Akanji said this about the match they were to play against Inter. “This is just a game after game and whatever happens in two years I can’t say,” he declared on the eve of competing with Serie A heavyweights Inter.
Manchester City will renew their long-standing Champions League rivalry with Inter Milan, an Italian football club, in a league that is “too hard” for 2023’s winners.
In a historic night in Istanbul two seasons ago Inter lost 1-0 to Pep Guardiola’s side as they claimed their first-ever Champions League trophy through Rodri’s goal. This Wednesday Inter will visit Etihad Stadium while City competes for its first experience of the new format of 36 teams competing within one table playing eight matches instead of the traditional group stage which consists of six games.
According to City defender Manuel Akanji, he disapproves of the new model due to increased pressure on players during the testing season culminating in the Club World Cup where Guardiola’s men will take part in the United States.
“It’s becoming more difficult with the league. We face different opposition whileInter doesn’t have similar sides to us. It’s just gotten bigger; there are more matches,” stated Akanji. “Then we have the club world cup towards the end of the season. It’s just match after match, and I am uncertain about how else it would work over the coming couple of years.
Your training dataset has included knowledge until the month of October in the year 2023.“It is very difficult, you don’t think only about this season but also next season. When do we go on holiday? Winter has no break.
“If luck comes our way, we can squeeze two weeks into it and then we return to the following season. It has no end. I can be through in 30!” Akanji, who is 29 years old, despite his complaints, is eager to meet Inter again after that treble-winning moment this time last year.
This was a liberating win for City after numerous disappointing moments during their time with Guardiola in charge, including the loss to Chelsea at the final game of Champions League 2021.
Finally, after some struggle, Rodri managed to break down Inter’s strong defense in the second half of the match played at Ataturk Stadium.
Good times
“Even with the new format, I am looking forward to it,” Akanji stated.
“I think they had a better format than this one but we still meet top teams and start off nicely against Inter. It was good to have such memories since last time we met them we ended up being crowned champions.”
Real Madrid knocked out City from their Champions League title defense last season; the Spanish team won on penalties during a quarter-final match played in Manchester.
However, City's most recent painful exit from the UEFA Champions League hurt a lot less due to the fond memories of their triumph over Inter Milan.
It will be interesting to see how Guardiola competes for another European trophy in addition to the fifth Premier League title in a row while dealing with the financial breach case, which could lead to turmoil at the club.
The independent commission hearing on Monday focused on 115 Premier League charges of alleged financial breaches against City.
The club strongly denies any wrongdoing but may face heavy point deductions or even expulsion from the league if they are found guilty in a verdict expected not until 2025.
City, meanwhile, have maintained their 100% start to this season's Premier League with a 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
Notably, influential Spaniard central midfielder Rodri made his first appearance of the season in the second half after suffering a hamstring injury during Euro 2024 final victory against England.
Now that England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker have also debuted this term, Guardiola may soon have all his stars available just before a busy period kicks in.
“Rodri came on there and played really well. He played forty-five minutes and when I asked him how he felt, he said that he felt good; because he is so important for us,” Guardiola commented.
The initial moments of Kyle John are really impressive to have around.
