Ex-Bayern Munich Chairman and legendary former Bayern and Inter striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes that Man City starting as favourites in the Champions League final can help Inter Milan.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, Rummingge gave his thoughts on the Nerazzurri’s status as underdogs in next month’s final in Istanbul.
There is little doubt that most people consider City favourites in next month’s final.
This is with good reason. The Cityzens demolished Real Madrid in their semifinal second leg as a major statement of intent.
Moreover, Pep Guardiola have seen off an at-times imperious Arsenal and are on the cusp of yet another Premier League title. City’s dominance in the English top flight has been close to flawless in recent seasons.
However, this is not the first time that one team has been marked out as an underdog in a European final.
Moreover, there have been no shortage of underdog stories in big knockout competitions with happy endings.
Rummenigge: Man City Favourites But Inter Can Go For It
“Manchester City undoubtedly start as favourites,” Rummenigge argued. “But this can be an advantage for Inter, who absolutely cannot feel like they’re already beaten.”
“Inter can be lethal, and they can do it in a single match,” he continued. “I’m not even talking about a miracle, they can just win. They’re capable of doing it.”
Asking how Inter fans in Munich reacted to the Nerazzurri reaching the final, Rummenigge responded “Good, very good.”
“And it was particularly special to me, because Inter… are Inter, my team just like Bayern are.”
“I also sent a message to my friend Beppe Marotta,” he noted.
“In my opinion, this season he’s been a genius,” Rummenigge said of the Inter CEO. “He had to build a team who’re now Champions League finalists on a shoestring.”
“It’s not like he spent a lot of money, or even had it at his disposal,” he said of Marotta.
“Even when they were in the group stage, no one thought Inter would go through,” Rummenigge observed.
“I said they would go through along with Bayern, but I said it out of love,” he admitted.
“Everyone was betting on Bayern and Barcelona. But Inzaghi kept going.”
“The team can’t be underestimated,” Rummenigge said of Inter. “They’re stable across all positions.”
“The defense is concrete, in midfield they have great workrate. They’re all willing to sacrifice.”
“In attack, Lautaro is a world champions centre-forward, Dzeko is always fresh, and Lukaku is improving from match to match,” the former Bayern chairman continued.
“Inter are a team that can hurt City,” he made clear.
“After the first match of the group, I thought it would be very difficult for Inter to through,” Rummenigge said of the Nerazzurri’s 0-2 loss at the San Siro to his Bayern team.
“But the turning point came in the match in Barcelona.”
“They freed themselves, and they played very well.”
“From then on, they’ve done well, it’s been a great season that’s taken them all the way to Istanbul,” Rummenigge said.
“In the league they could have done better, of course,” he continued. “But at least right now it seems like they’ll be able to qualify for next season’s Champions League.”
“If they succeed, they’ll be even more relaxed in the final,” Rummenigge noted.
