By Abasi Ita
An electrifying atmosphere with a proclivity to keep soccer fans at the edge of their seats with bated breath is expected to enliven the over 75 000 capacity Ataturk
Olympic Stadium in the Turkish capital of Istanbul today Saturday as the curtain descends on European clubs soccer 2022/2023 calendar
The thrilling scenario is set to be unveiled when rampaging EPL giants, Manchester City tackles Italian Inter Milan in pursuit of their recurring quest for a maiden Continental silverware which has remained perennially missing on the trophy cabinet at the noisy side of Manchester despite the arrival of a flamboyant tactician, Pep Guardiola since 2016/2017 season
Parading unarguably, the most devastating attack in Europe led by Norwegian Erling Haaland who boasts of over 50 goals across all competitions in a season courtesy of his insatiable quest to rattle the net, the 68th Europe Premier Club tournament now in its 31st season since it was renamed Champion Clubs to UEFA Champions Club
possess all the trappings of an epic scintillating climax of the European soccer season
Propelled by excess oil dollars pumped in Arabian owner Sheikh Mansour since 2008, Man City has garnered every domestic laurel at home except the UEFA Champions League diadem which has continued to elude Guardiola ever since he arrived at the Etihad
The closest distance to perceiving a continental aroma came in 2021 when the Citizens crumbled to Chelsea by a lone goal scored by Kai Harvert handing the then-Thomas Tuchel-tutored lads their second UEFA Champions League trophy at Portugal’s-Estadio do Dragao, eight years from the famous 2012 fairy-tale triumph over Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena
Having been lurking around like a predator stalking prey while waiting for the right moment to go for the jugular, Manchester City appears certain for the spoils this time around judging from their incredible 31 goals netted from an attacking side with a proven capacity to inflict collateral damage on opponents as vividly demonstrated in the crushing dismembering of 14th-time winners, Real Madrid at the Etihad during the return leg of the semi-final encounter
However, the beacons from the Italian Seria A, which has produced finalists in all this year’s European clubs competitions with Juventus fizzling out at Savilla to avert all Italian Europa finals in Budapest in a couple of days showcase Internazionale Milano as a formidable squad with a penchant for a joker
Though the three-time Champions, Inter Milan are seen as underdogs in the epic cracker, the defensive profile displayed by the 1964, 65, and 2010 Champions parading an agile goaltender in the person of Cameroon Andre Onana with sharp reflexes enabling him to set a record of 8 clean sheets in UCL, the smoking City’s mark men are set for a faceoff against a bulwark defense synonymous with Italian soccer
But having conceded 10 goals on the way to the final unlike City’s 5, Simone Inzaghi’s lad surely has a herculean task curtailing deadly incursions from City’s firing squad reputed for their deft touches, thrilling dribbles, and clinical finishing prowess which have dovetailed to wreak havoc on opposing defenses this season
View from every perspective, this clash looks certain to emit the thrills and frills of a UEFA Champions League final associated with an epic clash of this magnitude