Manchester City player Ilkay Gundogan reacts to a missed chance during the UEFA Champions League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Wednesday September 18, 2024. (Image: 2024 PA Media, all rights reserved)
Manchester City failed to create a sensation and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener against Inter Milan.
There was none of the tension of the last time the two sides met in the 2023 final, as City struggled to break down an impressive Inter side who troubled them on numerous occasions at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan went close late on, but former Manchester United duo Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan spurned Inter's two best chances of the night.
The hosts showed off their new Oasis-inspired 'Definitely City' European kit, a 'light straw' coloured outfit co-designed by Noel Gallagher, but their performance was far from a success.
They played their usual patient game in the first half but struggled to create clear openings and were repeatedly surprised by Inter's rapid counter-attacks.
Had it not been for poor finishing from the Italians, Pep Guardiola's side could have easily been led.
City had just one attempt on target in the first half, when Erling Haaland's header was comfortably collected by Yann Sommer.
Haaland had another chance snuffed out when Alessandro Bastoni intercepted a Jack Grealish cross and the Norway forward also fired a low shot narrowly wide.
Savinho also missed the target horribly, but other than that most of the action in front of goal took place at the other end of the pitch.
A couple of good counter-attacks from Inter came to nothing, with Mehdi Taremi and Marcus Thuram failing to trouble Ederson and Hakan Calhanoglu seeing his shot blocked.
A poor pass from Ederson presented Darmian with a chance, but the former United defender's effort was headed home by Josko Gvardiol.
Thuram shot wide from the edge of the area and Ederson saved Carlos Augusto's shot well with his feet.
Darmian had a golden opportunity after being released early in the second half but bizarrely chose to backheel towards no one in particular rather than shoot as he closed in on goal.
Coach Simone Inzaghi, who was a frenetic figure on the touchline throughout the game, reacted with utter disbelief and fury at his profligacy.
City were now playing without playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who had looked somewhat hampered in the closing minutes of the first half and was withdrawn at half-time.
It did, however, allow Foden to return to the front line and he and substitute team-mate Gundogan at least got City going.
The England international made a fine save from Sommer with 20 minutes remaining and Gvardiol also tested the Swiss number one.
In between those chances, Inter wasted another glorious opportunity when substitute Mkhitaryan fired over from 10 yards.
Lautaro Martinez fired past Ederson as Inter pushed for a late winner and City also threatened late on as Foden and Gundogan tested Sommer.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1950369/Manchester-City-Inter-Milan-Champions-League