Inter director Beppe Marotta warns Manchester City that ‘in sport the team that spends the most doesn’t always win’ ahead of the Champions League Final.

It kicks off at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

While Manchester City have never been able to win the Champions League before, losing the Final in 2021, the Nerazzurri are aiming to lift the trophy for the fourth time.

“Inter have a storied history with three European Cups and many other trophies, this is the sixth Final of its history, so though it’s not easy to reach the pinnacle of European football, it must be an objective for Inter,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“Clearly, sporting ambition must not be mistaken for arrogance or presumption. You must always be ambitious and set the bar high and that is what took us to this point.”

Along with the supporters in Istanbul, there are also 50,000 fans who will watch the game together on giant screens inside San Siro.

“The fans are an indispensable component for any club, a real treasure that accompanies the players on the field. We are full of pride, because there are many in Istanbul, San Siro is filling up with another 50,000, so it all shows how the Inter fans are sticking by their players.”

Manchester City and Inter were put together in very different ways and have a remarkable difference in economic capabilities, so should the Nerazzurri feel even prouder at getting here with that budget?

“We have a very good rapport with City. We made do with what we had, that was the case for our whole staff that put together a squad with a fine coach who is still growing and becoming stronger.

“If we consider the money spent by Manchester City to put this team together, then on paper they are like a tank. But in sport it is not true that the team that spends the most will always win, so we want to give our best with our own strengths, such as ideas, technique, tactics and a great sense of belonging.”

Manchester City are also trying to achieve the Treble for the first time in their history, while Inter have already managed this remarkable hat-trick of trophies under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

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