Manchester City Won The UEFA Champions League 2023 with Rodri's strike in 1-0 victory
- 11 months ago
Man City are UEFA Champions League winners for the first time after a 1-0 win against Inter thanks to Rodri's second-half strike.
Manchester City are UEFA Champions League winners – completing a treble to boot – for the first time following a 1-0 win against Inter that came thanks to Rodri's goal midway through the second half.
City navigated an unbeaten path to the final, racking up a competition-best 31 goals in the process, so it was little surprise that they started on the front foot. Inter had let in only one goal in six knockout games, however, and for so long did an excellent job of marshaling their opponents' galaxy of attacking talent.
Erling Haaland – subsequently flagged offside – and Bernardo Silva did both go close in the opening stages, but it was not until the 27th minute that Kevin De Bruyne unpicked the Nerazzurri lock and Haaland got off a firm shot at goal; André Onana, as usual, was positioned well.
De Bruyne is so often City's creator-in-chief, but the man with 31 assists this season came off injured before half-time; Josep Guardiola's team would have to think again.
Their faith was tested once more before the hour, Manuel Akanji misjudging a Bernardo Silva pass to allow Lautaro Martínez to pounce. On this occasion, Ederson was alert enough to close down the angle.
Onana had no such luxury at the other end when a neat City move resulted in the ball dropping to Rodri just inside the penalty area; City's midfield pivot showed characteristic calm to side-foot into the corner. The treble was on.
Inter were far from deflated by going behind, though, and, just three minutes later, so nearly drew level, only for Federico Dimarco's looping header to strike the crossbar.
De Bruyne's replacement, Phil Foden, soon went close at the other end, but there was still time for one last nerve-jangler for Guardiola and his charges. Romelu Lukaku's close-range header somehow ricocheted off Ederson's knee and the engraver could finish adding City's name to the trophy for the first time.
Manchester City are UEFA Champions League winners – completing a treble to boot – for the first time following a 1-0 win against Inter that came thanks to Rodri's goal midway through the second half.
City navigated an unbeaten path to the final, racking up a competition-best 31 goals in the process, so it was little surprise that they started on the front foot. Inter had let in only one goal in six knockout games, however, and for so long did an excellent job of marshaling their opponents' galaxy of attacking talent.
Erling Haaland – subsequently flagged offside – and Bernardo Silva did both go close in the opening stages, but it was not until the 27th minute that Kevin De Bruyne unpicked the Nerazzurri lock and Haaland got off a firm shot at goal; André Onana, as usual, was positioned well.
De Bruyne is so often City's creator-in-chief, but the man with 31 assists this season came off injured before half-time; Josep Guardiola's team would have to think again.
Their faith was tested once more before the hour, Manuel Akanji misjudging a Bernardo Silva pass to allow Lautaro Martínez to pounce. On this occasion, Ederson was alert enough to close down the angle.
Onana had no such luxury at the other end when a neat City move resulted in the ball dropping to Rodri just inside the penalty area; City's midfield pivot showed characteristic calm to side-foot into the corner. The treble was on.
Inter were far from deflated by going behind, though, and, just three minutes later, so nearly drew level, only for Federico Dimarco's looping header to strike the crossbar.
De Bruyne's replacement, Phil Foden, soon went close at the other end, but there was still time for one last nerve-jangler for Guardiola and his charges. Romelu Lukaku's close-range header somehow ricocheted off Ederson's knee and the engraver could finish adding City's name to the trophy for the first time.