Champions League
Mancini: “City are favourites, but the final with Inter is open”
Manchester City appear to be the big favorites to win the Champions League this year, but coach Roberto Mancini isn’t writing off Inter Milan and made that clear with his placement in the final.
In recent years, Manchester City have suffered problems in the Champions League, either because they were up against English sides who were unaware of the danger they were facing (Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea) or because they failed against… seven-man Real , but this year … scenario was written differently.
One team from the island failed to find their way in either the group stage or the knockout rounds, while this year’s hurdle, Real, as the ‘leaders’ last season, made sure to overcome it in style and in which they are about to reach the final of the Champions League for the second time in three years and have the first word in the cup.
And that’s because in front of them is the defending champions of three Champions Leagues, Inter, but they don’t have the dynamism and squad of the citizens, since the Nerazzurri have already managed to reach Istanbul and are considered absolute underdogs.
Still, no one can write them off, and that’s what Roberto Mancini, former Inter Milan and Manchester City coach and current Italy national team coach, believes says:
“We have three Italian teams in the three European finals, Inter, Roma and Fiorentina, and we can aim for three wins.”
Of course it’s not easy, but it’s possible. The Serie A teams that were in the final have 12-13 teams each and that’s important.
Many think it’s obvious that City will win. They are favourites, but everything remains open, like Sevilla – Roma and West Ham – Fiorentina.”
Source: Sport 24
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappe He became the top scorer of the Champions League in 2025.
The 27-year-old striker has 14 goals.
Inter’s Lautaro Martinez is in second place with 12 goals.
Third place in the summary rankings for 2025 was taken by Bayern’s Harry Kane (scored 11 goals).
Champions League’s top scorers in 2025
- 14 – Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
- 12 – Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
- 11-Harry Kane (Bayern)
- 10 – Serou Guirassi (Borussia)
- 9-Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
- 9 – Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- 9 – Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
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Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
Former coach of Dynamo Kiev Alexander Showkovsky He should have been sacked in August after a poor performance in the Champions League qualifiers.
The blue-whites, who lost twice to Cypriot Paphos in the 3rd round of the European Cup (0:1 and 0:2), were relegated to the Europa League and then promoted to the Conference League.
“I know that Dinamo management believes that a change of coach could and should be made in the summer, after they lost to Paphos in the Champions League qualifiers.
Then an opportunity arose. But the necessary candidate was not available,” the source said.
Due to the lack of alternatives, the president of the Kiev club decided to leave Shovkovsky as head coach, but in November the Ukrainian specialist was nevertheless fired and left Dynamo.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
We continue to examine the future of Donetsk shakhtar To buy tickets directly to the main stage Champions League 2026/27.
This will be possible if the place reserved for the team that wins the Champions League trophy is redistributed.
All important moments of the match are available in LIVE mode Telegram Sport.ua
Donetsk Miner They are in fourth place with a coefficient of 50.250 among the clubs competing for a possible position at the heart of the Champions League.
In the last European week, the Donetsk club added +2.625 points. This increase was achieved with a 0-0 draw with Croatian Rijeka in the 6th round of the Conference League and a sixth place in the main round final table.
Main rival Greek Olympiacos – 56,500 points remaining. The Miners can regain the 6,250-point lead if they perform well in the spring part of the European Cups.
It is interesting that Shakhtar lost the first place in the UPL (Cherkasy has the same number of points as LNZ – 35 points each), and Olympiacos lost the lead in Greece to the AEK team (36 points against 37). Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk plays for the team of the city of Piraeus.
Positions rangers (59,250), 4th in Scotland and Copenhagen (53.375), placed 5th in Denmark, looks less competitive in the rankings due to its position in the national championships. Leader only in championships Dinamo Zagreb And RB Salzburg (44,000 each) but there is no certainty that the turn will come.
Let us remind you that if the cup holder buys a ticket to the Champions League through the national championship, there will be a vacancy in the main squad in the 2026/27 Champions League. In this case, a balance will arise again and if Shakhtar wins the UPL and is ahead of Olympiacos in the UEFA club rankings (or the Greek club does not become the champion of Greece), it can get a direct ticket to the base of the Champions League.
If the Piraeus team is higher in the rankings and takes advantage of the available space, the Donetsk club will start from the 4th quarter of the Champions League, not the 2nd quarter, in case they win in the UPL.
Candidates for direct tickets to the Champions League 2026/27 main stage
(In case the quota reserved for the Champions League champion becomes vacant)
UEFA Club Rankings 2026
infographics
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
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