UEFA made an embarrassing error on their social media channels on Wednesday as they confirmed the Champions League finalists before Manchester City’s second leg against Real Madrid.
Europe’s governing body, which administers the Champions League tournament, put up a tweet two hours before kick-off in Wednesday’s second leg at the Etihad, stating: “The finalists are confirmed and the scene is set. Answer 5 questions correctly for the chance to head to Istanbul!”
The tweets were sent out twice with each accompanied by an image of the Champions League trophy alongside the badges of Inter and one of City or Real Madrid. Of course, the outgoing Spanish champions are tied at 1-1 in their last four clash against City following last week’s tense clash in Madrid. Both tweets have now been deleted.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side dumped City out of the competition last year on their way to being crowned European champions, with a dramatic victory in the second leg. After a first-leg 4-3 defeat in Manchester, they trailed 1-0 in the Spanish capital until two goals in injury time brought extra time with a Karim Benzema clinching progress.
City, who have never won the competition and their only final appearance was a defeat against Chelsea in 2021, are the favourites to lift this season’s crown with many believing the winners of that semi-final clash will be strongly tipped to beat Inter in next month’s showpiece.
Striker Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the second leg to give victory to Simone Inzaghi’s side on the night, to wrap up a comprehensive victory on aggregate.
The Nerazzurri were two goals up from the first 11 minutes of the first leg after quickfire goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan caught Milan cold.
Ultimately that opening spell in the first leg was decisive in the tie with Milan unable to recover as Inter exacted revenge for the semi-final defeat to the Rossoneri back in 2003.
This result ensured that Inter were the first Italian team to reach the showpiece event of Europe’s premier club competition since Juventus lost to Real Madrid in the 2017 final. Jose Mourinho's Inter side, back in 2010, were the last Serie A side to lift the Champions League.
Inter will go into the final against Real Madrid or Manchester City – who face each other in a finely poised second leg on Wednesday – as underdogs but their fans will have full belief in their heroes following this success, which they will savour before turning their attention to next month’s clash in Istanbul.
The 2023 Champions League final, featuring Inter coming up against either Manchester City or Real Madrid, will take place in Istanbul, Turkey on 10 June at 20:00 BST.
