Manchester City 1-0 Inter Milan: What Were The Key Talking Points As City Claim A Maiden Champions League Title And Are Crowned Treble Heroes?

In what was a history-making night from Istanbul on Saturday, Manchester City claimed a maiden Champions League title as they secured a famous 1-0 victory against Inter Milan.

Although Pep Guardiola’s side might have been far from their fluid best after watching Kevin de Bruyne limp off in the first-half, it was midfield talisman Rodri who wrote himself into City folklore as the Spanish international produced a devastating finish on the 68th-minute mark.

While the Sky Blues might have opened their date with destiny tipped as a runaway contender, the Premier League giants certainly didn’t have things their own way as they clashed against an Inter side who put in a hugely impressive display away from the San Siro.

With the Italian icons travelling out to Turkey enjoying what had been an extended purple patch, Simone Inzaghi’s side will still be feeling like they had done enough to spring a major Champions League upset.

Watching Chelsea-loanee squander a golden last-gasp chance, the Inter players feel to their knees at the full-time whistle as they had to watch Man City write their own piece of European history.

Becoming the first English club since 1999 to br crowned treble champions, Guardiola’s men now stand among the very elite from the modern era.

On a night when the English icons got their hands on a first Champions League crown, we have taken a look at the main talking points from an historic showdown in Istanbul.

Guardiola and his superstars cement their legendary status

While Manchester City might have eventually held of Arsenal’s charge last month as they claimed a fifth Premier League crown from the past six seasons, Guardiola had made it clear that Champions League success was at the very top of his agenda in 2023.

With the former Barcelona boss making it clear that his tenure at the Etihad would not be complete unless he brought a first European trophy to the Blue half of Manchester, the Spanish tactician also ended his own extended Champions League drought.

Not lifting Europe’s most iconic prize since his time in Catalonia over a decade ago, Guardiola and his history-making squad have enjoyed a record-breaking romp since returning from the World Cup’s winter break.

Becoming the first English club since Manchester United since way back in 1999 to be crowned treble champions, City have also cemented their spot as one of the best teams from the modern era.

Only continuing on a domestic romp since Guardiola arrived at the Etihad seven years ago and lifting a *seventh* FA Cup title at Wembley last weekend, it is hard to understate just how impressive City have been on their historic flurry over the past few months.

Two years on from their Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Chelsea, could we now be set for a major European dynasty over the coming seasons?

Rodri writes himself into Manchester City folklore

While the record-breaking Erling Haaland might have stollen most of Manchester City’s headlines this season, it has been Guardiola’s midfield star who has arguably been City’s key man in 2023.

Although the Etihad hierarchy might have spent £45million on welcoming Kalvin Phillips to Manchester last summer, Rodri has only continued to cement his spot as the Premier League’s top midfield star.

One of the first names on Guardiola’s team sheet and certainly the lynchpin behind everything positive that City have produced on their history-making flurry, the Spanish international wrote himself into Sky Blues folklore on Saturday night.

Producing that stunning winner on the 68th-minute mark and sending City’s travelling support into overdrive, Rodri topped off what has been an astonishing personal campaign for the ex-Atletico Madrid ace.

Featuring in all bar one of City’s Champions League appearances this season, the 26-year-old has also demonstrated why Guardiola holds so much faith in his midfield talisman.

Inter suffer Champions League heartbreak after prodding a masterplan

Although Inter Milan might have watched City steal many of the pre-final attention over the past week, Inzaghi’s men certainly arrived in Turkey riding what had been a real wave of momentum.

Opening Saturday’s showpiece event by winning 11 of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions, the Nerrazzuri undeniably shocked many as they came flying out the traps in Istanbul.

Frustrating the Premier League giants for large spells and producing double the amount of shots than Saturday’s opponents, Inter will know that they really couldn’t have implemented a better gameplay here.

While the former Lazio boss will know that his side will take some time to recover following their Champions League heartbreak, Inter should back on their post-World Cup flurry with plenty of positives.

Lifting both the Coppa Italia and Italy’s Super Cup since opening 2023, Inzaghi’s squad have certainly gained plenty of admirers from across Europe during their famous knockout stage adventure.

Clinching that iconic 3-0 aggregate semi-final romp against bitter local rivals AC Milan last month, Inter will know that on another night they could have sprung a heavyweight Champions League upset.

Match Report

Manchester City: Emerson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Foden, Walker

Inter Milan: Onana, Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Dimarco, Dzeko, Martinez

Subs: Mkhitarayan, Gosens, Mallanova, D’Ambrosio

Goals: Rodri (68’)

Yellow Cards: Manchester City: Haaland, Ederson – Inter Milan: Barella, Onana, Lukaku

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Szymon Marciniak