Man City coach Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Inter Milan and Simone Inzaghi’s tactical approach after last season’s Champions League final.

Writing in a preface to Arrigo Sacchi’s memoir “The Visionary Realist” vis FCInterNews, the City coach gave his recollection of coming up against the Nerazzurri.

Last season’s Champions League final pitted Guardiola’s Manchester City against Inter.

Virtually all commentators regarded the English team has heavy favourites.

This is hardly a surprise considering that the Cityzens had romped to another Premier League title win and also won the FA Cup.

Inter, meanwhile, had endured a difficult season full of ups and downs.

Like City, the Nerazzurri enjoyed success in domestic cup competitions.

But in the league, Inter suffered a total of twelve defeats. This meant that even after a strong finish to the campaign, the Nerazzurri finished a disappointing third in the table.

But the sense was that Inter saved their best for Europe.

The Nerazzurri knocked out the likes of Barcelona, Porto, and Benfica along their Champions League journey. They also got a statement win over AC Milan in a two-legged semifinal derby.

Man City Coach Pep Guardiola Praises Inter & Simone Inzaghi

But in the final, many guessed that City would be a bridge too far for Inter.

And that proved to be the case, at least in terms of the result. It was City who lifted the trophy in the end.

But the Nerazzurri’s performance was not what many expected.

Inter went toe-to-toe with City for the entire ninety minutes. And there were even chances to force extra time, which the Nerazzurri passed up due to some poor finishing and good saves by City keeper Ederson.

Guardiola remarks in his preface to Sacchi’s book that “My Manchester City lifted the last Champions League, and everyone obviously praises us.”

“But we could also have lost,” he goes on.

“The final, as I said in the post-match and even more recently, was a coin toss.”

“I believe that it’s important to get there, to fight to always be competitive. And then it depends on which way the coin falls,”

“In the 1994 USA final for Sacchi’s Italy, it fell on the wrong side. As it had done for us a few years ago against Chelsea.”

“Then last time around we were back,” he notes. ‘And this time it went the way we wanted, even if it was tough, against an Inter who were very tough to come up against.”

He characterizes this Inter, “They play modern football, are physically very strong, and very well-coached by Simone Inzaghi”.