'They are better than us' - Manchester City boss wary of Inter threat ahead of UEFA Champions League final

'They are better than us' - Manchester City boss wary of Inter threat ahead of UEFA Champions League final

Ayoola Kelechi 23:52 - 06.06.2023

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola believes that Inter hold an advantage over the Cityzens ahead of the UEFA Champions League final

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confessed ahead of the UEFA Champions League final that there is one aspect where opponents Inter have the advantage over them, although he acknowledged that his side is probably the overall favourite for the tie. 

Guardiola embraces favourites tag

Guardiola will lead his Manchester City team against Inter, hoping to win the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title and the first European treble in England since Manchester United in 1999. 

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Speaking ahead of the final, Guardiola said “It is a final against a top team and we have to do it. We are confident, I’m so optimistic, but at the same time, I cannot deny the quality of the opponent. 

“I have never done that and especially not in the final of the Champions League.”

Manchester City's Pep Guadiola
Guardiola has already led Manchester City to the Premier League and FA Cup triumphs this season

Guardiola embraced the favourites tag ahead of the final, but also mentioned that Manchester City will have to be at their best regardless of who pundits believe will come out on top. 

“We are used to it being favourites.” Guardiola said, continuing, “Why should it be more dangerous? Accept the role and go out there knowing the quality of the opponents. We accept what people say, no problem.”

Guardiola notes Inter's unique advantage

The Manchester City manager however noted that Inter had a specific advantage over his side, despite most people seeing the Cityzens as favourites, but the Spaniard already knows what to so to combat the inequality. 

When asked about Inter’s history in the competition, compared to his side, Guardiola said, “We’re going to try to do our best and we know the final is how you behave in that specific 95 minutes, not history. For history, they are better than us.

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“It is about what you have to do to be better than the opponent in 95 minutes, it doesn’t count what you have done in the group stages or the Premier League or the FA Cup. We have to be better than them.”

Manchester City will be looking to claim their first title in the competition, while Inter will be going for their fourth after last winning the tophy in 2010. 

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