Manchester City are bidding to win their first-ever European Cup and complete a historic treble on Saturday as they take on Inter Milan.
This could finally be the year that City and Pep Guardiola end their long wait for the Champions League.
However, still face a very strong Inter Milan side who are more than deserving of their ticket to Istanbul.
101 Great Goals have done our combined xi for Saturday’s showdown and it’s not entirely as one-sided as you may have thought…
GK: André Onana
André Onana has enjoyed a magnificent season with Inter Milan. The Cameroonian shot-stopper has kept 19 clean sheets in total this season. In the Champions League, Onana has both the most saves made (45) and clean sheets having not conceded in 8 of his 12 appearances.
Alessandro Bastoni has also played a key role in helping Inter Milan very defensively sound in the competition this season. The Italian has played in all but one of Inter’s matches in the competition. He has three assists to his name in the Champions League, including in his Man of the Match performance against SL Benfica in the quarter-finals.
CB: Rúben Dias
Rúben Dias has once again been a stalwart in Manchester City’s defence. The 26-year-old has now firmly established himself as one of the best central defenders in Europe.
RCB: John Stones
John Stones has elevated his performances to another level this season. Stones has played in both defence and even midfield, such is his ability on the ball. This season, he has without a doubt been one of the best centre-backs on the continent.
CDM: Rodri
Rodri has played a pivotal role in City’s success this season having been absolutely solid in midfield. The Spaniard is another player from City who can certainly be regarded as one of the best in the world in his position.
CM: Nicolò Barella
Nicolò Barella might just be one of the most underrated midfielders in Europe. The 26-year-old has produced another fine season with Inter having produced 19 goal contributions in total.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been outrageously good this season, even by his own standards. The Belgian has a staggering 31 assists and 10 goals in all competitions. He has regularly stepped up in the big moments for City and
RM: Denzel Dumfries
There is a reason that Denzel Dumfries has made 50 appearances for Inter this season. The flying wing-back has been key for Simone Inzaghi’s team this season with two goals and seven assists in all competitions.
LM: Jack Grealish
Having been made to patiently wait for his chance in his first season at City, Jack Grealish has exploded this year under Guardiola. Grealish’s name is now one of the first on the teamsheet and another integral member of this team. His hard work in both the attacking and defensive phases has really made him stand out.
ST: Lautaro Martínez
If Inter are to stand a chance of winning the Champions League, Lautaro Martínez will need to be on his A game. The striker has been brilliant this season netting 28 goals in all competitions. The last time Inter were in a Champions League final, another Argentine striker in the form of Diego Milito fired them to glory as he netted a brace against Bayern Munich. Lautaro will be hoping to run it back on Saturday.
ST: Erling Haaland
With 56 goals in total, not even Erling Haaland’s biggest supporters could have foreseen such a remarkable first season in England. He has taken the league and Europe by storm this season and could quite possibly be the man to finally get City over the line in the Champions League. If Manchester City complete the treble, he will go down as the MVP.
