Manchester City will be looking to complete a historic Treble on Saturday when they take on Inter in the Champions League final.
After Ilkay Gundogan's stunning brace to help City beat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final last weekend, Pep Guardiola's side are just one victory away from winning a Treble following their Premier League triumph last month. The Champions League has been the one trophy that has evaded the City success over the last decade, but they enter the clash with Inter as clear favourites.
The closest City have ever got to winning the Champions League came in 2021 when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. So, could City finally win their first Champions League trophy and complete the Treble on Saturday?
We simulated the final to find out how it could go.
Man City vs Inter Champions League final clash simulated
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that City could set up in a 3-2-4-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
We predict that Inter could line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez.
Despite City dominating the game, Inter took a surprise lead minutes into the second half when Edin Dzeko headed Denzel Dumfries' cross into the net to finish off a rapid counterattack. After going ahead, the Italian side sat deep and defended their lead to make it difficult for Guardiola's side, but Haaland eventually found an equaliser with just seven minutes remaining.
With every man behind the ball, City patiently passed around the Inter box as they awaited a breakthrough. A one-two between Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne allowed the latter to break into the area, and his fizzed cross into the box found Haaland who tapped home after peeling away from his marker.
The game entered extra time with the two sides level, and just four minutes in, Inter regained the lead as substitute Robin Gosens fired a wonderful strike from 25 yards out into the far corner of the net. Once again, Inter dropped deep to defend their lead with their only attack coming on the break, but City eventually found another equaliser with their 31st shot of the game.
De Bruyne was instrumental for City all evening, and the Belgian's run from midfield wasn't tracked, allowing the 31-year-old to find some space just inside the box. Rodri's threaded pass picked out De Bruyne, and he got his shot off before being challenged, powering the ball past Andre Onana to make it 2-2.
Despite City having 68% possession and 36 shots to Inter's nine, the final went to penalties. De Bruyne and Haaland both buried the opening two penalties for Guardiola's side whilst Inter fell behind, with Romelu Lukaku striking the post and Nicolo Barella's effort saved by the feet of Ederson.
Riyad Mahrez's penalty was saved, but Inter fluffed their lines again, with Hakan Calhanoglu's strike saved by Ederson who was on top form. Julian Alvarez stepped up knowing his goal would win the shootout, and the Argentine sent the 'keeper the wrong way as City won 3-0 on penalties.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Man City 2-2 Inter (City win 3-0 on penalties)
FIFA 23 predicts that City could complete the Treble on Saturday, beating Inter on penalties in the simulation. Ederson proved the hero in the shootout, making two saves out of three after a dominant display across 120 minutes.
Match odds (via Bet365)
Match Result
- Man City - 9/20
- Draw – 7/2
- Inter Milan – 6/1
To Lift Trophy
- Man City – 2/9
- Inter Milan – 10/3
Goalscorers
Erling Haaland – First Goalscorer 21/10, Last Goalscorer 21/10, Anytime 4/6
Jack Grealish - First Goalscorer 17/2, Last Goalscorer 17/2, Anytime 3/1
Kevin de Bruyne - First Goalscorer 17/2, Last Goalscorer 17/2, Anytime 3/1
Ilkay Gundogan - First Goalscorer 11/1, Last Goalscorer 11/1, Anytime 4/1
Lautaro Martinez – First Goalscorer 9/1, Last Goalscorer 9/1, Anytime 10/3
Edin Dzeko - First Goalscorer 11/1, Last Goalscorer 11/1, Anytime 4/1
Romelu Lukaku - First Goalscorer 12/1, Last Goalscorer 12/1, Anytime 9/2
Nicolo Barella - First Goalscorer 14/1, Last Goalscorer 14/1, Anytime 5/1
Bet Boosts
- Jack Grealish over 0.5 assists, was 3/1 now 10/3
- Ilkay Gundogan to score from outside the box, was 18/1 now 20/1
- Bet Builder: Rodri to be booked + Rodri over 1.5 tackles + Rodri over 0.5 shots on target – was 18/1 now 20/1
- Bet Builder: Match result will be Man City + Over 2 goals + Ilkay Gundogan to score anytime – was 7/1 now 8/1
- Bet Builder: Phil Foden over 0.5 shots on target + Erling Haaland over 0.5 shots on target + Man City to lift the trophy – was 6/5 now 13/10
*Odds are subject to change. begambleaware.org 18+ #Ad
What do you think the final score will be between Man City and Inter? Let us know in the comments!
