Having faced Inter twice this season, midfielder Sergio Busquets warned that Manchester City need to be cautious in the 2023 Champions League final.
"Everyone thinks Man City will win, but beware of Inter," Busquets told the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport .
The former Barca midfielder explained that in a final, anything can happen. "It's even more difficult for Man City when they face a team like Inter," Busquets added. "Inter will play with a clear plan, using five defenders, three midfielders and two forwards. They defend well and even the forwards contribute to the defense."
Busquets (number 5) during Barca's 0-1 defeat to Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Italy on October 4, 2022. Photo: Socrates
Busquets started both matches when Barca faced Inter in the Champions League group stage this season. In Italy, Inter won 1-0, while at Camp Nou, the two teams drew 3-3. In both matches, Inter did not have possession for more than 40% of the time.
Busquets said that Barca struggled in their two matches against Inter. "Inter might not create too many chances, but they play with two strikers while Man City only have two central defenders. Inter can hurt Barca in that aspect," the Spanish midfielder said.
Busquets has just parted ways with Barca after 18 years, and his next destination is yet to be determined. He played his first season for the first team in 2008-2009, which was also Guardiola's first season managing Barca. Before that, Busquets was also a key player for Barca B under Guardiola. The 35-year-old midfielder wants Guardiola to help Man City win the Champions League for the first time.
When asked about his feelings for Guardiola, Busquets said: "Guardiola held my hand and led me across the road separating the Spanish third division from the Champions League. He believed in me and changed my life. When he was managing Barca B, Guardiola was already the best coach in the world , but nobody knew it. Now he's still the best, and he improves every team and every player. This season, Guardiola has moved center-back John Stones up to play in midfield and found new options for the center forward position since failing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barca."
Guardiola is aiming for his third Champions League title as manager when Manchester City face Inter at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 10th. Manchester City have never won the title, while Inter have triumphed three times in 1964, 1965, and 2010.
Hoang An
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