With the Premier League and FA Cup already secured, De Bruyne and his City colleagues have the chance to make history at Istanbul’s Olympic Ataturk Stadium by claiming the Champions League for the first time and so securing what would be an iconic Treble.
Given the six-week break for the winter World Cup finals, this has been a season like no other, with City kicking off the campaign back in July against Liverpool in the Community League.
Now, 60 games later, it all comes down to 90 minutes against the Italians in one of the most eagerly awaited games in the Club’s history.
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But speaking at Friday night’s pre-match press conference, despite the demands of a marathon season, De Bruyne stressed that City would be in peak shape for the challenge of seeking to overcome Inter.
“Everybody will have enough energy for tomorrow,” De Bruyne stressed.
“From a physical standpoint, if you are fit you can play the whole year long.
“Mentally is more difficult to physically. If you are in good shape you can play every three or four days.
“Mentally you may need the rest, (but) I don’t see any issue for tomorrow.
“That kind of occasion the motivation and energy will be there for both sides.
“It’s basically over the seasons and you can have a drop off but no questions from my regard.”
De Bruyne is one of the City players who suffered the disappointment of being edged out by Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final, when Chelsea claimed a 1-0 win in Porto.
Reflecting on the differences between then and now, and whether the squad felt better prepared this time De Bruyne instead pointed to the boost of having played last weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester United.
“I don’t feel a lot of difference. Maybe the difference now is we had to play the FA Cup final last week,” the Belgian added.
“What is different to two years ago, is we had a long two weeks (in 2021).
“It could be good to have played that game versus United, but the way I prepare for a game I don’t want to do too much different.
“It’s a hectic week but I try to make it as normal as possible.”
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You can follow all of the action on our official app with our Matchday Centre beginning at 16:00 (UK).
Our Matchday Live programme, live from Istanbul, will begin around 18:20 (UK).
Host Natalie Pike will be joined by Matchday Live veterans Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Steph Houghton to provide City-centric insight in the build-up to the game.
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The guests will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live.
To get in touch, send a Whatsapp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary while our text commentary continues.
A detailed match report will be posted upon the game’s completion before we provide you with post-match reaction from Guardiola and the players.
Short highlights and a full-match replay (for CITY+ and Recast subscribers) from the match will be available from 23:00 (UK) Saturday with extended highlights available from 23:00 (UK) Sunday 11 June.
