Champions League final 2023: Simone Inzaghi says underdogs Inter Milan 'calm' ahead of Manchester City showdown
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Updated 06/06/2023 at 15:26 GMT
The Champions League final is upon us with Manchester City looking to make history this weekend. Standing in their way however are Inter Milan, a team of great prestige in the competition having last won in 2010, and despite the tag of underdogs in Istanbul, the Serie A side will be going into the match full of confidence - say manager Simone Inzaghi and club legend Javier Zanetti.
Inzaghi calls Man City 'strongest team in the world' ahead of Champions League final
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi and club legend Javier Zanetti have told BT Sport the team won’t be overawed in their Champions League final clash against Manchester City, insisting the players will ‘give everything’ in Istanbul.
The Serie A side go into the match as underdogs against a formidable City side who have their eyes on a first ever Champions League win as well as a historic treble.
But speaking at the club’s media day ahead of the final, Zanetti, who serves as the club’s vice-president, believes the team are looking forward to the match.
“Play with great enthusiasm and personality,” he said of Inter’s intended approach to the match, which will be shown live on BT Sport in the UK. “Doing what we've done in previous games which has led to us getting this opportunity to play in the final.
“We're aware that we're up against a top team but Inter have deserved to make it to this final, and the team will give everything they've given before, but again.”
Inter navigated their way through a group featuring Bayern Munich and Barcelona followed by knockout wins over Porto and Benfica before a semi-final showdown with city rivals AC, who they dispatched convincingly over two legs.
Manager Inzaghi, who led the side to a third-place league finish and a Coppa Italia win, feels the players are used to playing in big games and will relish the prospect of going toe-to-toe with the English champions.
“We've been calm because we've had so many big games before Saturday's,” he said. “We had the Coppa Italia final as well as a Champions League place to seal [in Serie A].
“Games were coming thick and fast but we could sense this big game coming.
“We'll approach the game in the best way possible.”
Despite having won the competition three times in their history, compared to none for their opponents, the strength of the Premier League champions at present cannot be ignored as they stand on the brink of history.
Inzaghi, 47, is looking to cap off his own special season with his team but is under no illusions as to their status going into the game.
“I don't think we're being underestimated,” Inzaghi admitted. “We've got lots of respect and know that Manchester City are the best team in the world.
“However we know that we've had a great season and have fully deserved to make this final.
“We'll give it all we've got, knowing that we're up against the best out there right now.”
Zanetti, who played in Inter’s own treble winning team of 2010, also acknowledged City boss Pep Guardiola’s fine work at the Etihad, but suggested Inzaghi could be ready to spring a surprise on Saturday.
“Guardiola is a top coach,” he said. “And he hasn't just proved that at Manchester City, rather his career as a whole.
“We're aware that he's really smart, but we know that Inzaghi is capable of preparing well for the match.
“He prepared well for previous games and he'll prepare for this one in the best way possible.”
On June 10 and 11 strap yourself in for a live sport rollercoaster ride. With the finals of Roland-Garros, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speedway Grand Prix, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Criterium du Dauphine, MotoGP and the Champions League final, it’s the Weekend of Champions live on Eurosport, discovery+ and BT Sport.
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