Manchester City's road to the Champions League final
Manchester City and Inter Milan clash in Istanbul on Saturday, with both clubs aiming to collect the ultimate prize in European football - the UEFA Champions League title.
WHEN: Saturday, 10 June.
BROADCAST DETAILS: SS Premier League channel (203/223). Build-up from 7pm CAT, kick-off 9pm.
Here we take a look at Manchester City's route to the final, which began back in September 2022.
Uefa coefficient ranking: 1
This season in the UCL (12 Matches): Won 7, Drew 5, Lost 0, Goals For 31, Goals Against
Group G: Winners
Round of 16: Won 8-1 agg v Leipzig
Quarterfinals: Won 4-1 agg v Bayern
Semifinals: Won 5-1 agg v Real Madrid
Pedigree
Last final appearance: 2021 (Lost 0-1 v Chelsea)
Last season: Semifinals (Lost 5-6 agg v Real Madrid)
Best European Cup performance: Runners-up (2020/21)
Campaign so far
City wasted little time in securing their place in the knockout stage for the tenth successive season, but it wasn't all plain sailing for Pep Guardiola's star-studded ensemble. They needed a spectacular winner from the prolific Erling Haaland to complete the turnaround against Dortmund in September before playing over an hour with ten men in a goalless draw at Copenhagen.
After a quiet display in the last-16 first leg against Leipzig, Haaland hit a record-breaking five goals in the return before adding two more to his tally in an emphatic last-eight triumph against Bayern. The goals came from elsewhere in the semifinals, and City were perhaps as impressive as ever as they cruised past holders Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate.
Why they can go all the way
City have one of the game's most astute tacticians, phenomenal strength in depth and one of the best strikers of his generation at their disposal. Why shouldn't they lift the trophy in Istanbul in June? There are no guarantees in a competition where fine margins so often prove decisive, but Guardiola's team fear no one. With Lady Luck on their side, a maiden Champions League crown could be just around the corner.
How do Man City play?
John Stones' role as part of a double pivot when City have possession – which is the majority of the time – has enabled Guardiola's team to exert even greater levels of control in games. Pinning opponents in their own half with a high defensive line, City circulate the ball with trademark ease until the relentless pressure finally tells. Unlike last season, when Guardiola often operated with a false nine, the Cityzens now have arguably the most prolific focal point in the game to finish off their free-flowing moves.
Coach: Josep Guardiola
One of the most decorated coaches in world football, the 52-year-old won this competition twice with Barcelona but will be desperate to end his 12-year wait for a third triumph. Scooped three league titles apiece at the helm of the Catalan club and Bayern, and made it four Premier League winners' medals with City in 2021/22.
Key player: Kevin De Bruyne
Haaland would be the obvious choice – 51 goals this season makes him pretty influential, after all – but De Bruyne remains a talismanic figure, contributing a constant supply of chances for the relentless Norwegian. The 31-year-old midfielder has assisted 28 goals in all competitions this term – his most in a single campaign for the club. The Belgian also has a habit of rising to the big occasion, with 11 of his 14 Champions League goals for City coming in the knockout stages.
At 22 years 272 days old and after only 27 games, Haaland was both the youngest and the quickest player to reach 35 Champions League goals.
Advertisement