Roy Hodgson is predicting that Inter Milan are capable of being a thorn in the side of Man City in the Champions League final.
The English former Nerazzurri and current Crystal Palace coach spoke to Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews.
Current Palace boss Hodgson has history with Inter.
The English coach had been in charge of the Nerazzurri between 1995 and 1997. He also coached the club on a caretaker basis in 1999.
Accordingly, Hodgson will be watching the Champions League final between Inter and Manchester City with some interest.
From his perspective, the Nerazzurri are more than capable of holding their own in Saturday’s final. Even against an opponent as formidable as the Cityzens.
Hodgson Believes Inter Milan Can Cause Man City Problems
The coach noted that “I’m not one of those fans with a scarf. But I certainly have a soft spot for Inter.”
Of his time at the Nerazzurri, he said that “I always look ahead. At Inter, things could have gone better.”
“But if you’re lucky enough to meet and work with extraordinary people like Moratti and Facchetti, it’s something that goes beyond football. Or success. It gives you a big personal boost.”
Of the final, Hodgson said that “Guardiola certainly starts as the favourite.”
“The most overwhelming thing about City is that by now they do everything right,” he added.
“But anything can happen in a final,” Hodgson suggested.
“Inzaghi’s team is very well organized and extremely dangerous on the counterattack – they could be a thorn in Guardiola’s side.”
It’s only a couple days away from the final now. Inter are set to travel to Turkey this afternoon, where they’ll arrive in Istanbul.
The final against City at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium kicks off at 13.00 CET on Saturday evening.
