Enigmatic winger Ricardo Quaresma was not impressed with the work of Inter and Manchester City in the recent Champions League final, calling the football ‘unsuitable for a final’.
The Nerazzurri were not expected to reach the final of the competition this season but did well in the knock-out stages, beating Porto, Benfica, and Milan on their route to Istanbul. Manchester City, on the other hand, were one of the favourites from the start and faced less resistance on the road to the final.
Inter put on a good display in Istanbul but poor finishing let them down, allowing Manchester City to secure victory with a 68th minute striker from Rodri, breaking Nerazzurri hearts and bringing their dream to an end.
Speaking to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Quaresma weighed on in the Champions League final, criticising the work of both Inter and Manchester City.
“The organisation of the Champions League final was fantastic. UEFA organised a celebration in a way that was beyond perfection, but the football played on the pitch in the final did not make me happy.
“I maintain that if Senol Guneş (Besiktas coach, ed.) had been in the Champions League final, he would have played a far better system than the football played by Guardiola and İnzaghi.
“I think this football was unsuitable for a final, but the celebration and the ending were fantastic, as were the fans.”
Whilst Inter ultimately lost the final, it showed their ability to compete with the top teams in Europe, giving them confidence of a Scudetto fight in the upcoming season.