Inter Milan defender Matteo Darmian admits he has added motivation to wreck Man City’s treble dream in the Champions League final after four years at bitter rivals United
- Inter Milan defender Matteo Darmian played for Man United for four years
- He claimed this gives him added motivation to wreck Man City’s treble dream
- Darmian also said City are the best team in the world but Inter can beat them
Matteo Darmian’s four years with Manchester United have given him an added incentive to wreck Manchester City’s treble dreams.
The last English club to complete the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble were United in 1999, and City will emulate them if they overcome Darmian’s current club Inter Milan on Saturday.
Darmian was at Old Trafford from 2015-19 and featured in four Manchester derbies, claiming a win, two draws and a defeat.
‘Being a former United player is probably extra motivation,’ he admitted. ‘It will be good to play against them. It will be like a derby for me.
‘We need to be ready and play our own game to beat them. It will not be easy.
Inter Milan defender Matteo Darmian has insisted his four years as a Manchester United player has given him added motivation to wreck Manchester City’s treble dreams on Saturday
Darmian was at Old Trafford from 2015-2019 and won one of his four Manchester derbies
‘They are the best team in the world but we have our qualities and we have to show them. We have the ability to beat them.’
Inter are due to travel to Istanbul on Thursday ahead of their most significant game for 13 years. Under Jose Mourinho in 2010, Inter did the league and cup double before beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final.
They have already collected the Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup this season, with coach Simone Inzaghi winning his last seven cup finals with Lazio and Inter.
Inzaghi has two main selection dilemmas heading into the final. He must decide whether to pair Edin Dzeko or on-loan Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku with Lautaro Martinez in attack, as well as whether to gamble on the fitness of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal midfielder has not played since sustaining an injury in the second leg of the semi-final win over city rivals AC Milan.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi faces two main selection dilemmas ahead of the final in Istanbul
He must pick between Romelu Lukaku (left) or Edin Dzeko (right) to partner Lautaro Martinez in attack and needs to decide whether to gamble on the fitness of Henrikh Mkhitaryan
