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Rio Ferdinand has predicted Manchester City to come out on top in their Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan on Saturday (June 10) in Istanbul.
The Cityzens are on the brink of making history as they look to win their first Champions League trophy. They're also just one win away from becoming the second side in English football to win the continental treble.
Ferdinand has given his score prediction for the clash between Manchester City and Inter at Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. The Manchester United legend is backing Pep Guardiola's men to prevail, telling BT Sport:
"I’d love it go 0-0 at half-time, just to keep the game alive. If Man City go 1-0 up, its game over. … 2-0 I’m going to say."
The Etihad giants have been Europe's in-form team this season and have already won the Premier League and FA Cup. Erling Haaland has broken records while scoring 52 goals in as many games across competitions. The Norweigan's teammate Kevin De Bruyne has been at his usual best, scoring ten goals and contributing 31 assists in 48 appearances.
However, Manchester City will be wary of the threat the Nerazzurri pose, as they have recently come into form. Simone Inzaghi's side won the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. They also beat their cross-city rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League final.
It promises to be a tantalising affair in Istanbul, but Ferdinand is backing City to get their hands on the European trophy. The closest they have come was in 2021 when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the final.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland backed to be in contention for Ballon d'Or if he wins Champions League
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has said that Haaland must be in contention for the Ballon d'Or if his side wins the Champions League.
The Norweigan only arrived at the Etihad last summer from Borussia Dortmund for £54 million. However, he has given defenders nightmares throughout the campaign and has scored goals for fun.
Haaland won the Premier League Golden Boot with 36 goals in 35 games. The 22-year-old is also the top goalscorer in Europe's elite club competition with 12 goals in ten games.
Aguero has now backed Haaland to be a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or if Manchester City seal European glory, telling Stake.com:
"If that happens (City winning the Champions League(, he will surely be among the candidates and with a chance of winning it. We know that winning the Champions League is very important when choosing the Ballon d'Or."
The list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or is set to be released on September 6. Haaland will likely be rivaled by the likes of Lionel Messi, De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior for the accolade.
