Rodri's goal sinks an excellent Inter: City win the Champions League

How many times will we watch those chances back? Dimarco’s header that came off the bar, and then Lukaku’s effort that was somehow kept out by Ederson. Finally, another header, this time from Gosens at the death. The Brazilian goalkeeper just wasn’t going to be beaten. It’s hard to believe, but this is football and it can be very cruel. This wonderful Inter side, so strong and selfless, are enduring the bitter taste of defeat. Manchester City emerged victorious this evening, thus becoming the Champions of Europe. Guardiola’s side, full of champions and who play some brilliant football, have won the Champions League thanks to a 1-0 victory, but they were certainly made to sweat. Inter have lost, yes, and the season has ended in disappointment, but there’s also a feeling of endless pride following a huge performance in front of a brilliant Nerazzurri following. We’ve lost by a goal, we’ve lost after hitting the bar, after two huge chances, after an excellent first-half display, after conceding from just one of the very few opportunities we gave away. But there was so much selflessness, so much control of the spaces, so much courage. It just wasn’t quite enough. The Nerazzurri’s season has come to an end after 57 matches, two trophies and a Champions League final that was very much deserved.

The eyes of the world were on Istanbul this evening. From Milano and Manchester to the Turkish capital and the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. Because the final of the Champions League is truly something special, a showpiece event where a party-like atmosphere is soon replaced by an incredible amount of tension. Not even the pre-match show could ease the nerves that had built up during the excruciatingly long wait, and when Marciniak blew for kick-off, there was no going back. The final had begun.

City got on the ball straight away: Guardiola’s side looked to control the game and find gaps in the Nerazzurri defence. However, Inter were well organised, even if Bernardo Silva narrowly missed the target with an effort on the six-minute mark. An early scare following a bright City start, and then Inter came more and more into it. The Nerazzurri showed a great sacrificial spirit, fighting for every second ball and increasingly making inroads up the pitch. In particular, Barella and Dimarco were driving Inzaghi’s side forward, even if Ederson wasn’t being called into action.

The stadium was divided equally between Nerazzurri and Manchester City fans, but only Inter chants could be heard, the same ones that have accompanied the team throughout this very long campaign. There was a chance for Haaland in the 27th minute, but Onana was in place to keep out the Norwegian’s left-footed strike. Just as they were attempting to reassert control, City lost one of their key figures, with De Bruyne suffering a muscle problem and being replaced by Foden. Inter tried to take advantage of this, ending the half with more possession than they started it with and deservedly heading into the break on level terms.

Guardiola’s men were the quicker of the two teams after the break, but Inter withstood the pressure and didn’t concede any big chances. The defence kept City at bay, who were often trying to be too perfect in their attacking plays. Following indecision in the City backline, Lautaro found himself with the best chance of the game, but Ederson kept the backdoor shut from the Argentinian after 59 minutes. At the other end of the pitch, Acerbi, Darmian and Bastoni defended strongly and as a unit. But it wasn’t enough as they succumbed to City’s winner after 68 minutes. Akanji played a ball through for Bernardo into the box, whose cross deflected off Acerbi and fell to Rodri on the edge of the box, who coolly placed it past Onana into the back of the net. The stadium exploded as City thought they had won it, but Inter’s resolve was strong.

The Nerazzurri reacted immediately, pushing forward and coming close to an equaliser within minutes of going behind, as Dimarco’s header came back off the bar with Ederson stranded. It was a huge chance but there were more to come. Onana kept the score to 1-0, as Inzaghi looked to the bench for fresh legs: Lukaku replaced Dzeko, before Gosens, Bellanova, Mkhitaryan and D'Ambrosio were all introduced. A minute before stoppage time, Brozovic’s perfect cross was brilliantly laid off by Gosens for Lukaku, whose header somehow found Ederson’s knee from two yards out. Unbelievable! City continued to struggle and were happy to sit back and hold on to their lead. In the 96th minute, the last corner of the match came in and the Brazilian was there again to deny Gosens' header.

From this last chance, the umpteenth missed, the Nerazzurri’s dream was over. It was a superb team effort, who came so close to being among the stars. But we’ll be back and we’ll try again, together, with our fans who have travelled kilometres around Europe and who will forever love the one and only, Inter.

MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 INTER | FULL TIME

Goalscorers: 68' Rodri

MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1): 31 Ederson; 6 Akè, 3 Dias, 25 Akanji; 5 Stones (82' 2 Walker), 16 Rodri; 20 Bernardo Silva, 17 De Bruyne (36' 47 Foden), 8 Gundogan, 10 Grealish; 9 Haaland. Subs: 18 Ortega, 33 Carson, 4 Phillips, 14 Laporte, 19 Alvarez, 21 Gomez, 26 Mahrez, 32 Perrone, 80 Palmer, 82 Lewis. Coach: Pep Guardiola.

INTER (3-5-2): 24 Onana; 36 Darmian (84' 33 D'Ambrosio), 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni (76' 8 Gosens); 2 Dumfries (76' 12 Bellanova), 23 Barella, 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu (84' 22 Mkhitaryan), 32 Dimarco; 9 Dzeko (56' 90 Lukaku), 10 Lautaro. Subs: 1 Handanovic, 21 Cordaz, 5 Gagliardini, 6 De Vrij, 11 Correa, 14 Asllani, 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar. Coach: Simone Inzaghi. Referee: Marciniak (POL). Assistants: Sokolnicki, Listkiewicz (POL). Fourth official: Kovács (ROU). Video Assistant Referee: Kwiatkowski (POL).

Injury time: 2' 5'

Bookings: 59' Barella, 83' Lukaku, 93' Onana, 93' Haaland, 93' Ederson