ISTANBUL, Turkey – Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has identified a surprise threat in Inter Milan’s ranks ahead of their hotly anticipated Champions League final clash on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana, hailing from Cameroon, was unexpectedly marked as the most perilous player on the Italian team.
Guardiola made the surprising revelation at a pre-match press conference on Friday, despite Onana’s position as a goalkeeper traditionally being considered less threatening in offensive terms.
“For the way they play, with the high press… Onana is an exceptional goalkeeper to take that position to build-up. Really, really good,” Guardiola said, emphasizing the strategic role Onana plays for his team.
Onana, who transferred to Inter Milan from Ajax last summer, has had an impressive season with the Italian club.
Guardiola’s statement appears to underline the importance of the goalkeeper in Inter’s defensive strategy and their ability to counterattack.
Guardiola also didn’t forget to single out Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. “All the processes they do… with Bastoni on the left side especially, is exceptional. The quality to link with the strikers, the ability for an extra pass. We have to try to defend, I don’t know how but defend these connections,” he said.
Guardiola’s assessment seemed to indicate a high level of respect for Inter Milan’s defensive organization, acknowledging the difficulty his team faces in breaking through their well-coordinated lines.
“With the ball, try to attack. Difficult against five at the back, we try to find a solution to be more effective to find a solution,” Guardiola concluded, giving a sneak peek into his team’s tactical game plan.
As the anticipation grows for the Champions League final to be held in Turkey, Manchester City seems to be thoroughly prepared for a challenging match.
The unexpected emphasis on Inter Milan’s goalkeeper and defense suggests that the final may prove to be an intense, tactically intriguing encounter.
