a legitimately shiny European trinket may not be the most sought after treble one can achieve in the game; but it is still a treble. And may God help you if José Mourinho overhears you suggesting otherwise. Publicly belittle his 2016/17 season achievements for Manchester United and you will never feel safe in a stadium car park ever again.
Inter also possess a refined ability to damage opponents via the wings. Over and under-lapping full-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco know that there will always be a magnetic shiny forehead or two seeking out one of their curving crosses.
Obviously this a far from revelatory approach, and Manchester City’s defence is peopled with six-footers who been able to deal with almost all attempts pinged in their direction this season. But what if one of their centre-backs is…not there?
Much has been made of John Stones’ patented new position on the pitch: he starts in defence, moves forward a bit – surreptitiously, drifts into the lumbar spine of the midfield region – and then stays there. He cunningly dons the mask of a midfielder. It is a truly extraordinary transmogrification.
So imagine if, on Saturday night, John Stones becomes obsessed with showing this new role to the world – begins to see himself as Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiling a fresh range of i-goggles – and briefly neglects his defensive duties?
There could be space to exploit. And, in Lautaro Martinez, the blue and black Milan outfit have a big-game attacker who will be keen to move into this potential lacuna and inflict some serious damage. Whether he will be given enough (or even any) opportunities to do that, and leave Manchester City feeling black and blue, however, remains to be seen…
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