Inter Milan frustrate impotent Manchester City

This was more of a maybe than a definitely from Manchester City. In what was their biggest game of the season so far – before an even bigger game as they host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday – they drew an extremely rare and unexpected blank.

Just as they looked invincible, there was a glimpse of vulnerability. There was also maybe – rather than definitely – a template on how to stop them. Not that many teams are as good as Inter Milan. They even made Erling Haaland look a little fallible.

A draw with Italy’s best side and possibly the best side outside of England in the Champions League this season is no crisis. But wearing their Oasis-inspired away kit, marking the 30th anniversary of the band’s City supporting Gallagher brothers first album, Definitely Maybe, they hit a few bum notes.

They looked off-colour. And that was not just because of their “light straw base colour with bold blue side panels and sleeves with subtle poppy pink detailing on their cuffs and panels” (according to the blurb) strip.

It meant that in what was City’s 40th home group game in this competition they failed to score for the first time. That was not the record that was expected to fall on this evening. Instead we had come in expectation of Haaland’s 100th goal in what was only his 104th appearance for City. If he had scored the 24-year-old would have beaten Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of being the fastest to a century of goals for a club (100 in 105 games for Real Madrid).

Now Haaland can only equal it – against Arsenal – and, in truth, he barely got a sniff to add to his extraordinary nine goals in just four league games this season against a superbly-organised Inter who sprang dangerously and should have scored themselves.

In saying that City still recorded an XG – expected goals – of 2.79 opposed to Inter’s 0.64. So, they will still feel they should have won despite not being at their thrilling best. That is how good they are.

At the final whistle Haaland’s touch-tight marker, Francesco Acerbi, asked to swap shirts with him and, apparently, cheekily said he had again stopped Haaland scoring after doing so in that Champions League Final in 2023 between the two sides that was won through Rodri’s goal. Haaland, laughing, appeared to tell him that he had hold of his shirt anyway for most of this fiercely-contested tie.

There is so much scrutiny and debate over this re-formatted Champions League, pitting “big teams” against each other even this early in the competition in a bloated group.

On this occasion, despite the lack of goals, it worked. This was a heavyweight tie, a battle of two big beasts and it would be no surprise if these teams meet each other again deep into the Champions League knock-out stages this season. No one will want to draw Inter. Or City.

The Serie A champions, and current leaders, have an impressive squad – and could afford not to start with star striker Lautaro Martinez, preferring the physicality of Marcus Thuram – and are clearly excellently coached by the impressive, wonderfully demonstrative Simone Inzaghi.

They had chances. Good chances. The best ones fell to two former Manchester United players with Matteo Darmian through on goal only to bizarrely back-heel, in search of a team-mate, rather than shoot. Then substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed wildly over when the ball fell to him in the centre of the goal. Inzaghi fell to his knees in frustration.

The greater immediate concern for City was an apparent injury to Kevin De Bruyne who pulled up late in the first-half as he attempted to score and was replaced at half-time and is evidently a doubt to face Arsenal. Pep Guardiola may, also, survey his squad and wonder if too many players have yet to hit their stride. This was Rodri’s first start and he was not his usual dominant self; Phil Foden made a first appearance after illness and looked off-the-pace and it was a tough evening for Bernardo Silva, Savinho and even De Bruyne before he departed.

Maybe that and Inter’s gameplan will give others and – in particular Arsenal – encouragement.  Arsenal, who will be without Martin Odegaard, eked out a credible goalless draw at the Etihad last season – the only other time that has happened in two and a half years in all competitions – and would probably settle for the same this weekend.

How Haaland would have loved to warm up with another goal. There was a good header, a stabbed effort blocked and a shot dragged narrowly wide. Those moments all came in the first-half. In the second he did not even get a sight of goal which has to be an issue for Guardiola who will wonder why his team did not create anything for the striker.

Instead their best chances fell to Foden, who shot weakly when well-placed after an intricate passing move and to Ilkay Gundogan, who replaced De Bruyne. Remarkably he should have scored twice in the final few minutes (hence the high XG). He sent one header straight at goalkeeper Yann Sommer from just six yards out and, with only 20 seconds to go, threw himself to direct another, from the same range, over the crossbar. If only either chance had fallen to Haaland. He would definitely – not maybe – have scored one or even both. And it would have been another story, morning glory.

