Inter Milan returns to the big stage after its last Champions League final appearance since 2010. The club beat Serie A rivals AC Milan 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash and finished off their rivals 1-0 to advance to the finals 3-0 on aggregate. The three-time European champion takes on Manchester City after they sent home defending champions Real Madrid.

Facing a team like City will not be a walk in the park. Pep Guardiola’s team is regarded as the best team in Europe right now. Nonetheless, Inter earned their spot in the final in Istanbul with flying colors. They believe they have what it takes to maintain a close scoreline with the Premier League champions.

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What Makes Inter Milan a Heavy Contender Against Manchester City?

High five #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/IXqIbSVVMy

— Inter (@Inter) June 2, 2023

READ MORE: Why Manchester City Will Win the 2023 UEFA Champions League

Getting Past League Rivals AC Milan

Inter is the better of the two Milan teams this season, sitting third in the standings, while AC sits fifth. They are the choice team on paper, winning all three contests in this year alone. And while the two clubs share the iconic San Siro Stadium, Inter was clearly dominant in the opener despite playing under the pressure of AC Milan fans. The Nerazzurri should’ve trashed their opponents with more goals. However, they gave the Rossoneri a fighting chance–one AC Milan failed to capitalize on in their previous meeting.

The first match narrative saw all Inter. With their own supporters behind them, the “hosts” controlled momentum for over an hour before Martinez found the back of the net. While the attacking responsibility fell on the Rossoneri’s lap, Stefano Pioli’s crew tried to limit the damage. But, Inter plugged the holes quickly. They were content to sit back and defend and attempt to forge counterattacks. Inter eventually outshot the hosts, 14 to five, and forced a couple of saves out of Mike Maignan, who was easily AC Milan’s pillar over the two games.

The Underdog Story

Whether the opponent is the relentless Manchester City or UEFA Champions League record holders Real Madrid, Inter will always be the underdog of the finals in Turkey. Nevertheless, in a one-off brawl at a neutral venue, Simone Inzaghi’s squad has a better chance of completing the upset than they would have in another home and away contest.

No matter what the odds tell you, this team has a chance at a win. They have high morale and team chemistry that can pressure the biggest clubs. Uncertainty will always be part of the finals. Remember what happened with Chelsea? The North London Premier League team stunned the juggernaut that is Manchester City just two years ago.

Furthermore, the Nerazzurri weren’t the favorites in 2010 either. The numbers did not stop them from overpowering Bayern Munich 2-1 in Madrid. It will be fascinating to see if the Serie A side silences the doubters with another shock victory to cap off the 2022-23 season on a positive note.

Preparing for a Match of a Lifetime

Inter went through demanding times to hang with Man City, especially with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s availability after the Armenian was forced off the pitch due to injury before halftime of their recent international clash with AC Milan. He scored the second goal in the 2-0 win in the first leg, which makes him the club’s key component to gain one step closer to victory.

This isn’t City’s game. Despite being heavy favorites, Inter Milan can come out and play the game of their lives. The Premier League outfit can crumble under pressure and struggle mightily. Inter holds more European experience, taking the then-European titles in 1964 and 1965. They followed this up with a third Champions League trophy in 2010 versus another heavy favorite, Bayern Munich. That was the last time a Serie A club won the competition.

Ultimately, Inter has looked at its very best in recent weeks. The Nerazzurri powered through a grueling season and secured a top-four spot in Serie A to go with the Coppa Italia title. All of this is down to team management–physically and mentally. Inter’s physical condition looked as good in recent weeks as it ever has. Inzaghi has always commended his team with a certain finesse, leading to a unified unit and newfound confidence when many other teams have looked mentally worn out.

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