MAN CITY 0, INTER MILAN 0
Erling Haaland missed out on another record as Manchester City were held at home by Inter Milan as they made a faltering start to their Champions League campaign.
In a repeat of the 2023 final in Istanbul, where City were crowned champions of Europe, the two teams were involved in another heavyweight clash.
The Serie A champions produced a defensive masterclass to restrict City to few clear-cut chances as their discipline and resolve not to be beaten.
Indeed, this was only the second time in 42 home Champions League games under Pep Guardiola that City had failed to find the net – the other was against Sporting Lisbon in 2022.
Haaland, who has already netted nine goals this season, was restricted to only one clear-cut chance on a night when he could have smashed another goalscoring record.
The Norwegian had scored 99 goals in 103 games – make that 104 as he was looking to better Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100 in his first 105 matches for Real Madrid.
It was not simply a super defensive showing, but the Italians could easily have snatched victory.
They were a threat on the break and had arguably two of the best chances which were spurned ironically by former Manchester United pair Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Guardiola had no complaints with the result, describing Inter as a “top, top team”.
He said: “We faced a really difficult team. I liked everything from my team today. It was a good performance, though we would loved to have won and create more chances, but there are still seven games to play.
“Give them credit as they ran and ran, but we created enough chances to win.
“They [Inter] defended really well. I admired them.
“We defended well because we know how they good they are. They are a top-class team, a top, top team.”
Guardiola explained the reasoning behind making two substitutions at the break, saying: “Sometimes I do not like it, and I have other weapons.
“I needed it against their structure to find pockets of space and needed different players.”
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi described it as a “giant performance”.
“We knew what Manchester City are capable of, especially at home in the Champions League,” he said.
Rodri was in City’s starting line-up for the first time this season as they started their Champions League campaign.
The fixture holds special memories for Rodri, who scored the winner against Inter in the 2023 final in Istanbul.
He played the second half against Brentford on Saturday and was one of four changes made by Guardiola.
Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Bernardo Silva came in with John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic dropping to the bench.
Inter had two former Manchester United players involved as Matteo Darmian started while Henrikh Mkhitaryan was on the bench.
The Italians made the brighter start and carved out a number of decent openings without ever troubling Ederson.
City had to wait almost 20 minutes before carving out their first serious chance, but Halland’s header was easily caught by keeper Yann Sommer from Savinho’s cross.
Inter continued to be a threat every time they attacked with City unable to find any rhythm or fluency against a well-marshalled Milan side.
Haaland had their best chance in the 36th minute, a daisy-cutter from the edge of the box which bobbled a couple of feet wide.
Inter had another decent opening in stoppage time as Carlos Augusto’s angled effort was well kept out by Ederson.
The way Guardiola sprinted down the tunnel demonstrated how unhappy he was with his side’s first-half display.
That was underlined as he made two changes for the restart, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan replacing Kevin De Bruyne, who picked up a knock, and Savinho.
Inter brought on star man Lautaro Martinez, the Argentine who scored the winner in the final of Copa America in July.
Darmian burst clear only to get the ball tangled between his feet and edged up back heeling the ball to City.
City had a great chance to take the lead in the 69th minute when Grealish and Gundogan linked to set up Foden whose shot was brilliantly kept out by Sommer.
Inter ought to have taken the lead with14 minutes left when Benjamin Pavard cross for Mkhitaryan who blazed over from 10 yards when he should have hit the target.
Josko Gvardiol forced a great save from Sommer as City looked for a breakthrough.
Guardiola brought of Jeremy Doku for Bernardo Silva to try and inject pace in the latter stages as opponents tired.
They had another glorious chance when Gvardiol’s cross was met by Gundogan whose free header flew straight to Sommer.
City could have won it in the fourth of four added minutes when Gundogan’s diving header from seven yards cleared the bar from Doku’s cross as the night ended in frustration.
- Inter had another excellent result in Manchester earlier in the day as their U19s beat City 4-2 in the UEFA Youth League.