Manchester City 0, Inter Milan 0
Manchester City and Inter Milan played out an entertaining if goalless Champions League draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Two former Manchester United player – Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – spurned good chances on the break against the home side who were wearing their Oasis themed fourth kit while City were much improved in the second half but could not score.
City were frustrated by some disciplined and organised play by Inter Milan who also had their chances through Marcus Thuram.
The Blues found space in midfield restricted and Kevin De Bruyne had to come off at half time after picking up a knock.
Ex-Manchester United full back Matteo Darmian found himself in space after the break but he opted to back heel the ball rather than shoot to give City the chance to clear as his manager went apoplectic on the side lines.
City then had a counter attack of their own but Phil Foden’s shot was blocked and Grealish’s ball into the box went unconverted.
Foden had a great chance to break the deadlock but his shot was blocked while Ilkay Gundogan – a fellow half time sub – volleyed over the bar.
And Ex-United player Henrikh Mkhitaryan skied a great chance to score after a right win cross by Denzel Dumfries was allowed to reach him.
City had a period of pressure culminating in a shot by Josko Gvardiol which Sommer saved while Rodri and Foden could also have broken the deadlock and Gvardiol’s 89th minute cross deserved a better finish by Gundogan who could only head the ball straight to Sommer. He missed an even better diving header laid on by Doku in injury time as the spoils were shared.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 0, Inter Milan 0
Ederson: 7. Saved a couple of times from Marcus Thuram, Carlos Augusto, and Lautaro Martinez.
Rico Lewis: 7. Enjoyed inverting into midfield. Played high and got involved, almost scored a goal.
Ruben Dias: 7. Upset after getting booked for a tough tackle.
Manuel Akanji: 7. Good insurance policy at the back. Blocked a shot from Hakan Calhanoglu.
Josko Gvardiol: 7. Important clearances at the back. Not as many chances to go forward but made the most of it when he could.
Rodri: 6. Moved the ball around coolly in midfield but not his usual dominant self until the second half.
Bernardo Silva: 6. Almost created himself a chance with some great movement in tight spaces. Moved to the right flank after half time.
Kevin De Bruyne: 6. Not a lot of space to operate in. Looked to have sustained a knock under close attention from Yann Sommer.
Savinho: 6. Looked at home going up against Carlos Augusto and cutting inside. Had early shot that was easy to save for Yann Sommer.
Jack Grealish: 7. Drew his usual fouls while trying to create space in the Inter midfield, created plenty of chances from the left and had shots blocked.
Erling Haaland: 6. Thwarted by Piotr Zielinski as he tried to break clear for a shot. Header saved by Yann Sommer but blazed over trying to curl an effort past Sommer. Powered a ball beyond the back post with everyone rooted.
Ilkay Gundogan (on for Savinho, 46): 6. On for more control in midfield but missed two great chances to win it for City.
Phil Foden (on for Kevin De Bruyne, 46): 6. Dipping shot went over the bar. Found space in midfield restricted.
Jeremy Doku (on for Bernardo Silva, 80): No time to mark.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester City 0, Inter Milan 0
There were 4 changes for Manchester City from the side that beat Brentford. Savinho was fit enough to return to action after limping off against the Bees with cramp.
Kyle Walker, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Ilkay Gundogan sat out this game, while Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva came into the side.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 0, Inter Milan 0
Man City: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo Silva (Doku 80), De Bruyne (C) (Foden 46), Savinho (Gundogan 46), Grealish, Haaland
Man City Subs not used: Ortega, Carson, Walker, Stones, Kovacic, Nunes, McAtee
Bookings: Dias 33 (foul on Piotr Zienlinski)
Inter Milan: Sommer, Bisseck (Pavard 75), Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian (Dumfries 75), Barella (C), Calhanoglu (Frattesi 82), Zielinski (Mkhitaryan 66), Augusto, Taremi, Thuram (Lautaro Martinez 66)
Inter Milan Subs not used: Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, De Vrij, Asllani
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)