The UEFA champions league is always full of close games, heartbreaks and triumphs. This year was no different.
Entering the season, the favorites Real Madrid and Manchester City were poised for a long run in the competition. However, Inter Milan got to the final before being defeated by Manchester City 1-0 on June 10.
In the 2022 semi-finals, Manchester City had the game in their hands, up two goals with six minutes left, but Real Madrid came from behind to tie the game. Then a penalty kick goal by Kareem Benzema in extra time gave Real the shock of a lifetime.
Manchester City has always been a club that has spent the most money and wins the Premier League, but they were still looking for a Champions League title. The Manchester City board signed one of the best strikers in the world, Erling Haaland, adding to their firepower coming into the 2022-2023 season.
After dominating the group stage, Manchester City easily got through to the knockout stages, where they landed Red Bull Leipzig in the first game. Leipzig held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw, then headed back to Manchester City needing a win to go through.
Manchester City came in angry and thrashed RB Leipzig 7-0, beating them on aggregate 8-1, sending them to the semi-finals. Haaland scored five goals in that game. City had to face German champions Bayern Munich, one of the favorites, to win the cup.
Manchester City had other plans after a 3-0 victory in the first leg. They countered with a 1-1 draw, beating Bayern 4-1 on aggregate to put them in the semi-finals versus Real Madrid. The storylines, the tension and the revenge talks were all in play.
Manchester City wanted to move on, and they came into leg one with a fresh goal to win. After an opening goal by Real Madrid Forward Vinicius Jr., Manchester City trailed 1-0. However, in the 67th minute, Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne equalized the game at 1-1.
In the second leg, City blew Madrid out of the water, beating the 13-time champions league winners 4-0 and placing themselves in the final against Inter Milan. Manchester City was supposed to get to the final, Inter Milian was not.
After getting by the group stage, Inter faced FC Porto. Milian defeated them 1-0 over two games. After Porto Milan, Inter faced Benfica, defeating them 5-3 to move on to the semi-finals.
In the semi, Inter faced a familiar opponent in AC Milan; the two clubs share a stadium and tons of history. However, AC was no match for Inter as they were bested 3-0 over two games. After beating their rival, Inter set up a date with Manchester City. June 10 was a day of history for one club and heartbreak for another.
Inter came in as an underdog looking to stop Manchester City from putting their name in the record books. The game was dominated by Inter in the first half; however, they were not able to find the back of the net. Manchester City did not play their best game, but when it counted, they came through. Manchester City Midfielder Rodri volleyed the ball and put it past Goalkeeper Andre Onana to give City the lead in the 68th minute.
Inter did not quit, and were centimeters away from tying the game, but it was not meant to be. Manchester City defeated them 1-0 to get their elusive Champions League trophy. Manchester City Coach Pep Guardiola was pleased that they could finally do it. He told reporters, “It looks like this competition this year, this final was written in the stars. ”
The goal scorer, Rodri, said, “I’m emotional. It’s a dream come true.” Erling Haaland, summed up how it felt in a few words: “Unbelievable, just unbelievable.”
Manchester City, after all the heartbreaks and close calls, finally did it. The Champions League was tough competition, but in the end, the best team won some history and respect.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JaydenBarfuss10