Inter coach: 'The ball didn't want to go into Man City's net'

Turkey coach Simone Inzaghi regrets the missed opportunities, but believes Inter will soon return to the Champions League final.

"We had a great game and we should be proud," Inzaghi told Sport Mediaset after the final in Turkey. "We shouldn't think about what could have happened, even though we deserved more. I hugged every player because they were extraordinary, as were the fans, and Inter deserved a different result. But I hope they are happy to see how the team played tonight."

Coach Inzaghi (leading) and Inter players express their disappointment after receiving the silver medal following their 0-1 Champions League final defeat to Manchester City at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul on June 10. Photo: Reuters

In the final match at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul on June 10th, Inter played on equal terms and even had more shots and created more chances than Man City. The Italian team held possession for 44%, had 14 shots with six on target - compared to 7 and 4 for their opponents.

In the 59th minute, with the score still 0-0, following a back pass from Bernardo Silva, goalkeeper Ederson and Manuel Akanji exchanged passes, allowing Lautaro Martinez to break into the penalty area and face the goalkeeper one-on-one. Instead of passing the ball to a teammate for an open goal, the Argentinian striker shot straight from a tight angle and was denied by Ederson. On the sidelines, manager Pep Guardiola knelt on the pitch as his team nearly conceded a goal.

Di Marca had two consecutive shots; the first hit the crossbar, the second deflected off Lukaku. Photo: Reuters

After Rodri scored, Inter continued to create a series of good scoring opportunities. In the 71st minute, from a scramble in the penalty area, Federico Dimarco headed the ball against the crossbar. The Italian defender then headed the rebound from close range, but his teammate Lukaku blocked the shot.

Two minutes later, Lukaku missed a chance with a right-footed shot that went straight to Ederson. The best chance came in the 88th minute, when the Belgian striker headed the ball from close range after a cross from Robin Gosens, but the Manchester City goalkeeper saved it with his thigh.

Lukaku (number 90) headed the ball but goalkeeper Ederson blocked it with his thigh in the 88th minute. Photo: AFP

"In the last 25 minutes, it felt like the ball didn't want to go into the Man City net," Inzaghi lamented. "That happened, unfortunately it happened in the Champions League final. Inter hit the crossbar, were blocked on the line, a shot hit a teammate, it just happened. We fought against Man City with our own strength and did it very, very well."

According to Football Italy , Inzaghi devised a masterful tactical plan to neutralize Manchester City's attack, with the duo of Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni effectively containing their most dangerous threat, Erling Haaland.

"With this spirit, this setup, and this determination, I think Inter will soon be back in the Champions League final," the 47-year-old coach emphasized, while defending Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez against criticism for their lackluster performances.

Key events of the Man City 1-0 Inter match.

Inzaghi suffered his second defeat in a title match during his coaching career, ending a streak of seven consecutive wins in finals. He admitted to experiencing a strange feeling, needing time to come to terms with the defeat, but expressed pride that Inter could compete on equal terms with Man City. The Italian coach, whose contract runs until summer 2024, said he would take a few days off before meeting with the club's management to negotiate a contract extension and plan transfers.

Hong Duy

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