City clinch treble with historic victory in Champions League Final

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Manchester City defeat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul to secure their first Champions League trophy at the same time as completing an impressive treble following their Premiership and FA Cup successes.

City started off nervous with several players misplacing passes. It looked like the weight of the favourite tags were weighing on them. Inter were working hard to put City players under pressure with Matinez and 37 year-old Dzeko, playing in his first final, putting the pressure on from the front. A misplaced pass and a mix up between Akanji and the goalkeeper resulted in Martinez cutting in from the left but he could not get the ball past Ederson who stood up and gave the Inter striker no angle at all.

Midway through the first half Kevin De Bruyne went down injured and was replaced by Phil Foden. This was a huge loss to the City midfield and for the rest of the half it was very tight with Inter giving City no time on the ball. A burst of pace from Haaland near the end of the first half helped create a chance for City but his shot from an acute angle was well saved by Onana to keep it at 0-0 going into the break.

Into the second half and the final finally came to life in the 68th minute after a spell of City pressure in and around the Inter penalty box. Bernado Silva rolled the ball to Rodri who calmly side footed his shot around two Inter defenders from 16 yards out to make it 1-0.

Inter, however, did not lie down. Lukaku came on with 20 minutes to go and Inter went more direct. It was not long until he had a chance from six yards out but he headed it down and it somehow hit off Ederson’s leg and was headed clear. Inter continued to press and towards the end were unlucky when they hit the cross bar and Ederson made another great save to his left punching the ball clear with seconds to go.

City however hung on for a famous victory and their players and fans greeted the final whistle with a mixture of relief and joy. After an incredibly long season they have not only achieved their first Champions League win but managed a treble at the same time, the first in England since their red neighbours managed it back in 1999.