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Manchester City’s Champions League campaign opened in frustrating fashion as they were held to a draw by impressive Inter Milan at Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side were never at their most fluent, not helped by an injury to Kevin de Bruyne that forced him off at half-time – the City boss says he will have to speak to the club’s doctors to find out the extent of the injury.
But City’s Italian opponents were well worth their draw.
In a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final won by City in Istanbul, Inter showed superb organization and attacking threat despite facing increased pressure in the second half.
Erling Haaland, seeking his 100th goal for the hosts, was largely kept quiet, and both sides had chances to make the breakthrough but were unable to capitalize.
Phil Foden, on as a second-half substitute for the injured De Bruyne, saw a shot saved by Inter keeper Yann Sommer, who also thwarted Josko Gvardiol.
Inter wasted many good situations, with former Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian choosing a flamboyant backheel when the shot was on, while another one-time Old Trafford star, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, fired over the top from close range, leaving coach Simone Inzaghi on his knees beating the turf in frustration.
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But City went close to a dramatic late winner as Foden fired straight at Sommer after a delightful move and Ilkay Gundogan had two headed chances in the box.
“We faced a really difficult team,” said Guardiola, whose side failed to score in a Champions League match for the first time since October 2022.
“I’m still really, really satisfied for the game we played, especially with how [Inter] defended, they are masters of that, so big, they help each other unbelievably. So you cannot expect to create a lot of chances.”
credit: graphic.com.gh
