UCL: Citizens gets glory with Rodri winner

By Okezie Omorogie

The first Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
And the stage was set for the grand finale of the 2022/2023 UEFA champions league between Manchester City and Internazionale Milan with Rodri winning the goal as Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory and completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan.

The defensive midfielder drove home the goal in the 68th minute from the edge of the 18-yards. Premier League winners, City defeated the Italians in a much emphatic final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday.
The match was a fierce one, as fate seemed impossible when City suffered a serious blow in pursuit of the prize that has eluded them for so long due to Kevin De Bruyne’s injury early in the first half. Goal poacher, Erling Haaland was also kept quiet by a defiant Inter side but Rodri eventually made the difference with a solid strike after a Bernardo Silva pass was deflected into his path.

The city had gone into the match as strong favourites to lift the trophy after defeating Madrid and Bayern Munich in the semi and quarter-finals respectively but the Italian Seria A side proved their worth in the match, setting out with a determination to give in their best and take up goal chances as well as ensure quality in their backline. Perhaps it was City’s indolent start and lack of the usual sparkle, that gave Inter courage as Federico Dimarco sparked a threatening attack after seizing possession but Marcelo Brozovic’s shot was deflected wide.

Ederson also seemed nervous and misplaced a pass that handed Nicolo Barella a long-range shot and fortunately for the Brazilian goalie, Barella’s effort was nowhere near the target. Haaland had his first attempt after being played in by De Bruyne but Andre Onana blocked his first-time shot. And in a quick style, De Bruyne tried his luck himself from a distance but his effort lacked power and his second final would endure more frustration soon after as the Belgian international went down clutching his hamstring 10 minutes before the break and, despite attempts to run off the problem, was forced to admit defeat soon after and was replaced by Phil Foden.
The second half was well underway with a similar style as the first half as Inter eventually started to push forward more and make dangerous attacks and counterattacks. The Citizens had once again made a bad execution with the ball, just before the hour when Manuel Akanji reacted slowly to Bernardo’s pass and Lautaro Martinez charged into the box.

Former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was well placed in the centre but Martinez decided to go for goal himself and in an unfortunate manner, Ederson completely blocked his effort.

City made the most of that reprieve and took the lead moments after a John Stones cross was deflected close to his own goal by Alessandro Bastoni. Akanji played the key pass as he picked out Silva and his cutback eventually fell to Rodri, who fired the ball into the net from the edge of the 18-yard box.
City fans greeted the strike with a mixture of celebration and relief but they were given a scare minutes later when Dimarco hit the woodwork with a looping header and then headed against Lukaku on the rebound. The Citizens came close to extending their lead when Foden had a chance to put City in firm control when he burst through a gap into the area for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Onana got down well to make the save.

The Citizens would go on to survive a late scare when Inter centre forward, Lukaku’s header hit Ederson’s legs on the goal line and was put behind by Ruben Dias for a corner late in the extra time and the final whistle was greeted by a wild and wide jubilant celebration.
Thus, completes a momentous season for the Citizens, having won the FA Cup last Saturday against bitter rivals Manchester United as well as a fifth Premier League title in six years.

Such magnate numerous feat means they have joined rivals Manchester United as the only side to have won all three trophies in the same season. City’s Manager, Pep Guardiola could also celebrate Champions League success again 12 years after the second of his two wins as Barcelona boss.