CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

When was the last time Man City played in the Champions League final?

Pep Guardiola’s side are strong favourites to lift their first ever Champions League trophy this Saturday as they face Inter Milan in Istanbul.

DAVID RAMOSPool via REUTERS

Manchester City are gunning for a historic treble (FA Cup, Premier League and Euro glory) as they face off against Inter Milan in at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on 10 June.

Despite being a continuous presence in the Champions League in recent times (after the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour), City have only made one UCL final in the past twelve seasons that they have competed in the highest profile club competition on the continent.

Prior to the 2022/23 campaign, the Sky Blues were forced to endure semi-final exits twice, and both at the hands of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini oversaw the ‘Cityzens’ campaign in the 2015/16 campaign when a solitary goal from the LaLiga side in Manchester was enough to secure an 0-1 aggregate lead.

Madrid were the the nemesis once again last season when the Spanish side progressed 6-5 on aggregate after two wild semi-final games in Manchester and in the Spanish capital.

This year, revenge was sweet for City fans as they swept Madrid away with a 4-0 masterclass at the Etihad Stadium after the sides drew level 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the 2-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-finalsADAM VAUGHANEFE

Porto final

After dispatching Borussia Monchengladbach, Dortmund and PSG in the latter stages of the 20/21 competition, City found themselves pitted against Chelsea in an all Premier League final.

The game was moved from Istanbul to Porto due to covid issues in Turkey and was the first high profile event during the pandemic that saw a significant number of fans be allowed to attend.

14,000 supporters of both teams were present on 29 May to see a solitary Kai Havertz goal secure a second UCL win for the Stamford Bridge and leave a bitter taste in the mouth for City fans.

Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the Champions League TrophyAlexander Hassenstein - UEFAUEFA via Getty Images

Guardiola’s men are presented with a golden opportunity on Saturday to make amends for the Porto defeat as City start the 22/23 final as strong favourites over Italian side Internazionale.

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