Man City vs Inter
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi insists their upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday is not a rematch of last year’s final. While City triumphed 1-0 in the 2023 final, Inzaghi emphasized that the circumstances are entirely different this time around.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Inzaghi highlighted that changes to the Champions League format and the group-stage nature of the game make it a fresh challenge. “Tomorrow starts a new Champions League, one that will be very different,” he said. “I re-watched the final a month ago during training, but this isn’t a rematch—it’s not a final, it’s a group game under the new format.”
Man City vs Inter Match Updates
The new format sees 36 teams competing in a league phase, with each team playing eight matches, a significant shift from the previous group stage. Inzaghi expressed enthusiasm about the changes but acknowledged the toll the increased number of games could take on players. He responded to concerns raised by City midfielder Rodri, who recently suggested players were nearing a breaking point due to the intense schedule.
“We understand the demands, and as coaches, we are aware of the challenges,” Inzaghi said. “While preparing for these games is exciting, we have to manage the workload. We’ve had a limited rotation of players for two years now, so we’re used to adjusting, but it’s not without its difficulties.”
Inter Milan will be without key players Federico Dimarco and Marko Arnautovic for the clash, but Inzaghi remains confident. He hinted at the need for strategic rotation of his squad to keep players fresh throughout the campaign. “I’ll have to alternate as many players as possible,” he noted.
Inzaghi also emphasized the importance of his team’s mindset going into the match, especially considering Manchester City’s formidable home record in the Champions League, where they haven’t lost since 2018. “We need to be aggressive and determined. To make it a great match, we’ll need many things to go right,” Inzaghi stressed.
While the stakes may not be as high as last year’s final, Wednesday’s match promises to be a significant test for Inter Milan as they embark on their new Champions League campaign.
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