Manchester City blunted by Inter Milan in Champions League stalemate
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Manchester City's Erling Haaland applauds fans after the match, as Inter Milan's Mehdi Taremi and Davide Frattesi look on.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi said the Italian champions produced a “giant performance” to leave Manchester City frustrated in a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign on Sept 18.
One of the selling points of the new expanded Champions League format was to bring together the continent’s elite teams more often before the knockout stage.
A repeat of the 2023 final, won 1-0 by City, did little to set the pulses racing, but Inter will feel they should have inflicted a first home European defeat in six years on Pep Guardiola’s men.
Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed over the best chance of the match 15 minutes from time.
“I said ‘Well done guys’ to my team in the dressing room. They put in a giant performance,” said Inzaghi.
“We all know Manchester City and what they’re capable of. We all know what they have achieved, particularly at home. We did this and had some good chances too. I fell into a state of despair when Mkhitaryan didn’t score.”
City have started the defence of their Premier League title in relentless fashion with four consecutive wins but failed to hit their stride, as Inter comfortably held out.
“We would love to win and create more chances but I give credit to the opponent. The opponent was exceptional,” said City manager Guardiola.
“We faced a really difficult team. I’m still really satisfied for the game we played, especially with how (Inter) defended. They are masters of that, they help each other unbelievably. So you cannot expect to create a lot of chances.
“We played much better than the final (in 2023). I liked everything from my team today.
“You prefer to win but still seven games (remaining) and we’ll see what happens.”
Rodri, who scored the winning goal when the sides met in Istanbul 15 months ago, was restored to City’s starting line-up for the first time this season after his exertions in helping Spain to win Euro 2024 and following injury.
Despite his presence, Inter were composed in possession as they often pierced the City press but were lacking in composure in the final third to take advantage.
Marcus Thuram had the visitors’ best sight of goal in the first half but sidefooted wide from the edge of the box.
At the other end, Erling Haaland found Inter a far harder nut to crack than he has faced in scoring nine times in four Premier League games this season.
The Norwegian came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time, with a low effort that flew just past the post with Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer stranded.
Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan reacts after missing a chance to score.
PHOTO: REUTERS
City next face Arsenal in a top-of-the-table Premier League clash on Sept 22 and were dealt a blow just before half-time, when Kevin de Bruyne limped away after his attempted cross was blocked by Sommer.
The Belgian was replaced at the break, along with Savinho, as Guardiola called on Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden to inject some verve into the City attack.
However, the cagey pattern continued with few chances for either side.
City’s abundance of attacking talent finally sparked into life when an intricate move involving Jack Grealish and Gundogan teed up Foden, who forced Sommer into his first meaningful save 20 minutes from time.
Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne in pain after sustaining an injury before half-time.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Inter then nearly capped a mature away performance with the best opportunity of the game.
Denzel Dumfries galloped clear down the right and his deflected cross fell perfectly into the path of former Manchester United man Mkhitaryan, who failed to hit the target.
City nearly snatched victory at the death when Gundogan headed over Jeremy Doku’s cross.
But neither side could argue that they did enough to merit all three points as the spoils were shared.
AFP, REUTERS