Impressive Inter keep City at bay: As it happened

10:30 PM BST

Manuel Akanji tells BeIN Sports that the kit caused him a problem

10:21 PM BST

Guardiola on his team’s performance

10:18 PM BST

A rare occurrence in Champions League football

10:14 PM BST

James Ducker’s verdict from the Etihad

10:08 PM BST

Ruben Dias on City’s night

09:54 PM BST

FT: Man City 0 Inter 0

City held to a draw by an Inter team who, on this evidence, could well make a run deep into the competition. A proper arm wrestle that one with good performances on both sides, but Inter came closest to executing their game plan. Having said that, through Foden and Gundogan’s two headers City had the best chances to win it in the second half.

09:52 PM BST

94 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City so very nearly win it in the dying seconds! Lewis thought about shooting, he fed Doku wide right, and dinked a cross into the box that was met by Gundogan on the run but he could not keep the header down. Maybe Pavard flashed across his eyeline.

09:50 PM BST

93 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter are closing in on a well-earned point. Taremi concedes a foul over in the far corner, and City might have one more chance to attack.

09:48 PM BST

90 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter head the corner clear and there will be four added minutes. Foden runs into traffic, and Bastoni eases him out. Bastoni has been superb throughout.

09:47 PM BST

89 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Gundogan looked certain to score with a free header six yards out but he planted it straight at Sommer. Acerbi was caught under the ball. City have a corner now, and are slowly but surely turning up the dial.

09:44 PM BST

87 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Rodri with a wild shot wide from distance. If City fail to score tonight will we see the Definitely City shirt ever again? It might be filed alongside that Man Utd grey strip that they wore at Southampton. Half a chance for Foden, but he could not push the ball from under his feet at the edge of the area. Simple save for Sommer.

Just a word on the City kit. I keep being drawn to the No 16 on the back of Rodri’s shirt and feel like I’m hallucinating or something. It’s like it’s been drawn in the dark by a bloke with a paint brush on acid.

09:42 PM BST

85 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

How many times tonight have Inter got the weight of their final pass at the end of a counter-attack wrong? This time it was Martinez who was forced wider than he would have liked, and he could only curl his shot into the arms of Ederson. Comfortable save but City were exposed momentarily there.

09:40 PM BST

83 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter wayward in their passing for once there, with City regaining the ball high up the pitch, but Rico Lewis tried to force the ball through to Haaland and it ran for a goal kick. First signs of tiredness creeping in among the Inter players despite the changes.

09:38 PM BST

81 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Doku is on now, playing on City’s right flank, and his introduction has lifted the crowd. Sound defending from Bastoni up against him near the touchline. Inter with another change: Calhanoglu off, Frattesi on.

09:37 PM BST

79 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

A long spell of possession in the Inter half from City, but the Italians have that 5-3-2 behind the ball and it is proving an arduous task to penetrate it. It could take a shot from distance, and Josko Gvardiol caught that one cleanly but Sommer was equal to it. Still City search for the goal.

09:33 PM BST

76 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Mkhitaryan with a finish United and Arsenal fans will recognise: erratic and lacking conviction. Dumfries was running into acres of open space on the break, and his low cross found Mkhitaryan about eight yards out, under some pressure, but he blasted over.

Suffice to say Inzaghi felt Mkhitaryan should have buried that one. The television cameras may not have picked it up but as the ball flew over the bar Inter’s coach dropped to his knees and slammed both hands to the ground. What a chance

09:32 PM BST

75 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Barella hacks down Grealish but somehow escapes a yellow card. Inzaghi now making a double change in defence: Bisseck and Darmioan off, Dumfries and Pavard on. I do not think those changes make Inter any weaker.

From that free-kick won by Grealish, Foden whips an outswinger in, but Akanji glances wide.

Guardiola is about to introduce Doku.

09:30 PM BST

72 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City are starting to find the gaps around the edge of the Inter penalty area now, Rodri pulling the strings. Grealish’s shot is deflected behind for a corner which Inter head clear.

09:27 PM BST

70 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City’s best chance of the night by some distance, but Foden’s shot was straight at Sommer. Grealish involved in the build-up, and Foden had a clear sight of goal but went for power with his right foot. Needed to find a corner.

09:25 PM BST

68 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

This time Grealish is awarded the free-kick for a foul by Darmian. Inter have some high class players, but there are also finishing this game with Darmian and Mkhitaryan, long forgotten cast-offs from the Premier League. Testament to Simone Inzaghi’s coaching, because they all mesh together into a formidable unit.

