Man City held to a goalless draw in UCL opener against Inter Milan

Manchester City’s quest for a second Champions League title got off to a frustrating start with a goalless draw against Inter Milan in their opening group stage match.

Despite dominating at Etihad Stadium, City failed to score in a home group stage game for the first time in 40 outings, a rare occurrence for Pep Guardiola’s side.

This marks only the second time in two and a half years that City have failed to score at home, the previous occasion being last season’s goalless draw with Arsenal.

City had their chances, particularly in the second half when substitute İlkay Gündoğan missed two late opportunities. His first header was comfortably saved by Inter’s standout goalkeeper Yann Sommer, and a second headed effort sailed over from a Jeremy Doku cross just before the final whistle.

Sommer, in fine form throughout the night, was pivotal in justifying Inter’s status as dark horses in the tournament, having reached the final in 2023. City’s star striker Erling Haaland, with nine goals in four Premier League games, was tightly marked and unable to find the back of the net, much to his visible frustration.

Adding to City’s concerns was the early substitution of Kevin De Bruyne, who did not return for the second half after picking up a knock. With a critical Premier League match against Arsenal on the horizon, Guardiola will be hoping the Belgian midfielder’s injury is not serious.

On a positive note, Phil Foden made a strong return after illness, nearly breaking the deadlock, only to be denied by Sommer’s stellar performance. City will undoubtedly be disappointed by the result, but the new extended Champions League group stage format lessens the immediate impact of this setback.

On the other side, Inter Milan’s head coach Simone Inzaghi was a spectacle on the touchline, his passionate display reflecting every moment of the match. His fury peaked when substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasted Inter’s best chance, blazing the ball over the bar in the second half.

Despite his antics, Inzaghi’s tactical prowess was evident in how well his side defended against City’s relentless attacks. Having led Inter to the final against City in 2023, Inzaghi’s side showed they remain a formidable opponent, even if they are considered outsiders for the trophy.

While City’s failure to score may be frustrating, it is unlikely to harm their overall Champions League campaign, though the goalless draw serves as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted at this level.