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On Saturday, June 10th, Manchester City face Inter Milan in what is arguably the biggest match in the club’s history. City are playing not only for their first-ever Champions League victory but also for a treble – something only Manchester United have ever achieved in English football.
If City do come out on top against Inter Milan, something that they are expected to do based on the pre-match odds, then it will cement Pep Guardiola’s position as one of the greatest coaches to ever exist. The notion that the Spaniard is unable to win Europe’s top prize without Lionel Messi has plagued Guardiola for the past decade and he will be desperate to put it to bed on Saturday.
However, Inter Milan aren’t going to be an easy nut to crack. The Italians may not have the money, the big names or the flair of Manchester City but they have something that money can’t buy – a rich history of success and tradition. Inter are regarded as one of Europe’s biggest clubs and are playing for their fourth Champions League title on Saturday.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Head-to-Head record
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Given both teams have been regulars in European football for the past 15 years, it may come as a surprise that they have never faced each other in a competitive match. This means that the final on Saturday is the first meeting between the two clubs.
The two clubs have faced off in two pre-season friendlies with the most recent encounter coming in July 2011 when Manchester City were still minnows in European football. On that occasion, Roberto Mancini led City to a 3-0 win over Inter with Edin Dzeko, who is expected to start up front for Inter on Saturday, getting on the scoresheet for the Blues.
Mario Balotelli, who has also played for both clubs, also scored in the game while Adam Johnson scored the third goal in stoppage time.
In their only other pre-season encounter, Inter Milan ran out 3-0 winners in a game that took place just a few months after they last became Champions League winners. It was one of the first games in the post-Jose Mourinho era after he left the club to join Real Madrid just days after leading Inter to their own treble.
Edin Džeko: "I’m 37 years old and this is my first and probably last Champions League final, but you never know. I want to enjoy it. We had an excellent season in the Champions League (…) being part of this final is an incredible feeling, I‘m ready to give 100%."
(@btsport) 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/f8ZS9uZdrl
— Chef (@Ultimative_Chef) June 8, 2023
Manchester City’s record against Italian clubs
Manchester City have a fairly average record against Italian clubs with the Blues taking on the likes of Juventus, Atalanta and Roma in Champions League and UEFA Cup action over the years. Their very first meeting with an Italian club came against Juventus in 1976 with City winning 1-0 at Maine Road.
In 16 meetings against Italian teams, City have won six, drawn six and lost four. They will be confident of making that seven wins in 17 encounters on Saturday night.
Inter Milan’s record against English clubs
Given Inter Milan’s long history in European competitions, it isn’t surprising they have played more games against English opposition than City have faced Italian teams. In total, Inter have played 38 matches against English opponents, winning 15, losing 17 and drawing six.
Interestingly, Manchester United also had to overcome Inter Milan on the way to their treble in 1999. Over two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals, United came ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate with a late Paul Scholes goal in the San Siro securing victory for the Red Devils.
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