There have been those who dreamed of having a race between the epic F1 (Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema) and the humble Go kart (Milan’s Olivier Giroud) at the Champions League final on June 11. However, those two cars were forever … in the garage after being eliminated by Man City and Inter in the semi-finals, respectively.
Real and Milan are two teams that own a lot of French players in the squad in this season’s Champions League semi-finals. On the side of the Royal Spanish Club, there are Benzema, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. And in the squad of the red and black striped shirt team of Milano are Theo Hernandez, Giroud, Mike Maignan and even Pierre Kalulu. But none of them have the honor of participating in this season’s Champions League final.
That fact makes for the first time in 13 years, there are no French players on the list to compete in a Champions League final. The last time before that was 2010. At that time, Inter and Bayern both did not have French players registered to play the last match. And the victory belongs to Inter.
At that time, Inter participated in the Champions League / Champions League final for the 6th time in its history. And, Jose Mourinho’s team at that time defeated the Bavarian Gray Lobster 2-0 in the final at the Bernabeu of Real Madrid with a brace of an Argentine player – Diego Milito.
It should also be noted that Bayern should also have a French player who could play in the final. However, Franck Ribery was suspended after being sent off in the semi-final first leg against Lyon.
Is that an optimistic signal for Inter in the final against Man City? Not necessarily. Remember, in the last 12 finals, there are 11 champions with French players in the squad. The only exception is Liverpool in the 2018/19 season.
The Kop won 2-0 against compatriot Tottenham. And in the starting line-up for the final in Madrid four years ago, Spurs had two French players, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and midfielder Moussa Sissoko.
However, with outstanding strength and bravery of a future champion, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool scored the opening goal in the second minute thanks to Mohamed Salah’s work and “finished” the Rooster with a goal. victory by substitute Divock Origi in the 87th minute.
Man City and Inter both do not have French players, true but not absolutely accurate. In Pep Guardiola’s squad there are two French players, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez. Both were born in France, have dual citizenship, but did not choose the French team to dedicate. If midfielder Laporte chose Spain, midfielder Mahrez decided to protect the colors of the Algerian national team’s flag.
And, we must not forget that there is another good French player in the Man City squad. I’m Benjamin Mendy. The 28-year-old defender played just one game for The Citizens last season. And this season, he did not play a minute because of the crime of rape. On January 13, 2023, Mendy was declared innocent, has not yet terminated his contract with Man City but did not return to play. There is a “French element”, history will favor Man City?
Thus, the upcoming final in Istanbul (Turkey) will be the first time in 13 years that there is no blue shirt player in the squad of both Inter and Man City.
And, Inter like 2010 won the championship for the 4th time in history without a French player, or Man City with “more French elements” will win the prestigious big ear cup for the first time to open the era. Dominating yourself at the No. 1 playground of the old continent at club level?
We will know that after the most awaited epic match of the season in Istanbul on the morning of June 11 here.
Launch of special publication ’30 years of Champions League’
