Manchester City are preparing for their Champions League reunion with Inter Milan at the start of an expanded tournament that the 2023 winners believe will be “so tough.”
Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Inter 1-0 in the final two seasons ago, with Rodri’s decisive goal securing their first Champions League title in a memorable night in Istanbul.
Inter will visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, marking City’s first experience with the competition’s new format. Instead of the traditional group stage with six matches, 36 teams now compete in a single table, each playing eight fixtures.
City defender Manuel Akanji expressed his concerns about the new model, noting the increased strain it places on players during an already intense season, which will end with City’s participation in the Club World Cup in the United States.
“It’s getting more complicated with the league. You play different teams, and then Inter don’t have the same opponents as us. It’s just got bigger, more games,” Akanji said. “Then we have the Club World Cup at the end of the season. It’s just game after game, and I don’t know how it will work out over the next couple of years.”
Reflecting on the packed schedule, Akanji added, “It’s so tough, you don’t just think about this season but also next season. When do we do holidays? There are no breaks in winter. If we are lucky, we get two weeks, and then we need to be back and into next season. There’s no end to it. I don’t know how it works out. Maybe I’ll retire at 30!”
Despite his frustrations, the 29-year-old Akanji is excited for the opportunity to face Inter again, following City’s treble-winning success 15 months ago.
“I’m looking forward to it, even with the new format,” Akanji said.
City’s victory in that final was a cathartic moment after several disappointing Champions League exits during Guardiola’s tenure, including their 2021 loss to Chelsea. The final was a tense affair, with City having to work hard before Rodri finally broke through Inter’s solid defense in the second half at the Ataturk Stadium.
“Good memories,”
“I think the old format was better, but we still go up against the best teams, and we start with a great game against Inter. The last time we played them was in the final, so it’s good memories for us,” said Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
City’s Champions League title defense was cut short last season by eventual winners Real Madrid, who won a quarter-final penalty shoot-out in Manchester. However, the sting of that defeat was softened by the lasting joy of their victory over Inter.
As Pep Guardiola’s side aims for another European title and a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, all eyes will be on how they navigate a season clouded by the ongoing financial breaches case. An independent commission began its hearing on Monday into 115 Premier League charges of alleged financial misconduct against the club.
City strongly deny any wrongdoing, but if found guilty, they could face a severe points deduction or even expulsion from the league. A verdict, however, is not expected until 2025.
Meanwhile, City extended their perfect start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday. The match marked the return of several key players, including influential midfielder Rodri, who played his first 45 minutes of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England.
With England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker also making their first starts of the season, Guardiola is close to having his full squad available for a demanding stretch of fixtures.
“Rodri came on and played really well. He got 45 minutes, and I asked him how he felt, and he said he felt good. He is so important for us,” Guardiola said. “Kyle and John also got their first minutes. It’s really good to have them back.”
