Former Lazio and Torino goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani expects that mentality will be the factor that makes the difference in the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Man City.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInter1908, Marchegiani previewed next month’s final.
Both Inter and Manchester City will face one of their toughest tests of the season in Istanbul on June 10.
This is certainly the case for Inter.
The Nerazzurri have come up against strong teams in Serie A, sure. And in the Champions League, dispatching Barcelona, Porto, Benfica, and AC Milan has been no mean feat.
However, Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens look to be a different animal altogether.
The English champions look to be on another level from virtually all other teams in Europe in terms of their technical quality, physicality, fluency in possession, and organization and intensity out of it.
For City, too, Inter will not be a team to underestimate.
The Cityzens can count knockout matches as virtually their only Achilles’ heel under Guardiola. For Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, by contrast, one-off matches are a real strength.
Marchegiani: Mentality Key In Inter Milan Vs Man City Clash
For Inter, the conundrum will be trying to stop a Man City team who can sometimes appear unstoppable.
This will certainly mean putting in a gritty and organized defensive display. But it will also entail not sacrificing too much of their possession game, being precise and purposeful when they look to attack City.
For the Premier League side, on the other hand, the challenge could simply be maintaining their highest level.
If Inter don’t make it easy for them, the Cityzens could run the risk of losing a bit of their focus.
“The mental side of things will be decisive,” Marchegiani argued.
“A team taking to the pitch with a defensive approach can’t lose focus.”
“Inter look to have found their patience again,” the former goalkeeper argued.
