Pep Guardiola has his hands on the Champions League trophy, 12 years since he last tasted success in the competition.
It was a final that was low on clear-cut chances. Inter’s 5-3-2 system frustrated Guardiola’s City, who failed to enter their normal rhythm and flow throughout the game. A goalless first half, coupled with an injury to Kevin de Bruyne, ratcheted up the pressure on City.
Having fallen agonisingly short on so many occasions over the years, there was a sense that City would once again stumble when at the finish line. This final brought back memories of two years ago, when Guardiola’s side failed to produce their best performance and slipped to a one-goal final loss to Chelsea.
Rodri’s opener midway through the second half opened the scoring for City, and they held on for a memorable victory to secure the treble. Here are Guardiola’s four key decisions that helped City win the game.
No Pep ‘overthink’
Two years ago, Guardiola surprisingly omitted Rodri from City’s starting line-up. It meant Ilkay Gundogan –accustomed to a more advanced midfield role – was the sole holding midfield against Chelsea, who played with two attacking midfielders.
It is perhaps too simplistic to suggest that the pass for Kai Havertz's winning goal that night went right through the space that Rodri would have occupied, but the Spaniard’s omission raised eyebrows and played into a narrative that Guardiola ‘overthought’ big European matches too frequently.
This was not the case in Istanbul: City played out with their now routine 3-2-4-1 system, with John Stones continuing in his midfield role. Guardiola did not compromise on his own side’s successes to combat the opposition.
De Bruyne disruption
Guardiola was handed a headache with ten minutes of the first half remaining. Kevin de Bruyne, the team’s attacking metronome, went down injured and he was unable to continue. The Belgian playmaker was replaced by Phil Foden.
Foden can be viewed as the most direct replacement for De Bruyne. The England international is versatile, able to play centrally but more frequently used in a wider position for City. Guardiola opted for him ahead of Riyad Mahrez (Bernardo Silva was having an impact from the right flank, and could have been moved centrally) and Julian Alvarez.
Argentine striker Alvarez would have changed City’s shape, giving them a more direct threat, and providing a foil to Haaland. But Foden was chosen to help disrupt Inter’s shape with his movement and finding pockets of space around the box. This was a seen as a move of Guardiola doubling down on his starting selection.
Walker decision
Guardiola’s one notable surprise selection ahead of kick-off was the omission of Kyle Walker. The England right-back has had injury issues this season that have limited his game-time, but that was not the case for this final – it was purely a personnel issue from Guardiola.
"He could be there, it was really tough," Guardiola told BT Sport when quizzed on the decision. "For the way we want to defend and attack we need another type of player. [That is] the only reason why."
Nathan Ake’s return to fitness saw him return to the back three – to which John Stones could drop back into – with Manuel Akanji retaining his place, moving from the left side of defence (which Ake occupied) to the right.
Walker’s main asset is his raw pace which is often using in recovery runs to compensate for City’s high line, but Guardiola decided that this would be less important against Inter – who started with Edin Dzeko, 37, ahead of Romelu Lukaku.
Guardiola’s simple message
For a long time, this match was meandering towards a scoreless draw. The coach could constantly be heard shouting “relax” at his players throughout the encounter.
Ahead of the game, Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference: “When it is 0-0 against an Italian team you feel like you are losing. You are not.”
Patience and a calming influence from the sidelines was as key for City in this game as specific tactical instructions. The team were on the brink of glory and these messages to play the game and not the occasion were essential.
