Manchester City, the 2021 runners-up, will face three-time winners Internazionale Milan for the first time, while City, the English Premier League champions, are aiming for a treble this season.
Manchester City will face an old friend in this year’s Champions League final in their quest for a treble in the 2022–2023 season when they take on Internazionale Milan.
Edin Dzeko spent five successful years at Manchester City, but at the Atatürk Stadium, the Bosnian striker is determined to deny his former club the opportunity to win the Champions League for the first time.
Edin Dzeko spoke exclusively to BT Sport ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday, urging his Internazionale Milan teammates to give “more than 100%” if they are to defeat Manchester City.
The striker, who played a key role in two Premier League title wins at the Etihad from 2011 to 2016, has stated his determination to make the most of his chance to lift the trophy.
The veteran striker Dzeko is aware that the Serie A side will be considered underdogs by many against his former club, but he emphasised that Inter themselves are looking to finish their season on a high note.
“Arriving in the Champions League final, I’m already 37, and it’s my first and, you never know, probably my last, so I definitely want to enjoy it. We had a great season in the Champions League, less good in Serie A, but we won the Super Coppa and Coppa Italia, so we are happy,” Dzeko revealed.
The striker, who joined Manchester City for £27 million in 2011 under manager Roberto Mancini, said his team will be up against the world’s best team, but they will defy all odds to win.
“It’s a big game for the club and the players because it’s incredible to be in the final,” Dzeko explained. “We know we are going to play against probably the best team in the world. We know that City are the favourites, and the whole team has to do more than 100% because City are not an easy team to beat, but we are tough as well.”
