Inter legend Sandro Mazzola is unimpressed with the ‘scientists’ who believe they have no chance against Manchester City in the Champions League Final. ‘They know nothing of football.’
It kicks off at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
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The Nerazzurri are considered the underdogs against Pep Guardiola’s giants by most except for Mazzola, who was in the side that won the European Cup in both 1964 and 1965.
“Who are these scientists who say that? They know nothing of football,” Mazzola told Libero newspaper.
“All joking aside, Real Madrid were an incredible team in 1964 and the absolute favourites, but how did that end? Over a one-off match lasting 90 minutes, the most ambitious and talented team doesn’t always win, sometimes it’s the smartest that takes it.”
Inter beat Real Madrid in 1964 and then retained the trophy in 1965 by again defeating a high-profile squad, the Benfica that included Portuguese legend Eusebio.
According to the latest team news, Edin Dzeko will partner Lautaro Martinez, with Romelu Lukaku on the bench.
“I think Lautaro Martinez can repeat what I did in 1964, scoring two goals and bringing the trophy back to Milan. I would’ve started Lukaku rather than Dzeko, because he’s like a freight train, who can stop him?”
Mazzola also spoke to Calciomercato.it and fully admits Inter surprised themselves in the 1960s.
“Many said we were the underdogs. We had a good team both in the collective and individuals, but were never too convinced that we could do it against the unbeatable Real Madrid of my idol Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. It was our first final and we were not the favourites, but we played the perfect match and I even got to swap shirts with Puskas.
“I am more than happy for them to make Inter the underdogs, because this club causes trouble for everyone when it’s not the favourite.”