With experience facing Inter in two matches this season, midfielder Sergio Busquets warned Man City to be cautious in the 2023 Champions League final.
"Everyone thinks Man City will win, but be careful with Inter," Busquets told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport .
The former Barca midfielder explained that in a final, anything can happen. "It's even more difficult for Man City against a team like Inter," added Busquets. "Inter will play with a clear plan, with five defenders, three midfielders and two strikers. They defend well and even the strikers help in defence."
Busquets (No. 5) in the match Barca lost 0-1 to Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Italy on October 4, 2022. Photo: Soccrates
Busquets started both games when Barca faced Inter in the Champions League group stage this season. Inter won 1-0 in Italy, while the two sides drew 3-3 at the Camp Nou. In both games, Inter did not have possession for more than 40% of the time.
Busquets said Barca struggled in their two games against Inter. "Inter may not create too many chances, but they play with two strikers and Man City have only two centre-backs. Inter can hurt Barca in that aspect," said the Spaniard.
Busquets has just left Barca after 18 years, and has not yet decided on his next destination. He played his first season for the first team in 2008-2009, which was also Guardiola's first season in charge of Barca. Before that, Busquets was also a mainstay of Barca B under Guardiola. The 35-year-old midfielder wants Guardiola to help Man City win the Champions League for the first time.
Asked about his feelings for Guardiola, Busquets said: "Guardiola took me by the hand and led me across the road between the Spanish third division and the Champions League. He believed in me and changed my life. When he was in charge of Barca B, Guardiola was the best coach in the world but no one knew it. Now he is still the best, and improves every team and player. This season Guardiola has promoted centre-back John Stones to play in midfield, and has found new options for strikers since failing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barca."
Guardiola is aiming for his third Champions League title as a coach when Man City meets Inter at Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on the evening of June 10. Man City have never won the title, while Inter have won it three times in 1964, 1965 and 2010.
Hoang An
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