09:23 PM BST

65 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Akanji with a pass straight of play, City just cannot find a way of landing so much as a glancing blow on this Inter defence. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lautaro Martinez are on for Inter, replacing Zielinski and Thuram. A positive change from Inzaghi.

Lautaro Martinez and former Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan - who was booed by the City fans - are both on. Simeone Inzaghi not happy to settle for a point.

09:19 PM BST

62 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City believe they should a free-kick for a foul on Gundogan by Barella, but the referee plays on again. City defend a long throw after Inter attacked well down their right flank.

09:17 PM BST

60 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter weaving their patterns of play again, the deep runs beyond the City defence creating the space for Taremi to receive it short. Once again though, the final pass was poor. Darmian’s aimless pull-back was picked off by Rodri. More good defending from Inter in their own half, Calhanoglu getting a foot in.

09:14 PM BST

57 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Shouts of “C’mon City, C’mon City!” from the home fans, urging their team on after what has been a fairly lacklustre effort so far. Grealish went down looking for a foul, but it looked so soft, and Gvardiol drags down Barella to stop the counter. The City defender is booked.

09:12 PM BST

55 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter have player out of some tight spots tonight, but Sommer dropped Bastoni in it there and he was robbed in his own penalty area. No angle for an unopposed shot from Foden, charged down, before Grealish slices wide.

09:11 PM BST

53 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Foden fouled and City have a free-kick in a crossing position wide right. Bernardo looks like he is going to swing it in, but takes a short one to Gundogan. Augusto clears his low cross away.

And then Inter spurn another great chance! Taremi did wonderfully to wait for his moment to play an incisive pass through to Darmian, who was flying forward on the break. It looked like he only had Ederson to beat, albeit from a tricky angle, but Darmian tried a backheel instead of shooting. It did not find an Inter player. Inzaghi furious.

09:07 PM BST

De Bruyne off

De Bruyne has been substituted. Savinho is also off, with Foden and Gundogan on. It remains to be seen whether City are erring on the side of caution with De Bruyne ahead of Arsenal on Sunday or whether the problem is likely to keep him out of the game.

09:05 PM BST

47 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Good work from Rico Lewis in midfield for City, and they have the chance to five this Inter backline a going over. Foden receives the ball in a central position, and shoots not far over from 25 yards. The crowd enjoyed that as a statement of intent.

09:03 PM BST

We’re back under way

Foden has gone central with Bernardo Silva wide right. Gundogan a like-for-like change for De Bruyne.

09:02 PM BST

City making a double sub

Foden and Gundogan are on for Savinho and De Bruyne. How bad is De Bruyne’s knock? I suspect it is precautionary.

08:59 PM BST

Rodri and City still finding their rhythm

Inter have been a threat and City are in a game here. It’s Rodri’s first start of the season and he looks rusty. He’s been caught in possession a couple of times and ran past a couple of times too. Kevin De Bruyne seemed in some discomfort at the end after seeing a shot saved by Yann Sommer.

08:49 PM BST

HT: Man City 0 Inter 0

City well short of their brilliant best, but the credit for that should go to Inter and Inzaghi, who has shown why he is considered one of the best coaches in Europe. Inter’s fluid midfield play as sliced through City at times, but they have lacked accuracy with the final ball. You sense Inter will regret not making more of their promising positions in that half. De Bruyne did go down just before half time, but it looked an impact injury and he was back on.

08:47 PM BST

45 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter with another flowing break forward, which results in an Ederson save with his feet to deny left wing-back Augusto from a right angle. Inter corner in the last piece of action before half-time...but Barella volleys over wildly after Calhanoglu teed him up.

08:44 PM BST

44 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

A rare error in possession from Inter gifts City the chance get straight at their defence, but Sommer did well to rush out and smother at the feet of De Bruyne. The goalkeeper clattered De Bruyne who stayed down, and there he looked towards the bench. Might just be a dead leg. But with Arsenal on Sunday, City will not take any chances.

08:42 PM BST

42 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Rodri sells De Bruyne short on the edge of City’s defensive third, not often you say that, and Thuram misses a clear chance to give Inter the lead. The ball was fed across the box from the left, he opened up his right foot to go for the side-foot but he sent it wide. Inter have not punished City in this half.

08:39 PM BST

39 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter playing out from their own defensive third was real composure, City have been chasing shadows at times. The only thing missing from Inter has been that more telling pass higher up the pitch. De Bruyne sees a shot blocked.

08:36 PM BST

36 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Savinho tries to inject some tempo into the game with a dribble into the box, and Acerbi did really well to hook his low cross away. City kept the pressure on, and Haaland dragged a shot just wide of the far post with Sommer rooted. The Bastoni produced another fine clearance after a dangerous De Bruyne cut-back. Bernardo Silva missed his kick.

08:34 PM BST

33 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Superb midfield play from Zielinski, a drop of the shoulder to leave Rico Lewis and Bernardo for dead. He carries the ball all the way to the City’s defence, and Dias is booked for lunging in on the Polish midfielder. Inter have been the better side so far, Inzaghi will be very satisfied. But they haven’t scored, and we have seen that film before.

08:31 PM BST

31 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

It was touch and go as to whether the ball was out for a corner, but Ederson hooked the ball straight to Darmian. With the goalkeeper out of his goal, Darmian took the shot on from an improbable position, and Gvardiol had to flick a header over the bar.

The Inter win a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position. Calhanoglu’s delivery was delicious, but Thuram strayed offside. Ederson was not to know, and made a sharp save from the header.

08:27 PM BST

27 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City enjoying a more sustained spell of pressure, with Grealish playing De Bruyne in on the overlap, but he found the side-netting with his attempted cross. Inter goalkeeper Sommer yet to get any dirt on his kit.

08:24 PM BST

24 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Better from City after Inter messed up another attempted through ball when they had runners to find. In the end, it was assured defending from Bisseck against Bernardo in the area. The Inter defender has started the game well, some eye-catching carries forward.

De Bruyne flips a ball across the box with the outside of his foot which ran all the way through to Savinho, but he sliced his shot on the volley. Could Haaland have thrown his head at it?

08:22 PM BST

22 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Acerbi was too far beyond the front post on that corner to deflect his effort at goal. Then Grealish plays a stray pass out for a throw-in. Some groans from the home fans. Inter are playing with authority and are in no hurry to just kick the ball away and back to City when they get it.

08:20 PM BST

20 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

First half-chance of the game for Haaland! It was tremendous movement in the box to dart in front of Acerbi, but his header from around 12 yards out was straight at Sommer. City’s best moment, that draws some more volume from the crowd.

Then Inter punch back, with Calhanoglu’s shot from range deflected behind for a corner.

08:19 PM BST

19 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Another promising moment for Inter, after Taremi dispossessed Rodri in the middle of the pitch. The move ends with a shot over the bar from 25 yards or so but this has ben impressive from Inter.

08:16 PM BST

17 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Inter finding it quite easy to play the ball out from the back through midfield, City are not getting their distances right in there. They are fortunate that the Italians have not been able to time a run or final pass for toffee.

City then enjoy a spell of possession in the Inter half, but the Italian side are back behind the ball.

Then they spring with a lovely counter, Barella started it with a backheel. Taremi and Thuram were two-on-two with the City centre-backs but Thuram’s shot was tame and wide.

08:13 PM BST

13 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Another Inter offside. There is space to attack behind the City defence, but they are a little too eager to gallop into it at the moment. Augusto was the player flagged. Ederson then stands with his studs on the ball to tempt Inter forward. Acerbi won the header. City thought they had forced a promising turnover through De Bruyne, but Zielinski got a foot in to nick the ball away from him.

08:11 PM BST

10 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Barella lifts a ball forward with the outside of his foot for Taremi to chase, and Inter move up the pitch. They have settled now, and look to have enough going forward to keep City honest. Bernardo Silva heads a long throw away, which is not his natural game. Just goes to show how dilligent this City team is. De Bruyne carried the ball forward on the counter, but he could not time his pass to Haaland.

08:06 PM BST

7 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Rico Lewis is playing as a full-back in name only; he is not merely inverting, but playing a completely free midfield role, popping up all over the place to try and be the extra man.

Inter with their first promising counter of the game, but Thuram’s shot from a tight angle was saves easily by Ederson.

Then Barella carries the ball into space in midfield, and Inter looked to have a four-on-three in their favour, but the butchered the attack by running offside.

08:05 PM BST

5 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

Rodri almost finds Savinho with a slide-rule pass. City moving the ball slickly from side to side, it is going to be hard work for Inter’s midfield three to shuffle across and close the gaps.

Strong defending from Bastoni to block Haaland’s effort after Grealish turned and whipped a ball across the box.

