Guardiola: 'Inter are stronger than Man City, historically'

According to coach Pep Guardiola, past achievements are not important and Man City know how to play to defeat Inter in the Champions League final.

Inter have won the European Cup/Champions League three times, most recently in the 2009-2010 season. At that time, Jose Mourinho's team shocked the world by defeating top contenders Barca 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals, then beating Bayern 2-0 in the final thanks to a double from Diego Milito. Inter also won both Serie A and the Italian Cup, becoming the first Italian club to win the treble in one season.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has helped Man City dominate domestic competitions, including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, two Community Shields, but has yet to win the Champions League. Man City's best achievement in this arena was the 2021 final, where they lost 0-1 to Chelsea thanks to the only goal of Kai Havertz.

"To reach the final is a dream. We have been there before, but in different circumstances," Guardiola said at a press conference on June 6 before heading to Istanbul, Türkiye with his team. "The final depends on the specific performance in 90 minutes. History is not important, and if we look at history, Inter are stronger than Man City. What is important is that Man City play better than their opponents for at least 90 minutes, regardless of what you did in the group stage, the quarter-finals, last season, the Premier League or the FA Cup."

Guardiola at a press conference in Manchester on the afternoon of June 6, London time, before leaving with Man City for Türkiye to prepare for the Champions League final against Inter. Photo: mancity.com — Guardiola at a press conference in Manchester on the afternoon of June 6, London time, before leaving with Man City for Turkey to prepare for the Champions League final against Inter. Photo: *mancity.com*

In the Champions League final in Porto, Portugal two years ago, Guardiola caused controversy by leaving out both his key defensive midfielders, Fernandinho and Rodri. Instead, he deployed three technically gifted and attack-minded midfielders, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden. In addition, Guardiola pushed Kevin De Bruyne to play as the highest-ranked player in attack, and only brought on his two true strikers, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, when he was behind.

Asked about these decisions, Guardiola replied: "It's simple. If Man City wins, I'm right, and Man City loses, I'm wrong. I have to accept that in football. It was a tight game, Man City were better in many ways but lost. Should I have done something differently? Maybe, but it doesn't matter anymore."

The 52-year-old coach also pointed out the difference in Man City's mentality in the two finals. This season, the Manchester club won the Premier League and FA Cup, full of confidence and ambition to recreate Man Utd's historic treble in the 1998-1999 season. And before the 2021 final, in addition to the empty stadium due to Covid-19, Man City lost two consecutive matches against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea in the Premier League and FA Cup, and some doubts arose.

"Chelsea and Inter both play with five defenders, they have the same defensive approach," Guardiola added of City's two opponents. "Chelsea also counter-attacked well to punish us. There are some similarities, but not all. Hopefully Man City can attack better. But we know exactly what we have to do to beat Inter in terms of approach, with and without the ball. We have to be focused and want to finish this final differently than last time."

Guardiola admitted that winning the Champions League would take City to the next level. But he also praised the organisation and defence of Inter, who have conceded just three goals in six Champions League knockout games this season. The Spanish coach revealed that right-back Kyle Walker missed training on 6 June with a back injury because he did not want to take any risks.

Hong Duy

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