Facing Inter Milan for their Champions League debut, Manchester City were held at home by a valiant and uncompromising Inter team.
For the reunion between the 2023 finalists, Manchester City hosted Inter Milan at the Etihad on the first day of the Champions League. In 2023 in Istanbul, it was the English who won 1-0, with a goal from Rodri in the 68th minute. Leading the Premier League table with 12 points out of a possible 12, City arrived with full confidence, to face the Italians who are 4th in Serie A with 8 points in 4 days. Nathan Ake is absent for City, as are Arnautovic and Di Marco for Inter. Lautaro Martinez starts on the bench, in favor of Mehdi Taremi.
After the kick-off, as expected, it was Pep Guardiola’s men who had control of the ball, albeit in a sterile manner. On the other side, Inter were dangerous in recovery, with some rather worrying transitions for the opponent. But the first shot on target came in the 19th minute, and was scored by Erling Haaland on a cross from Savinho, but Sommer was on the lookout. City continued to push, creating another opportunity in the 37th minute, but Silva missed his attempted volley following a service from Debruyne. A fairly dull match, City had possession, but Inter caused problems for the English in transition even if they lacked lucidity in the last 30 metres of Paris, 0-0 at the break.
In the second half, Guardiola returned with two changes made at half-time. Gundogan came on for De Bruyne, who had been injured at the end of the first half. Foden also replaced Savinho. Despite these two changes, the two teams continued to neutralise each other. City pushed with the ball, coming up against either the clumsiness of their attackers, the good Italian defence or Yann Sommer’s saves, particularly in the 89th minute on a header from Gundogan. The match ended without a goal.
0-0 final score, as in the 2023 final, Inter resisted the English assaults well, but with much more success this time due to not having conceded any goals. First match of the season without a goal for the Citizens who remained on 4 wins in a row. On the Inter side, very good point taken on the pitch of one of the favorites of the competition.
