It’s time to award the greatest prize in all of club football. This Saturday, Manchester City and Inter meet in Istanbul for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League final. Don’t miss any of the action on CBS and Paramount+. City are the big favorites and are in the final for the second time since losing to Chelsea in 2021. Inter, meanwhile, are back in the big game for the first time since 2010 and sixth overall, and are aiming for a fourth European Cup win at the crown. The last time they did so was 13 years ago, when Jose Mourinho led a side featuring the likes of Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito to the top of European football.
Here’s everything you need to know, including our expert tips:
Saturday’s schedule
match picks
Manchester City
By James Benge
A player to watch: You may have heard about it Erling Haaland. He is very good at scoring goals and it says everything about the Herculean standards he has set this season that his current run of four games without a goal is the poorest stretch of his first season in English football. The Norwegian came to City purely as a goalscorer but has added new qualities to his game in recent months, most notably connecting with the rest of the front line. Regardless, it’s throwing the ball that makes him one of the best footballers in the world. If Inter makes even half a mistake, it will be punished.
Underestimated X-factor: Such has been City’s dominance in recent months that it almost feels like every player has had time to get their flowers. If you’re looking for a possible exception, it might be in the form Kyle Walker, whose explosive pace is one of the big factors behind the extremely high line of defense deployed by Pep Guardiola. Inter will try to find Lautaro Martinez in the back but Walker has shown against Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe he can slow down even the deadliest strikers.
Main reason they will win: Player for player, City is undoubtedly superior to the opposition. They also have the better manager, more experience at this stage of the Champions League and while Inter’s attacking capabilities are impressive there are few players you’d rather turn to when the game goes against you than Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden. The main reason why they will win then? Because they are the better team.
Main reason they will lose: The claim that Guardiola is his own worst enemy in the Champions League has been somewhat exaggerated; The sport has done very well in remembering the tactical changes that failed at City and Bayern Munich, while erasing from their collective memory the times when it got it right. However, the defeats to Lyon and Chelsea did come and it’s entirely plausible Guardiola will try something else as he’s had a week to think it all over. It could be the clincher that gets them victory, or it could cost them dearly.
Inter
By Francesco Porzio
A player to watch: It’s the year of Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine has already won the 2022 World Cup this season and has been a crucial player throughout the Champions League season with his club. In fact, Lautaro scored the decisive goal in the group stage at Camp Nou against Barcelona and then the decisive goal in the second leg of the semifinals against AC Milan. It’s his time.
Underestimated X-factor: Simone Inzaghi has shown that his decisions can make all the difference. Players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku, who are expected to start on the bench, can be crucial in the second half. The Belgian striker became a star in the second half of the season when he came on as a substitute and has scored goals against Porto and Benfica this term.
Main reason they will win: Inter are the underdogs of the final as the Nerazzurri are definitely not at the level of Manchester City. This could be the best news for Inzaghi’s men as they won’t be forced to cede the game to the Citizens and Pep Guardiola and will have less pressure to lift the trophy on Saturday. You have nothing to lose.
Main reason they will lose: Well, we all know that City are the better and stronger team. From a technical point of view, Inter cannot keep up and Guardiola’s team can also count on Erling Haaland this year, one of the best strikers in the world.
predictions
James Benge: City have the quality and confidence to assert themselves from the start and for all of Inter’s midfield qualities it’s impossible to imagine anything other than a game where Guardiola’s side dominate the ball. In the circumstances, an early goal could result in a rather disappointing final as City are confident that a defense which is among the best the competition has seen will eke out a convincing and controlled victory. Selection: Manchester City 2, Inter 0
Chuck Booth: After a flurry of fantastic saves from Andre Onana, Inter will do everything they can to put Manchester City on the brink, but it won’t be enough as Pep Guardiola’s machine will prevail on penalties. Selection: Manchester City 1, Inter 1 (City on penalties)
Roger Gonzalez: Haaland is the most dominant attacker in the world and on Saturday he will once again show why. The city finally made it. Selection: Manchester City 2, Inter 1
Jonathan Johnson: Inter certainly have the potential to make life difficult for City, but Guardiola’s men should finally give him that much-coveted UCL win. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to get past 90 minutes, but City should just about eclipse that chance. Selection: City 2, Inter 1.
Francesco Porzio: Even if it won’t be as easy for Manchester City as we can imagine, Guardiola’s team should manage it, especially if Inter will try to be more attacking and leave some space in the second half. Then City will win. Selection: City 3, Inter 1.