Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan: Inzaghi’s Tactics Stifle Hosts in Champions League Opener

In their first UEFA Champions League match this season, Manchester City was unable to break a solid Inter Milan and the match ended 0-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The match was a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final where Inzaghi’s men recorded a solid display of defensive football to deny Premier League champions managed by Pep Guardiola any clear-cut chances in a rather tense match.

From the outset, it was clear that Inter had a plan: hold the deep line, counter quickly, and prevent City from playing at their preferred tempo. That strategy was well applied by the Serie A champions In the first sixty minutes, the team often looked to counter. Thuram, Darmian, and Mkhitaryan were able to penetrate City’s defense but none of them was able to score.

On the other hand, City was unable to penetrate the well-organized Inter defense. Erling Haaland, who was eager to get to his century mark for the club, had no service and was effectively shut down by Inter’s defense. The hosts only started to mount serious attacks from the second half with Foden and Gundogan coming near to scoring the much-needed equalizer. Foden tried his luck from distance and Sommer had to dive to parry the ball away while Gundogan’s shot went a mere inch away from the post in the dying minutes of the game.

The hosts suffered another setback when playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was replaced by an injury in the first half, which made it even more difficult for Guardiola before the match against Arsenal in the English Premier League. Even with the pressure piling on at the end of the match, City could not breach Inter’s backline; the Nerazzurri put up a good fight in what was a well-executed and well-orchestrated away fixture.

For City, it was a disappointing beginning to their European adventure, but Guardiola must be relieved that his side did not lose to a team of this caliber. For Inter, Inzaghi will have much pride in the way his side fought and probably a slight feeling of regret that they could not make the most of the opportunities that came their way to pinch a 3-point victory.

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