Manchester City look to be blessed with a fully fit squad going into the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Of course, this is not the first time they have reached this stage of the competition, having made the showpiece event in Lisbon two years ago. However, they are still yet to clasp hands on the trophy itself.
This time around, they are stronger favourites than they were against Chelsea but have the added pressure of a potential treble on the line. Pep Guardiola has long jibed at the accusation that he over-thought during that 2021 final but City fans will be hoping he keeps it straight this time.
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Success breeds confidence, which is something further picked up in last weekend’s FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester United on Saturday. This may be partly why Guardiola may name the same XI that started at Wembley.
Kyle Walker was a fitness doubt but he was seen taking part in team training on Friday evening. He is expected to start at right-back in a back four with John Stones partnering Ruben Dias in the centre in front of Ederson and Manu Akanji on the left.
Rodri would act as the pivot, something that Guardiola abandoned in Lisbon two years ago. In-form captain Ilkay Gundogan is in undroppable form and will start alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who admitted he is dreaming and obsessing about lifting ‘big ears’.
He acted as the striker in 2021, but this time they have 51-goal Erling Haaland. Despite only netting once in his last seven outings, he will undoubtedly get the nod.
Jack Grealish has made the left wing his own this season while Bernardo Silva will occupy the right.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish.
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