Man City held by Inter in UCL opener

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Manchester City's Erling Haaland shoots during the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Wednesday September 18, 2024.
  • Post published:September 19, 2024

Manchester City were forced to share the spoils with Inter Milan after playing out to a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Guardiola’s team has won all four Premier League games this season but failed to beat Inter in a replay of the 2023 final.

Kevin De Bruyne was injured at halftime, and Phil Foden shot straight at Inter custodian Yann Sommer with their finest chance. Erling Haaland was kept quiet as he chased his 100th goal for the English side.

“It was a very intense game against a strong opponent. We knew what was coming, they are a top team as well and they are used to winning, so we were not going to have an easy job,” City defender Ruben Dias told TNT Sports.

Inter could have won it when Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot over 15 minutes from time, but City extended their unbeaten run in the competition to 24 matches, one off Manchester United’s 2007–2009 record.

Only the second time in 42 home Champions League games under Guardiola has City not scored.

“Our plan was to show that we’re not scared to play here,” said Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

PSG appeared to be heading for a draw against Girona, owned by the City Football Group and who battled Real Madrid for months in Spain last season before finishing third.

However, Paulo Gazzaniga’s 90th-minute mistake allowed Nuno Mendes’ cross to slip through his grasp and give the French champions the win.

“It was a difficult game, they’re a team that plays well with the ball,” Mendes told Canal Plus.

“I was surprised (by the goal). The goalkeeper was there and it got through.”