Inter Milan battened down the hatches and escaped the Etihad Stadium with a point as hosts Manchester City began the UEFA Champions League league phase with a scoreless draw in a “rematch” of the 2022-23 UCL Final.
[ MORE: UEFA Champions League hub — Format, schedule, more ]
The Premier League side was a little wasteful against an Inter side that followed Real Madrid’s playbook against City from last season’s knockout rounds, albeit without finish.
City ripped off 21 shots to Inter’s 13, with 12 coming after the break while the Italian only took three in the second frame. But Swiss keeper Yann Sommer commanded Inter’s box with five saves amongst 10 recoveries.
Familiar UCL story for City but no need to worry (about the result)
Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League title defense ended last season in a match just like this. City exited the first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with a 3-3 score line, then conceded an early Rodrygo goal in the second leg at home and could only manage a late Kevin De Bruyne equalizer before falling in penalties to the eventual champions.
That second leg saw a desperate City out-attempt Real 33-8 and pile up 2.74 xG to the Spanish side’s 1.44 over 120 minutes. City rang up nearly the same xG on Wednesday in 90 minutes (2.45) but couldn’t get the ball over the line as Yann Sommer was his typical brilliant self in goal. These games happen, and Pep Guardiola should be content that this one happened on Matchday 1 of a forgiving format.
Now.... how is Kevin De Bruyne after his halftime substitution. He played on for a minute or two after a late first-half injury, but his absence would be huge against Arsenal on Sunday (even with the Gunners missing Martin Odegaard for some time).
Manchester City vs Inter Milan player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
City’s left side was dominant, as Jack Grealish was pulling the strings. Phil Foden’s late start to the season has given Grealish new life on the wing, while Josko Gvardiol continues to improve in Pep Guardiola’s system and Rodri showed little rust in his first start. Yann Sommer, as noted above, was great for Inter. The Swiss star is one of the best at his position, full stop.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester City vs Inter Milan player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
City return to the Premier League with a huge match against Arsenal on Sunday. Their next UCL match is Oct. 1 in Slovakia when they meet Slovan Bratislava, who was cooked 5-1 by Celtic in Scotland on Wednesday.
Inter Milan have a derby with AC Milan at the weekend. Their next UCL match is also Oct. 1, home to Red Star Belgrade.
How to watch Manchester City vs Inter Milan live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (September 18)
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Manchester City vs Inter Milan live updates — By Nick Mendola
Manchester City vs Inter Milan final score: 0-0
Bus = parked
Inter clearly prepared to take their point now, and we’re seeing City move the ball around against packed-in bunch of visitors.
Foden has a half-chance saved by Sommer. 88th minute now.
Sommer again, then another City sub
This time the ball goes right-to-left, leading to a vicious Josko Gvardiol rip that Sommer goes left to parry.
City bring in Jeremy Doku for Bernardo Silva. We’re about to hit the 81st minute.
Breakthrough denied!
Good side-to-side passing ends with a Phil Foden point-blank drive that’s low and caught by Sommer.
City win it back quickly and Ilkay Gundogan’s hard, awkward volley spins over the bar.
Still scoreless as we enter the 71st minute.
Inter subs
Marcus Thuram comes off for Lautaro Martinez — danger alert? — while Piotr Zielinski, on yellow, exits for ex-Man United man Henrik Mkhitaryan.
Second-half subs making difference
De Bruyne looked a little off at the end of the first half, nearly asking for trainers, and Ilkay Gundogan takes his spot for the second half.
Phil Foden replaced Savinho and he’s looked bright after a long lay-off.
Inter have had mroe of the ball in the first 18 minutes of the second frame, but just one shot attempt to City’s three.
Halftime — Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan
A good half with some real Serie A vibes to it.
Inter hold a 10-9 edge in shots, though the danger wasn’t there until Augusto’s late effort.
Man City should be ahead, and their 62% possession bodes well for the second half.
City have only put two of their nine attempts on frame. The hosts lead in xG by 0.74-0.42.
Augusto’s tricky shot saved
Carlos Augusto drives the left side just before the break and cracks a tight-angled low shot toward goal.
It’s a bid to nutmeg Ederson, but he flexes his left leg to keep it scoreless into the break.
De Bruyne denied before half
Kevin De Bruyne is slipped into the box and has to defy a sliding defender and Sommer, as both players get a little of the Belgian’s acute-angled shot.
Inter find their footing
It’s about getting possession by establishing threat on the counter, and it’s working a bit. Inter have found seven shot attempts, though few would be characterized as dangerous.
Erling Haaland, as if on cue, attempts a shot that picks out the right corner but spins wide of the far post.
Early on, it’s City
Pep Guardiola’s men are wearing their Oasis-themed third kits at the Etihad Stadium, and they are in the ascendancy in terms of possesion and the game’s biggest chance. Savinho has a deflected shot collected by Yann Sommer.
0-0, 10'.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish, Haaland.
Inter Milan lineup
Sommer, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Carlos, Thuram, Taremi.
Manchester City focus, team news
There are two injury absentees for City with Oscar Bobb out with a lower leg injury and Nathan Ake is recovering from the hamstring issue he picked up during international duty. City will go with plenty of experience for this one as Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, Foden and De Bruyne are likely to start in midfield and Gvardiol, Akanji, Stones and Walker are set to start in defense. Guardiola has so many options and is an expert at rotating.
Inter Milan focus, team news
Inter have two main injury issues with Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan out after suffering a leg fracture and wingback Federico Dimarco struggling to be fit. Inter have a lot of experience in their team and goalkeeper Yann Sommer should calm things down at the back, while center backs Acerbi and Bastoni are tasked with keeping Haaland and Co. quiet.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan prediction
This feels like it will be a tight, tense game but City will just get the job done given the brilliance of Haaland and De Bruyne at the start of this season. Manchester City 2-1 Inter Milan.