City look sharp so far, first to every ball.

08:02 PM BST

2 minutes: Man City 0 Inter 0

City look as if they are playing with a back three in possession: Akanji, Dias and Gvardiol with Rodri in front of them forming something like a diamond at the base of their team. Inter’s defence has dropped away to almost the edge of their box in the first few minutes. Lots of Man City possession in the opening exchanges.

08:01 PM BST

KICK OFF!

City get the game going in their pastel-shade, Oasis kit.

07:58 PM BST

Some boos for the Champions League anthem around the Etihad

Sounded a mix of the home and away supporters. A far cry from last night when the Villa fans cheered the music at every opportunity. That’s the enthusiasm of a new arrival for you.]

So, there’s been a brass band, drummer and choir playing Oasis songs before kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. They concluded their set, segment - call it what you will - by playing part of the Champions League anthem - only for it to be drowned out by boos from the locals. The anthem is now being played over the tannoy and it’s being jeered even more loudly.

07:50 PM BST

Something of a surprise in Inter’s selection

Lautaro Martínez starts on the bench, with Inzaghi preferring Taremi and Thuram as his front two. Possibly to have some more physical presence. But it is strange to see an Inter side without Martinez.

07:47 PM BST

Guardiola on Rodri, Haaland and Inter

07:40 PM BST

Another sight of the kit in the warm-up

07:38 PM BST

City will be wearing an Oasis-inspired ‘Definitely City’ kit tonight

A play on words on Oasis’ first album, which was released 30 years ago. City say the kit is a nod to Definitely Maybe’s cover art, although there is no sign of Burt Bacharach’s face anywhere. The pastel shades mean Inter will play in their home kit, the famous nerazzurri stripes.

Have they made a Digsy’s Dinner of it? You decide.

07:26 PM BST

A good time to be selling Oasis-City merch

07:23 PM BST

Rodri making his first start of the season

Pep Guardiola has given his midfield metronome an extended break, and he returns just in time to face the Italian champions and title rivals Arsenal this week. An interesting contrast to Arsenal, for whom Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were back for the first game of the season despite reaching the Euro 2024 final with England. Could Foden and Rodri’s extra rest tell late in the season?

07:21 PM BST

A textbook piece of Uefa-speak

“I am a friend of living in the moment,” says Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer when asked if he is dreaming of winning the Champions League this season. Put you down as a yes, then.

07:15 PM BST

Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi on the workload

07:08 PM BST

Pep Guardiola arrives at the Etihad

07:00 PM BST

And there are both teams, including Inter’s

06:46 PM BST

Man City team news

06:40 PM BST

Kit watch

Looks like the shades of blue have been considered diverse enough for Inter to avoid playing in their away kit.

06:32 PM BST

How does the new Champions League format work

In need of an explanation for how the 36-team Champions League with no group stage will work? All the details of the ‘Swiss model’, key fixtures, schedule and points projections can be found here.

06:26 PM BST

Man City kick-off Champions League campaign with 2023 final repeat

Manchester City and Inter meet again for the first time since the 2023 Champions League final, when Rodri’s goal confirmed City as Treble winners after what was actually an awkward match-up for Pep Guardiola’s team.

Rodri has been in the headlines before tonight’s game after suggesting that players could take strike action against football’s ever-expanding calendar, one element of which is the expanded Champions League.

Tonight’s game is City’s first in the new-look league phase, in which 36 teams will play eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away. The top eight teams after this league phase will be automatically through to the last 16.

That will surely be City’s target given they are, unsurprisingly, the early favourites to win the tournament. Guardiola has won multiple domestic trophies with City but just the one Champions League, so could choose to prioritise success in Europe as the season progresses.

Inter at the Etihad is the hardest of City’s four home fixtures, although they will also have to travel to PSG and Juventus.

Liverpool thoroughly dismantled AC Milan last night, but last season’s runaway Serie A winners Inter are a far stiffer examination. It has not been a particularly impressive start to their league season with draws against Genoa and Monza in their first four games, and even a 4-0 win over Atalanta was closer than the score suggests.

Erling Haaland is on 99 Manchester City goals, and should he bring up his century tonight he will have done so in just 104 games for the club.

Guardiola said: “I don’t expect him to score three, two goals every game. At the moment it is going to happen.

“I know the quality is there but I think the difference from last season is that he feels good, with no problems.”

Full team news on the way shortly.