Europe's biggest club game of the year is finally here. The UEFA Champions League 2023 final will kick off on Saturday as heavy favorites Manchester City take the field against Inter in Istanbul. While Lionel Messi's bombshell move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami might have been the center of attention in the leadup, it's time for the game on the pitch to return to centerstage. City are going for their first European crown in what is their second final appearance after losing to Chelsea in the 2021 final while Inter are back in the final for the first time since 2010, looking to win it for a fourth time in what will be their sixth appearance. While City might have been expected to make it this far, few thought Inter had a chance to even get out of their group, and they find themselves in the position of underdog which they won't mind at all.
"For us, it was a dream but we have always believed in it. I'm proud to be here," Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said ahead of the match. "Nobody has given us anything, we deserve everything that we have achieved. And now the dream to play the final has come true. It has been an extraordinary path and winning a derby in the semifinal brought particular satisfaction."
City manager Pep Guardiola knows that no UCL final will ever be easy, and facing an Italian club means going up against a team that will always emphasize defense first, meaning sharpness in attack must be there.
"When you reach the final of the Champions League, you have to celebrate. A final against an Italian team is not always the best gift, honestly. Inter are competitive. After this [semifinal] victory, there will be a lot of compliments, but we have time to prepare mentally," Guardiola said. Don't miss our breakdown of Guardiola's past efforts to capture his third career Champions League title.
And for more from Guardiola, don't miss his sit down interview with CBS Sports' Thierry Henry.
For more from Henry don't miss the UEFA Champions League Pre-Match show, airing on CBS and Paramount+ at 1:30 p.m. ET. And here's the rest of everything you need to know: