Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw in the opening game of their Champions League campaign, while Inter performed well at the Etihad Stadium.
In a repeat of the 2023 final, the Nerazzurri were looking for revenge and the Serie A giants responded well on Wednesday night, keeping the hosts out for the most part.
The nature of the new format means Pep Guardiola won’t have to worry about points being dropped at home, but his side should produce a much smaller performance against Arsenal in Manchester on Sunday. Inter, meanwhile, face an out-of-form Milan in the Derby della Madonnina this weekend.
How the game happened
There wasn’t a good moment inside the Etihad despite the presence of the competition’s two favourites, and Inter gave City little reason to raise their voices as they produced an excellent first-half display.
The visitors are more secure in their 5-3-2 formation, but they have been more confident in possession and their tenacity changed City’s often suffocating press. Inter have had plenty of excitement in the build-up third and break through midfield, but decision-making and execution in the final third meant they were relegated to low-quality chances.
However, it’s rare that we see teams press City the way Inter did in the first half on Sunday. Simone Inzaghi’s side did not hold on, and Yann Sommer was constantly tested. Guardiola’s men made little impression, although Erling Haaland came close a few times.
It was to be played in the second half as both sides went into the break goalless, with Guardiola opting to make two changes in order to encourage the cool fans. There was no dynamic change, however, as Inter continued to block the hosts while boasting a distinct threat in transition.
Phil Foden had a close-range shot saved after the break, while Matteo Darmian chose not to shoot when Ederson’s goal was expertly played in by Mehdi Taremi.
It wasn’t until the coals died down that the visitors seemed to start to stick around. City finally picked up the pace and were able to continue attacking, and should have grabbed the tie late on but Ilkay Gundogan wasted a couple of wonderful headers.
GK: Ederson – 6/10 – Inter’s finishing was terrible, and Ederson has to deal with good efforts.
RB: Rico Lewis – 6/10 – He rarely operates at right back as he wants to have an impact between the lines. Tried to overload Inter in the right space, but had little success.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 7/10 – He had a lot to do, but Akanji defended the attack well. Recovery runs and smart mistakes came in handy.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10 – He often got the better of Marcus Thuram when the pair clashed physically, and commanded his line to ensure Inter were often caught offside.
LB: Josko Guardiol – 6/10 – An up and down performance from Guardiol. While his tenacity allowed City to break at times, Inter had the pleasure of dismantling their team in the second half.
CM: Rodri – 7/10 – There was a bit of rust in his early season. Rodri was efficient without being fancy, and he wasn’t his usual reform-minded self.
RM: Savinho – 6/10 – City turned to the Brazilian as their primary source in the first half, but the crafty playmaker was often found in twos and threes. Inter treated him well.
AM: Bernardo Silva – 5/10 – It struggled to influence the proceedings in many areas and was withdrawn late in favor of Jeremy Doku.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – 4/10 – His half-time withdrawal may have been forced, but De Bruyne was off the mark in the first half. The Belgian made mistakes in every third of the field. He put his arrows behind him well, at least.
LM: Jack Grealish – 6/10 – One who faced a lot of bodies whenever he got the ball, Grealish snarled and puffed without much reward.
ST: Erling Haaland – 6/10 – The big man started well, and came close a few times, but was completely unknown in the second half.
What you are holding
SUB: Ilkay Gundogan (46′ for De Bruyne) – 7/10
SUB: Phil Foden (46′ for Savinho) – 5/10
SUB: Jeremy Doku (80′ for Bernardo) – 6/10
Subs used: Scott Carson (GK), Stefan Ortega (GK), John Stones, Kyle Walker, James McAtee, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes.
The manager
Pep Guardiola – 5/10 – His team was blocked, and, as happened in Istanbul less than 18 months ago, played. However, City did not get the result they wanted in this event.
GK: Yann Sommer – 8/10 – He is surprisingly quiet, but he was needed at times and never let his side down. Safe hands, and he was usually ahead of his feet.
CB: Yan Bisseck – 8/10 – Not many predicted his inclusion in Inzaghi’s XI, but the young defender confirmed the manager’s faith. He has defended his station very well throughout, and has been in good command.
CB: Francesco Acerbi – 8/10 – Inter’s ambition was demonstrated by the positions Acerbi found himself in from time to time. The wily veteran defended his box well.
CB: Alessandro Bastoni – 9/10 – Guilty of a dangerous contribution at the beginning of the second half, but Bastoni did not put a foot wrong otherwise. Very good with the ball, and a strong customer without.
RWB: Matteo Darmian – 6/10 – Why didn’t he shoot?!
CM: Nicolo Barella – 9/10 – The Inter captain on the night set the tone early on in the 15th minute when he almost single-handedly lifted his team off the pitch. Very intelligent on the ball, the Italian’s ability to play with one and two touches allows Inter to break at will.
CM: Hakan Calhanoglu – 8/10 – Inter’s signings produced some excellent play in midfield. Calhanoglu was happy to get the ball in whatever position he was in, and his distribution in difficult areas was outstanding. One of the best things in the business right now.
CM: Piotr Zielinski – 7/10 – He had a good time during his one hour arrival. Like his teammates, Zielinski never wilted in the face of City’s pressure, and was brilliant when forced to defend a transition.
LWB: Carlos Augusto – 7/10 – A determined runner down the left, and stuck to his job defensively – even if he had plenty of support.
ST: Marcus Thuram – 6/10 – A good link-up with Barella allowed Inter to take on City, but Thuram’s execution in the final third was poor. He was caught offside a few times, too.
ST: Mehdi Taremi – 7/10 – Taremi was effective on the breakaway, working more as a facilitator than a finisher. The fact that he stayed for the full 90 years was a testament to his performance.
What you are holding
SUB: Lautaro Martinez (65′ for Thuram) – 6/10
SUB: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (65′ for Zielinski) – 6/10
SUB: Benjamin Pavard (74′ for Bisseck) – 5/10
SUB: Denzel Dumfries (74′ for Darmian) – 5/10
SUB: Davide Frattesi (82′ for Calhanoglu) – 5/10
Subs used: Raffaele Di Gennaro (GK), Josep Martinez (GK), Stefan De Vrij, Kristjan Asslani.
The manager
Simone Inzaghi – 9/10 – When was the last time you saw a team do this at the Etihad? They were completely powerless!
Best player: Nicolo Barella (Inter)
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