Istanbul is ready for the grand finale of the premier class. Hours before kick-off, fans of both camps get in the mood. A very special game awaits two players.
Manchester City and Inter Milan fans are looking forward to the Champions League final in Istanbul. In the Istiklal pedestrian zone, on Taksim Square and in the wider city area, the supporters of the English double winner and the Italian cup champion have been getting in the mood for the game on Saturday evening (9:00 p.m. live on ZDF) in the Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
18 years after the "Miracle of Istanbul", in which Liverpool FC defeated AC Milan after a 3-0 deficit, the Turkish metropolis is hosting the most important European club match again for the first time. Actually, Istanbul was supposed to be the venue in 2020 and then in 2021, but this did not happen due to the Corona crisis.
Manchester City waves the triple
Manchester City around team manager Pep Guardiola is the favorite in the game and could make the treble perfect with his first triumph in the premier class. Captain Ilkay Gündogan and Co. have already secured the championship and the FA Cup.
Inter want to crown themselves as the best club in Europe for the fourth time. In 1964 and 1965 the Nerazzurri won the European Cup, in 2010 the Champions League in the final against the German record champions.
Home advantage for Calhanoglu and Gundogan
A very special game is the final due to the venue for city's Ilkay Gündogan and his Inter midfield colleague Hakan Calhanoglu. Born in Mannheim, Calhanoglu also relies on special support from the audience.
"I'm very happy and proud to be able to play this final in my home country," said Calhanoglu. "I'm sure the people here have my back and that they're praying for me."
Calhanoglu is hugely popular in Türkiye
Calhanoglu, who grew up as a footballer in Germany and once played for Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, is enormously popular as the captain of the Turkish national team.