Man City’s holy grail and Pep’s tactics – Champions League final talking points

Manchester City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some talking points ahead of the game.

City’s holy grail

Pep Guardiola looks at the Champions League trophy
City are still to get their hands on the Champions League trophy (Adam Davy/PA)

Treble bid

Manchester City celebrate winning the FA Cup
City completed the domestic double last weekend (Nick Potts/PA)

Tactics and form

City will head into this game against the side that finished third in Serie A as overwhelming favourites. After an inconsistent spell either side of the World Cup, they hit form in the spring to reel in Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and power into two major finals. Their level of performance has arguably been better than anything they have produced before under Guardiola, with some particularly outstanding displays in key games against the Gunners, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Guardiola has often been accused of overthinking and getting things wrong tactically in the key matches, but there seems little reason to deviate now from what has worked well this season.

No injury worries

Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has played down concerns about his fitness (John Walton/PA)

Inter’s plan

Simone Inzaghi
Simone Inzaghi will aim to thwart City’s plans (Antonio Calanni/AP)

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