Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to collect a corner, which allowed Juan Jesus to head towards goal. His effort struck the crossbar, but fellow centre-back Leo Ostigard was able to knock the ball into the empty net.
It is not a moment that Kepa will look back on with much pleasure. However, Real Madrid have plenty of him to turn things around in Naples, and they certainly will not be panicking despite the early setback.
Arsenal’s Champions League preparations were thrown into chaos when they were left stranded at Luton Airport Monday night.
Mikel Arteta and his 23-man squad were stuck in the departure lounge for more than four hours due to their private plane being grounded by the storms which battered the south of England.
They were due to arrive in Lille at 5pm UK time ahead of a 40 minute drive to Lens but Arteta’s scheduled press conference was cancelled because he was running so late.
But the club will not face any punishment from UEFA because the delay was not their fault.
Defender William Saliba: “I don’t know what’s happening. Maybe because it’s raining in England or France so we cannot fly and we are still in London.
“First of all we have to get to Lens but I’m confident the delay won’t affect us and we will give our best in the game.
“We know it won’t be an easy game. Lens are a really good team who finished second in the French League last season.
“They didn’t start this season well but they have improved in their last few games so we have to be fully focussed.”
Rodri’s second half winner saw Manchester City crowned European champions for the first time with Pep Guardiola’s side overcoming Inter Milan 1-0 to win the Champions League.
The result saw City match rivals Manchester United in completing the Treble having already clinched the Premier League and FA Cup.
Inter had produced a resilient display against the pre-match favourites, with the Serie A side denied an equaliser two superb saves from Ederson.
The final whistle at the Olympic Stadium provoked emotional scenes from the City players in Istanbul after achieving the historic feat.
EDERSON
Looked uncharacteristically nervy initially, gifting an opportunity to Inter with a slack pass in the first half, then having to rush off his line to deny Lautaro Martinez after a communication breakdown with Manuel Akanji, but none of that mattered after two outstanding saves in the closing stages. 8
Little to do in open play but appeared unsettled by Inter’s press which forced him to kick long. Almost caught out by Barella when straying from goal but made amends with save from Martinez and Lukaku. Booked.
MANUEL AKANJI – 6.5
Given the nod over Walker with Ake returning at left-back. The £15million defender hasn’t let anyone down this season and was again solid though his shooting needs improvement.
RUBEN DIAS – 8
An absolute rock in the heart of Pep Guardiola’s defence. Dominant in the air and closed down Martinez brilliantly to snuff out a potentially dangerous Inter breakaway.
NATHAN AKE – 6
Brought back for only his second start in a month following a hamstring injury and understandably looked a bit rusty. Stood up well to physical opponents and made a good block from Brozovic shot.
JOHN STONES – 6.5
Played his new hybrid role of stepping into midfield from right-back but had more defensive work to do than expected to cope with Dimarco’s raids down the Inter left. Comfortable in possession.
RODRI – 7
Eager to make up for being left out of the 2021 Champions League final and boy did he do that with his excellent strike midway through the second half to give City the victory.
ILKAY GUNDOGAN – 6.5
Overcame a shaky start to keep the City passing carousel going, particularly after De Bruyne went off injured. You could see his leadership skills and Guardiola will want him to stay.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE – 6
Cruel for the Belgian maestro to leave a second Champions League final early because of injury. Had already shown his quality by setting up the best chance of the first half for Haaland.
BERNARDO SILVA – 7
City’s most dangerous attacking threat and set up Rodri’s goal. He gave Dimarco problems out wide and set the tone with the game’s first shot, a decent left-foot curler that had Onana scrambling.
ERLING HAALAND – 5.5
Hardly touched the ball until he was put through by De Bruyne after 27 mins and produced a fierce shot with his left but Onana blocked with left palm. Had to do plenty of unselfish work. Booked.
JACK GREALISH – 5.5
Excellent this season but found Dumfries a really tough adversary in Istanbul. Couldn’t get much change out of the Dutchman but continued to try and get hold of the ball and draw fouls.
Substitutes
Foden (for De Bruyne 36) 6, Walker (for Stones 82).
INTER MILAN (3-5-2)
ANDRE ONANA – 7
This could be his last game for Inter and his save from Haaland with his left palm showed why Chelsea and others like the Cameroon goalkeeper. Also gathered comfortably from De Bruyne. Booked.
MATTEO DARMIAN – 6.5
Former Manchester United defender had an extra motivation to try and stop City winning the Treble and showed enough to make you wonder why things hadn’t worked for him at Old Trafford.
FRANCESCO ACERBI – 7
What a story for the 35-year-old cancer survivor to play in his first Champions League final having joined Inter on loan from Lazio. Played in the middle of back-three where he battled Haaland.
ALESSANDRO BASTONI – 7
A member of Italy’s Euro 2020-winning squad, he made life tough for City’s talented attackers.
Read the game brilliantly to put in a challenge on Haaland when the Norwegian threatened.
DENZEL DUMFRIES – 7
The Dutch wing-back is class and was able to give Grealish a real test and still push forward when given the chance. Needed more composure with his final cross.
NICOLO BARELLA – 7
Euro 2020 winner with Italy and a strong presence last night with a shot blocked by Ake and missing the target from long range when Ederson left his goal. Liked a tackle and was booked.
MARCELO BROZOVIC – 6.5
Put in a strong performance to try and stop Gundogan from having his normal influence. The Croatian showed that for all City’s star names, the Italians have decent players too.
HAKAN CALHANOGLU – 5.5
An emotional night for the Turkish international with the final played in Istanbul. With City bossing possession, didn’t have much chances to show off his shooting skills, though one was blocked.
FEDERICO DIMARCO – 6.5
Left wing-back was better going forward than back. Seemed reluctant to challenge Bernardo when City pushed forward but was dangerous himself on the counter-attack and hit bar with a header.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ – 5.5
Argentine World Cup winner put in a real shift as he sought a second major prize this season but blew his big moment when Akanji’s error played him in and he was thwarted by Ederson.
EDIN DZEKO – 5.5
Former City striker worked valiantly off relative scraps for a 37-year-old but lasted less than an hour before he was replaced by Romelu Lukaku.
Substitutes
ROMELU LUKAKU
A nightmarish cameo from the former Manchester United striker. Inadvertedly blocked a goal-bound effort from Dimarco shortly after Rodri’s goal and then saw his header saved from point-blank range in stoppage time. 4
ROBIN GOSENS
Added a bit of attacking impetus in the closing stages but could not force a breakthrough. 6
RAOUL BELLANOVA
Brought on at the same time as Gosens but struggled to make an impact. 6
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN
Only fit enough to feature for the final few minutes and couldn’t change the outcome. 6
DANILO D’AMBROSIO
Another late introduction who could not alter the end result. 6
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