Manchester City failed to break down a stern Inter Milan on Wednesday evening, as the two sides played out a goalless draw in their opening match of the 2024-25 Champions League.
Pep Guardiola's side were bidding to make it six straight wins in all competitions this season, and they fielded a player who had scored nine times in his opening four matches of the new Premier League campaign in Erling Haaland, but the Citizens could not find a route past Inter.
A very even first period produced 19 attempts, with 10 of those actually coming from Inter, but both had two shots on target in an open and entertaining first 45 minutes of action in Manchester.
Kevin De Bruyne was Man City's biggest threat in the opening half at the Etihad Stadium, with the Belgian coming close on two occasions, but the home side's goalkeeper Ederson was required in first-half stoppage time to keep out a low drive from Carlos Augusto.
De Bruyne actually had to be replaced at the interval with an apparent injury, handing the Citizens a huge worry ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Man City were comfortably the better side in the second half, ending the contest with 22 shots, including a couple of late headed chances for Ilkay Gundogan, but they were unable to find the back of the net, as Inter secured a welcome point in Manchester.
MAN CITY VS. INTER MILAN HIGHLIGHTS
Ilkay Gundogan chance vs. Inter Milan (89th min, Man City 0-0 Inter Milan)
Pep Guardiola's reaction says it all...
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2024
İlkay Gündoğan with a golden opportunity to give Man City the lead 🕒
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/DyOKxkjUT5
Gundogan is free inside the Inter box and gets his head on a cross from Josko Gvardiol, but his effort is straight into the arms of the away side's goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Ilkay Gundogan chance vs. Inter Milan (94th min, Man City 0-0 Inter Milan)
Another great chance falls for İlkay Gündoğan in the last minute but the midfielder fails to convert ❌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/57oMs4re63
Man City have another golden chance to win it in the very final moments, as Gundogan makes contact on a cross from Jeremy Doku, but his header is over the crossbar. Should have scored!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JOSKO GVARDIOL
© Imago
It was certainly not a match for the attacking players, and it is therefore not a surprise that a defender has been handed the man-of-the-match award.
In truth, this was a straightforward decision, with Gvardiol comfortably the best player on the field.
The Croatia international ended the match with a pass success rate of 96%, demonstrating his quality on the ball, but he was first to every challenge and every header, with the 22-year-old producing a standout performance at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
MAN CITY VS. INTER MILAN MATCH STATS
Possession: Man City 63%-37% Inter Milan
Shots: Man City 23-13 Inter Milan
Shots on target: Man City 5-3 Inter Milan
Corners: Man City 4-3 Inter Milan
Fouls: Man City 12-9 Inter Milan
BEST STATS
10 - Internazionale had 10 shots in the first half against Man City; the first opposing side to have 10+ shots in the opening half of a UEFA Champions League game at the Etihad since Monaco in February 2017 (also 10). Unfazed. #UCL pic.twitter.com/2u3ihQFFMG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2024
Man City have failed to score in a match for the second time in 2024...
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) September 18, 2024
Last time it was Arsenal, now it's Inter Milan 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/0FzVDgjRIH
WHAT NEXT?
Man City will be bidding to return to winning ways when they welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but they could be without the services of De Bruyne for the Premier League affair.
Inter, meanwhile, have the small matter of a Milan derby in Serie A with AC Milan on Sunday night, and Simone Inzaghi's side will enter that clash full of confidence due to their strong showing in Manchester.
Matt Law
