Champions League final: Edin Dzeko says QPR goal 'just as important' as Sergio Aguero strike for Man City fortunes
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Updated 07/06/2023 at 08:02 GMT
As Edin Dzeko prepares to face former club Manchester City in a potentially historic Champions League final, the veteran striker has been speaking about the role he played in past City success, reminding people of his vital goal in their famous 3-2 victory over QPR to land a long-awaited league title in 2012. City will land the Treble if they beat Dzeko’s Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday.
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Not quite as iconic a line of commentary from Martin Tyler on that unforgettable afternoon when Manchester City won the Premier League in the most dramatic of circumstances, but a goal no less important than Sergio Aguero’s famous winning strike just moments later.
Edin Dzeko is set to line up for Inter in the Champions League final against his former club but remains proud of the part he played in City’s success that day and what followed.
City went on to win a further six Premier League titles and are on the brink of a first Champions League success, and may well have Dzeko’s 90th minute header against QPR to thank for setting them on their way.
The Bosnian striker is now tasked with stopping the runaway City train in Istanbul along with his Inter team-mates.
But Dzeko, who spent five years in Manchester, scoring 72 times and helping them to another league title in 2014, is looking forward to an emotional reunion with the club.
“It’s difficult,” he said in an exclusive interview with former City team-mate Joleon Lescott for BT Sport.
“I haven’t been there for like, eight years and I was praying that at some point in the Champions League I’d get the chance to play against City at the Etihad Stadium but unfortunately, I never got the chance.
“I know that we were a big part of the beginning of the City era which was the most important so now when I see City, I’m always happy. I know that I meant a lot to the club and the fans.”
On that dramatic May afternoon in 2012, City found themselves 2-1 down in the closing stages of the game at the Etihad, knowing only a win would be enough to win a first league title since 1968.
Staring defeat in the face, Dzeko rose highest from a late David Silva corner to head in an equaliser before Aguero sealed the win and the title.
As time goes on and the moment continues to be immortalised, Dzeko accepts his goal might be less discussed but insists it was just as important as his team-mate’s winner.
He added: “Obviously when you see the game, Aguero’s goal was like a relief and it brought us the title after so many years so it’s normal that goal is like, EVERYTHING. My goal was just as important but maybe people don’t talk about that as much as Aguero’s goal, which is normal.
“But I know that goal was a huge goal for Manchester City and the history of the club.”
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Edin Dzeko of Manchester City poses with the trophy following the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Ahead of the showdown with his former team in Turkey for Europe’s biggest prize, Dzeko says he is excited at the prospect of meeting the club he holds close to his heart.
“Like I said, I wanted to play them at some point in the Champions League but playing them [now] is a tough task for us but being in the final against MY club is a big thing for me so I’m looking forward to it," he said.
“I will have a lot of fans in the stadium on both sides so I cannot wish for more.”
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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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