Man City tipped to have adopted Liverpool ‘mindset’ ahead of Champions League final
Four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf believes Manchester City’s mentality shift can finally allow them to conquer Europe.
Pep Guardiola has failed to deliver the continent’s top prize since arriving, with the club’s Abu Dhabi owners spending huge sums in order to win the competition.
City now have their best chance yet as they head into the final as heavy favourites against Inter Milan.
Last year they spurned their advantage against Real Madrid in the last four, but made amends in the semi-final this term.
City’s lack of know how in the Champions League has told in the past with the likes Monaco, Tottenham and Lyon knocking them out.
Seed of though believes they’ve been the most complete package in Europe this season, which hasn’t always been the case in his opinion.
He referenced the success and mindset of Liverpool, who won the tournament in 2019, and is confident that City have taken the next step which can help them in Istanbul.
The Dutchman, a McDelivery Ambassador, told Mirror Football: “I think this season they’ve been the best team, I don’t think so in other years. Just because you supposed play nice football doesn’t mean you’re the best team.
“The best team is who knows how to defend in a certain way, you bring results home when you’re playing bad – that’s why I was a big fan of Liverpool.
(Jurgen) Klopp had that kind of mentality, it wasn’t always beautiful to watch, but the intensity and team work I did not see that last year with City against Real Madrid. I saw players not believing, I think this season I saw more conviction, determination and that makes a difference.”
City have seen off Bayern Munich and Real in comprehensive fashion and victory in Turkey would complete a historic treble after recent triumphs in the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Guardiola’s men were able to chase down Arsenal in the title race as they regained their crown, recording a third straight league success in the process.
Last weekend they beat neighbours Manchester United in the FA Cup final. The Red Devils remain the only English side to complete the iconic treble and could’ve ended City’s hopes themselves, instead a brace from Ilkay Gundogan helped City to a 2-1 win.
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Guardiola has said in the build-up: “This is the finish. The Champions League is an incredible competition. It’s absolutely a dream, yes. To achieve things you always have to have the correct proportion of obsession and desire. It’s a positive word, willingness to try to do it, of course.
Guardiola has said in the build-up: “This is the finish. The Champions League is an incredible competition. It’s absolutely a dream, yes. To achieve things you always have to have the correct proportion of obsession and desire. It’s a positive word, willingness to try to do it, of course.
It is hard to remember a Champions League final where one team has been such overwhelming favourites. But that only sets up the final even more and adds to the pressure.
Inter are supremely coached by Simone Inzaghi who has built a strong united team, a resolute defence with quality and experience in attack.
They got through a group with Bayern Munich and Barcelona. They overwhelmed Milan in the semi-final. They are exceptionally well organised. But still City are expected to win. And win comfortably.
Guardiola added: “Inter are not just used to defending. There is a theory that Italian teams are just about defending.
“But they never get nervous, the way they build up from the back and bring the ball out. They are very dangerous and have good forwards.
“I don’t control the people’s opinions; I just focus on what we have to do. I saw their games and we try to do our game. everything finishes with a game and the team who performs best over 95 minutes will win.
“Inter is bigger than us, in terms of history but what’s important is 10pm Istanbul time do the best performance possible and that can make the difference.”
But Guardiola knows that ultimately this final is about him and getting City over the line this time. Delivering the Holy Grail. Even if he did his level best to make it clear his success has always been about his players.
When asked what is his secret of success, Guardiola said: “I had Lionel Messi at Barcelona, now we have Erling Haaland. No manager has ever scored a winning goal.
“Every manager’s success in the past and in the future is about the players and having strong foundations.
