Manchester City were held to goalless draw by a determined Inter Milan side at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side lifted the European Cup the last time the two teams met just 15 months ago. And the performance of the Italian champions showed their performance in Istanbul was not a one-off.
Just as they were last June, Simone Inzaghi’s team were every bit the match of City and they, in fact, squandered a host of promising attacks thanks to indecision, poor finishing or bad luck.
Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN was at the Etihad to cast an eye over the respective players in their opening Champions League clash of the campaign.
Ilkay Gundogan squandered two late chances for Man City to claim victory against Inter
Former Man United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed a shot over the bar from close range
Simone Inzaghi’s (left) astute tactics left Pep Guardiola (right) and his team frustrated
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Ederson – 6
A few jittery moments and Pep Guardiola seemed angry at the goalkeeper giving the ball away needlessly. But did make a couple of decent stops.
Manuel Akanji – 8
Almost flawless in the face of some troublingly fast breaks. Plays at his own pace and the game appears to slow when he’s on song.
Ruben Dias – 7
Did well to pass a fair examination posed by Inter’s front two in a first half the visitors appeared the more likely to edge ahead.
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
Some neat interceptions helped City turn the ball over. Incisive in choosing options when roaming forward. Later struggled with his defensive positioning.
Rico Lewis – 6.5
Busy without producing those standout moments to prove the difference against stubborn opposition. Recycled possession quickly in his hybrid role.
Manuel Akanji remained calm in the face of several Inter fast breaks throughout the game
Rodri made his first start of the season after being afforded an extended break after Euro 2024
Jack Grealish (right) enjoyed another largely positive night and made things happen on the left
Rodri – 6.5
A first start of the season for Rodri, who grew into the game and became more reliable as it grew older. Make take some time to see his very best again.
Savinho – 6
Unfortunate to have been hooked at the break as Guardiola shuffled his pack. Dangerous off the right, although missing a killer final ball.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Barely wasted a pass all night, whether in the middle or on the right wing. But without ever really springing into life – summing up City’s evening.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5
A night for De Bruyne to forget. Nothing came off for the playmaker and he appeared jaded. Seemed to pick up a knock and came off at half time.
Jack Grealish – 7
Another largely positive performance from Grealish, who made things happen from the left in a way others did not. Particularly strong driving at his man.
Erling Haaland – 6
Lacking in support and surrounded by top man-to-man markers, Haaland’s willing running didn’t produce a 100th City goal that many expected.
Kevin De Bruyne had a night to forget as nothing came off for the City skipper at the Etihad
Erling Haaland will have to wait for his 100th goal for City after a struggling to make an impact
Subs
Phil Foden (for Savinho, 46) – 7
Ilkay Gundogan (for De Bruyne, 46) – 7
Jeremy Doku (for Silva, 80)
Manager: Pep Guardiola – 6
The suited boss cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as City couldn’t fashion chances.
INTER MILAN (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 7
Not a great deal for Sommer – who usually struggles against City – to do until two big second-half saves, the first from Foden and then Gvardiol.
Matteo Darmian – 7
Asked to take care of Grealish but also put pressure on Gvardiol. Dealt with what was thrown at him; almost took advantage of an Ederson mistake.
Yann Bisseck – 7
Doubled up on City’s left with Darmian. Bisseck’s physicality gave him an edge when City swarmed forward. Could have been more precise on the ball.
Francesco Acerbi – 7.5
Marshalled the back five nice, staying close to Haaland at all times. Dropped deeper than the others during transitions like an old-fashioned sweeper.
Francesco Acerbi marshalled the back five nice and stayed close to Haaland at all times
Alessandro Bastoni (pictured, right) didn’t stray too far from his defensive partner Acerbi
Alessandro Bastoni – 8
Didn’t stray too far from Acerbi, and by proxy Haaland. Some classic gutsy defending when averting danger from an experienced head who puts his body on the line.
Carlos Augusto – 7
Had to remain disciplined in the left wing-back role up against Savinho but did still manage to join in when possible to cause the hosts problems.
Nicolo Barella – 7.5
Simone Inzaghi’s skipper was the one directing traffic for Inter and organising the rotation of their three central midfielders. Typically energetic display.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7
Asked to put in a spirited shift in the middle of midfield and always looked the most likely from that area to get on the end of something for Inter.
Piotr Zielinski – 7
One daring 45-yard run from the edge of his own box, taking several City defenders with him, showed what the Pole offers.
Mehdi Taremi – 7.5
Brought in for Lautaro Martinez for his physical presence and the new signing from Porto fulfilled that role perfectly as Inter looked to counter.
Nicolo Barella was the one directing traffic for Inter and organising their three midfielders
Marcus Thuram was caught offside too easily and could’ve made better decisions with the chances that came his way
Marcus Thuram – 7
Always a dangerous customer – in carrying Inter forward and occupying markers – but was caught offside too easily and could’ve made better decisions.
Subs
Lautaro Martinez (for Thuram, 66) – 6
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (for Zielinski, 66) – 6
Denzel Dumfries (for Darmian, 75)
Benjamin Pavard (for Bisseck, 75)
Manager: Simone Inzaghi – 8
Such a triumph in coaching from Inzaghi, who was a bundle of energy in the away dugout.
