Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne believes Inter have a ‘clear identity’ but the Premier League champions must ‘play as we know’ and ‘be relaxed’ in the Champions League Final.
The Champions League Final between City and Inter is just around the corner and the Belgian superstar spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport on the eve of the meeting in Istanbul.
“I don’t think we’ll change something. I’ll try to relax and prepare as I do before every game. I’ll try to be ready,” he said.
“We celebrated the Premier League title after the victory against Chelsea but after the FA Cup Final I went straight home; my wife was busy, so I took care of the kids and enjoyed some days off with my family.”
Man City are favourite to lift the trophy, but De Bruyne doesn’t underestimate the Nerazzurri.
“You don’t reach the Champions League Final if you are not a strong team,” he said.
“Inter have won the Coppa Italia and won almost all their games at the end of the season. They have a clear identity and a well-defined system. Nobody thinks it will be easy against Inter and it’s a Final so we have the same chances.
“We must score one more goal and defend better than them. It’s always the same story, to be honest, I think we must play as we know.”
De Bruyne will reunite with his friend and compatriot Romelu Lukaku in Istanbul.
“To be fair, I haven’t spoken to him for a while, since the last time we played for Belgium,” admitted KDB.
“We’ve both been very busy. Romelu is one of the best friends I have in football, we’ve known each other since we were 13-14. This is just a game, but after it, we’ll be friends again and we’ll meet with the national team next week.”
Will Manchester City be considered the best team in history if they win the Champions League?
“I don’t know if we are the best team ever, but winning the Champions League would help,” admitted the midfielder.
“I know that completing the Treble would help the team, but the result of the Final won’t change my path or what this team has done over the years.
“We try to win every game regardless of the opponent, we know it’s an important moment, but the more we are relaxed the more things will be easy.”
Manchester City lost the Champions Final in 2021 against Chelsea, while Inter lifted the trophy three times. The last time was in 2009-10 under José Mourinho when the Nerazzurri completed a legendary treble.
Inter have lost two Finals, one in 1967 against Celtic and the other one in 1972 against Johan Cruijff’s Ajax.