Erling Haaland can net his 100th Manchester City goal against Inter
Manchester City begin their quest to regain the Champions League trophy with a repeat of that gripping final two seasons ago.
Pep Guardiola’s gladiators were in such captivating form that it was widely assumed they would put Inter Milan to the sword with the minimum of fuss.
But it didn’t turn out that way and they needed to rely on their defensive prowess rather than their attacking grace to emerge triumphant – and complete the Treble – thanks to the only goal of the game from Rodri.
Inter could have taken the final into extra-time but Romelu Lukaku missed a sitter, giving jubilant City fans an extra half hour to party in Istanbul.
The rematch at the Etihad Stadium should be an intense affair with Simone Inzaghi’s side capable of matching City’s spellbinding skills.
This could well be a tale of two goalscorers, with Erling Haaland off to a flying start to the domestic season with his two goals at home to Brentford on Saturday taking his tally to nine goals in four games and ensuring City are the only top-flight team with a perfect record.
Inter, who have previously won Champions League matches at Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, drew 1-1 at Monza at the weekend and their star striker Lautaro Martinez hasn’t found the net in his three starts this season.
Excluding last season’s penalty shoot-out defeat City have not lost any of their last 23 matches in this competition. But while Inter tend to fly under the radar when Europe’s best clubs are discussed, they have lost just three of their last 20 Champions League outings.
It will be interesting to see if Phil Foden, an unused substitute against Brentford, gets many minutes before Sunday’s crunch match with visiting Arsenal but Haaland remains the centre of attention.
He has scored 99 goals in 103 appearances for City and can reach the century in style by opening the scoring at 3/1 with Paddy Power and Betfair while Martinez is the same price with the same firms, bet365 and Sky Bet to make the net bulge at any time.
City are 15/2 with bet365 to win a rollicking affair 2-1.
• Coventry are likely to face a Carabao Cup backlash at home to Tottenham even if Ange Postecoglou makes numerous changes. Dominic Solanke is highly likely to keep his place to get more playing time in a Spurs shirt and is 9/2 with bet365 to score the first goal.
• In-form Brighton are 8/13 with William Hill to beat a Wolves side which can’t catch a break at the Amex Stadium.