Man City vs Inter Milan LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as hosts play out goalless draw
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan: Pep Guardiola’s side were frustrated by their Italian visitors
Manchester City kicked off their Champions League campaign with a home stalemate against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium in a rematch of the 2023 final.
A tight affair left the hosts frustrated and unable, ultimately, to break down a strong defensive effort from the Italian side as Ilkay Gundogan squandered two late headed chances. Until then, Inter had looked largely calm and in control as they managed to stymie Manchester City in a 0-0 draw, continuing an unbeaten start to the season for the Milan club.
There was an injury worry for Pep Guardiola, though, as Kevin de Bruyne failed to re-emerge after the interval having appeared to sustain an issue late in the first half. The Premier League champions host likely title rivals Arsenal on Sunday and could be without their captain.
Each side take a point apiece from their opening outing in this newly revamped tournament format. Each side will play an initial eight game, with the top eight in the league table automatically qualifying for the next round and a further 16 progressing to the play-off round.
Re-live all the action from the Etihad Stadium with our live blog below:
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 72 minutes
Pressure is just starting to build on the visitors, who are waiting to make two more changes. Matteo Darmian blocks a Jack Grealish drive behind.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 70 minutes
Chances for Manchester City! Phil Foden should make more of his shooting chance with Yann Sommer able to keep it out a little too easily, before a driving run from Jack Grealish creates rather tougher opportunities for both Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. Just two of Manchester City’s 16 effors have now forced Sommer into a save.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 68 minutes
Jack Grealish is felled 35 yards or so out, wide on the left. Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan stand over the set piece as their centre-halves lumber up to provide targets. Foden’s cross is aimed at Erling Haaland’s head, but fails to make it to the bleach blonde bonce.
Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium fires across his latest missive: “Having held Lautaro Martinez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan back, Simone Inzaghi has sent both on. A bid for a winner or just looking for fresh legs? Either way, Inter have negotiated the first 20 minutes of the second half with few alarms. So far, they have had three times as many shots on target as City.”
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 65 minutes
A double change from Simone Inzaghi. Henrikh Mkhitaryan replaces Piotr Zielinski, and Lautaro Martinez steps in for Marcus Thuram. The Argentine striker takes the captain’s armband off Nicolo Barella.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 64 minutes
Bernardo Silva slips in an underlapping Rico Lewis, but Barella is best-placed to collect his cut-back even as three Manchester City shirts circle.
It appears Inter Milan’s first alteration is imminent.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 62 minutes
Boos from the home crowd as the referee fails to whistle for Nicolo Barella’s tackle on Ilkay Gundogan, though the Inter Milan captain lokos to have got his challenge spot on.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 59 minutes
You wonder when Simone Inzaghi might think about going to his bench, and Lautaro Martinez particularly. Mehdi Taremi and Marcus Thuram have threatened at times but the latter’s finishing has been poor.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 56 minutes
A bit of energy about the crowd, and Manchester City, now, growing restless as both sides exchange missed chances.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 54 minutes
Alessandro Bastoni gives the ball away in his own box, though makes amends by reacting well and jut out a blocking boot as Phil Foden attempts to find the corner. Jack Grealish snatches at it on the follow-up.
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, 52 minutes
A short free kick works a crossing opportunity down the right for Manchester City, but Carlos Augusto’s big left boot ensures it causes no further bother.
Wasteful! Inter Milan break with pep and purpose and Matteo Darmian simply has to shoot first time! The right wing-back arrives on to the ball and, instead, doesn’t, taking three or four touches before attempting an ill-conceived, misdirected backheel. Curious!
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