Manchester City Frustrated by Inter Milan in Champions League Opener
Manchester City’s Champions League campaign kicked off with frustration as they were held to a 0-0 draw by an impressive Inter Milan side at the Etihad Stadium.
In a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final, where City triumphed in Istanbul, Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to break down Inter’s disciplined defense, leaving both teams to share the spoils.
City, who were not at their fluent best, suffered an early setback when star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was forced off at halftime due to an injury. Guardiola revealed that he would need further consultations with the club’s medical staff to assess the extent of the problem.
Despite the injury disruption, Inter Milan proved to be formidable opponents, showing excellent organization at the back while posing a significant threat going forward.
Erling Haaland, chasing his 100th goal for Manchester City, was largely kept in check by Inter’s defense, while the visitors themselves squandered several promising opportunities.
City applied more pressure in the second half, with Phil Foden coming on as a substitute for De Bruyne. Foden had a few chances to snatch a win for the home side, but Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was up to the task, making key saves from both Foden and defender Josko Gvardiol.
Inter, meanwhile, had their own frustrations in front of goal. Matteo Darmian attempted an audacious backheel when a shot seemed the better option, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed a golden chance, firing over from close range, leaving Inter coach Simone Inzaghi visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
In the closing moments, City nearly found a breakthrough. Foden saw another effort saved by Sommer after a slick attacking move, and Ilkay Gundogan came close with two headed chances in the box.
However, Inter’s resolute defense held firm, denying City the win and marking the first time since October 2022 that Guardiola’s side failed to score in a Champions League match.
“We faced a really difficult team,” Guardiola said after the game. “I’m still really satisfied with how we played, especially considering how Inter defended. They are masters of that, so big, and they help each other unbelievably. You cannot expect to create a lot of chances against them.”
While City were unable to get the result they wanted, the draw serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in defending their Champions League title. Both sides will now look to build on their performances as the group stage progresses.