• A Manchester City fan holds a banner in front of an inflatable replica of the Uefa Champions League trophy in Taksim Square in Istanbul on the eve of the Champions League final match between Inter Milan and Manchester City at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium. AFP
    A Manchester City fan holds a banner in front of an inflatable replica of the Uefa Champions League trophy in Taksim Square in Istanbul on the eve of the Champions League final match between Inter Milan and Manchester City at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium. AFP
  • Football fans line the streets in central Istanbul ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League Final. PA
    Football fans line the streets in central Istanbul ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League Final. PA
  • People stand in front of a giant replica of the Champions League trophy in Taksim Square ahead of the Uefa Champions League final in Istanbul. Getty
    People stand in front of a giant replica of the Champions League trophy in Taksim Square ahead of the Uefa Champions League final in Istanbul. Getty
  • Inter Milan fans gather at Taksim Square in Istanbul ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League Final between Manchester City and Inter Milan at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. PA
    Inter Milan fans gather at Taksim Square in Istanbul ahead of Saturday's Uefa Champions League Final between Manchester City and Inter Milan at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. PA
  • Sprinklers are turned on in the middle of the pitch during an Inter Milan training session at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. PA
    Sprinklers are turned on in the middle of the pitch during an Inter Milan training session at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. PA
  • Ataturk Olympic Stadium ahead of the Champions League final. Reuters
    Ataturk Olympic Stadium ahead of the Champions League final. Reuters
  • Former Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard, left, now a TV pundit, on the pitch at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. PA
    Former Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard, left, now a TV pundit, on the pitch at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. PA
  • Final preparations are being made at Ataturk Olympic Stadium ahead of the final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. PA
    Final preparations are being made at Ataturk Olympic Stadium ahead of the final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. PA
  • Manchester City fans pose for a photo in front of a replica of the Champions League trophy in Taksim Square. Getty
    Manchester City fans pose for a photo in front of a replica of the Champions League trophy in Taksim Square. Getty
  • Fans are welcoming Manchester City to Istanbul ahead of their Champions League final tie against Inter Milan on Saturday. PA
    Fans are welcoming Manchester City to Istanbul ahead of their Champions League final tie against Inter Milan on Saturday. PA
  • City's team bus arrives at the hotel. PA
    City's team bus arrives at the hotel. PA
  • A replica of the Champions League trophy greets visitors on the streets of Istanbul. Bloomberg
    A replica of the Champions League trophy greets visitors on the streets of Istanbul. Bloomberg
  • Fans are getting into the cup final spirit. EPA
    Fans are getting into the cup final spirit. EPA
  • The trophy is in Taksim Square. AFP
    The trophy is in Taksim Square. AFP
  • Turkish Football Federation president Mehmet Buyukeksi and former Turkey footballer Hamit Altintop unveil the trophy. Reuters
    Turkish Football Federation president Mehmet Buyukeksi and former Turkey footballer Hamit Altintop unveil the trophy. Reuters
  • City manager Pep Guardiola arrives at the team hotel. PA Photo
    City manager Pep Guardiola arrives at the team hotel. PA Photo
  • It's the biggest game in European club football. AFP
    It's the biggest game in European club football. AFP
  • City fans in Taksim Square. PA
    City fans in Taksim Square. PA
  • City's Riyad Mahrez arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's Riyad Mahrez arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's chief executive Ferran Soriano arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's chief executive Ferran Soriano arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • Former City player Mike Summerbee arrives at the team hotel. PA
    Former City player Mike Summerbee arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's John Stones arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's John Stones arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's Aymeric Laporte arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's Aymeric Laporte arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's Bernardo Silva arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's Bernardo Silva arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's Ruben Dias arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's Ruben Dias arrives at the team hotel. PA
  • City's Erling Haaland arrives at the team hotel. PA
    City's Erling Haaland arrives at the team hotel. PA

Sport

Champions League final: Fever pitch in Istanbul - in pictures

Players arrive and trophy unveiled ahead of Saturday's game

The National

June 09, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic
Updated: June 09, 2023, 6:58 AM
PhotographyChampions LeagueManchester CityInter Milan