UCL Final 2022-23: Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Combined XI

Pep and his men head into the final of the Champions League as the favourites to win and secure the treble

The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of club football in Europe, where the best teams across the continent battle it out for supremacy. On Saturday night the Champions League anthem will be played for the last time this season in Istanbul. The Champions League final has produced countless memorable moments in the history of the tournament.

Manchester City, Premier League, and FA Cup winner are looking to win the treble this season. After Arsenal slipped their chances to win the Premier League, Manchester City won the league comfortably with 3 games still left and they will continue to perform in the Champions League final as well, after defeating last year's winner Real Madrid, Manchester City would like to create history and win their first Champions League title.

Inter Milan finished their Serie A campaign fourth in the points table, they have already secured a place in the next season's Champions League. However, they will try to win their first Champions League title after Mourinho's and Milito's brilliance in 2010, they beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Final, and became the first time from Italy or Germany to ever win the treble.

This Saturday, the fans can anticipate a combination of counter-attacking football and ball possession. If we had to make a combined team out of these two teams, the combined XI would look something like this.

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)

The goalkeeper from Brazil has been consistent in Manchester City's success for the past couple of years. They have won three consecutive titles with Ederson in the goal, even though he did not win the Golden Glove this season, he is still one of the best goalkeeper in the world. He has played 10 matches in the Champions League this season, out of which he has been able to keep 6 clean sheets.

Left-back: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)

In Champions League games where pace and intensity are several notches higher than Serie A games, Dimarco’s pace is crucial, considering Inter aren’t the quickest of teams, with many of their players only technically exquisite. Dimarco’s presence down the left has become an important outlet for Inter, overlapping the left-sided midfielder, usually Marcelo Brozovic, to great effect.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Ruben Dias has been a rock at the back for Pep Guardiola throughout this season. The Portuguese number 3 played all 38 matches in the Premier League this season, eventually winning it along with FA Cup last week. He will continue to perform like he has this season, helping them win the Champions League this season.

Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)

The tall Italian defender will try to stop Erling Haaland, the similar style and presence like Antonio Rudiger, he will look to hold the "Goal Scoring Machine" like the Madrid defender was able to stop him from scoring in the first leg of the semi-final. It is going to be tough for him not only to stop Haaland but stop the attacking power of Manchester City.

Right-back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

The preferred choice at the right-back position is the England full back, his pace and ability to recover the ball is his strength and he completely relies on it. He had a difficult season because of less playing time, however, he is going to play a pivotal role in this year's Champions League final against the Inter Milan attack.

Centre-midfield: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)

The Italian midfielder has played 11 Champions League matches this season, and has scored 3 goals in this year's campaign. He is one of the key players in Inter's squad, and he is the key to Inter's slim chances of winning the title. Premier League's top 4 clubs are looking to sign the Italian after his impressive season.

Centre-midfield: Ikay Gundogan (Manchester City)

Ikay Gundogan, the club captain and one of Pep's main men this season has contributed in all the matches so far this season including his match-winning performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup final where he score two absolute bangers from outside the box. The Champions League final will prove to be an important match for Ikay Gundogan, if he ends up winning, he will complete his Manchester City career as his contract expires this summer.

Centre-midfield: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Inter Milan)

The former AS Roma and Manchester United player who played under Jose Mourinho in the Serie A and the Premier League. Since he arrived at Inter, he has been vital in the midfield, he alongside Eden Dzeko were the oldest player ever to score in the Champions League when they played against their Italian rivals, AC Milan, in the semifinal.

Centre attacking-midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

No player in the world has the qualities that the Belgian possesses, he has provided 7 assists so far this Champions League season. He has the scoring, passing abilities to impact the game in any way possible. His passing ability is something that nobody can match in the world right now, he has helped Erling Haaland settle in the City squad so well. They both will look to win it for City at the biggest stage.

Striker: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

Martinez has captained the side most of the matches this season, and his scoring ability with both feet has made a place for him in this squad. He was exceptional against AC Milan in the semi-final tie, and scored the only goal in the second leg which secured them a place in the Champions League final.

Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

The Norwegian has been the centre of attraction this season. His performances have been breathtaking this season, he has scored more than 50 goals in a season playing for the first time under Pep. Pep has transformed him into a complete ball-holding, number 9 striker that has been missing in his squad for years now. Manchester City will depend on him majorly along with the stars that have been vital in Manchester City's successful season.