Joe Cole has spotted how Inter Milan could give Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in particular a headache during the Champions League final.
The renowned pundit was breaking down the upcoming clash on Saturday in Istanbul on BT Sport’s Michael Calvin’s Football People podcast.
While Joe Cole has predicted Manchester City to beat Inter Milan, he also analysed where Pep Guardiola has a major problem to solve.
Joe Cole spots how Inter Milan could hurt Manchester City and Pep Guardiola
The general consensus remains that as dangerous as Simone Inzaghi’s side could, the Premier League champions are streets ahead of them.
For many, the English giants are simply the best team in the world, as has been evident in their handsome wins against the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Arsenal this season.
While Joe Cole agrees with Manchester City being favourites to defeat Inter Milan, he has assessed how the underdogs could worry Pep Guardiola.
“They play with two centre-forwards, which is interesting, which will be a problem for Man City. Whether it be [Lautaro] Martinez or [Edin] Dzeko. I think it’s going to be two of them on the pitch at all times, which I think bodes Pep a tactical problem.”
Joe Cole claimed that the Spaniard having to ensure Manchester City curb Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries would be another concern on his mind.
“He’ll want to keep his three [defenders at the back] nice and narrow. So then, you got [Denzel] Dumfries on the right, he’s pace and power. [Nathan] Ake or [Manuel] Akanji, whoever plays, you never know what Pep will do, whoever plays on that outside left position is going to have to get out there with Dumfries. [He] gets forward, could you lean on Jack Grealish chasing him back?”
At the end of the day, Guardiola himself is a master tactician and Inter will have a lot on their plate to tame his winning machine as well, which makes this a potential blockbuster of a tie.
