Manchester City endured a difficult start to their Champions League campaign against Inter on Wednesday night as they were held on for a goalless draw.
In a match that played out eerily similar to the 2023 final, it was a cagey, tactical affair in which Manchester City were fortunate not to concede. This time, though, a winner could not be found.
The visiting Inter implemented their game plan perfectly, as they kept the pitch narrow before launching counter after counter with blistering pace, overwhelming City’s defence.
Despite getting into several fantastic positions, they were unable to capitalise on any of them as Pep Guardiola’s side failed to get anywhere close to their normal rhythm, even if they fashioned a couple of chances.
The new-look Champions League has had its critics but City will at least be thankful they won’t have to play Inter again in the first phase.
Here’s how the players fared on a tough night.
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Ederson – 7
Ederson had one of his ‘dodgy’ halves in possession in which it felt like every kick he had went straight to an opponent in the opening 45 and he was especially lucky Gvardiol was on hand to save his hind after wandering out of goal.
Yet, he still made several important saves throughout the night as Inter broke through time and again.
Rico Lewis – 6
Rico Lewis looked much more comfortable on the ball – with some particularly great passes late on – back on his favoured right side but did have a difficult evening, with Inter’s fast and strong forwards often peeling to his side where they had a physical advantage.
He competed well but a lot of attacks came down his flank.
Manuel Akanji – 6
Missed a few chances to play incisive passes down the right when Savinho was in good attacking positions, with his passing in general a bit sloppy at times. But did well to hold the defence together when faced with dangerous threats.
Ruben Dias – 5
The whole City side struggled to cope with the breaking Inter, with the Italian’s three-man attack constantly out-numbering and over-running the City backline, but it was Ruben Dias who struggled the most.
The Portuguese is never comfortable on the turn and was given the run around by Marcus Thuram’s clever movement.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Josko Gvardiol had to position himself perfectly to head clear a goal-bound shot after Ederson had wandered out of his net. Contrastly, he was then let off the hook for poor positioning when Mateo Darmian opted to back-heel the ball rather than shoot when clean through on goal.
In general, the Croatian worked very hard up and down the flank on a night when he repeatedly had to sprint full pelt backwards to put out dangerous counters. He found Gundogan with a perfect cross that should have resulted in a goal, too.
Rodri – 6
After a strong first appearance on Saturday, you’d expect Rodri to come in and pick up where he left off on his first start but that wasn’t the case.
The Spaniard looked rusty in the first half – understandably so, against such a good side -, overwhelmed by the pacey counterattacks and gave the ball away far more than you’d usually expect, that being once.
However, he grew into things after the interval, finding his tempo on the ball and throwing his body about with strong challenges and intense pressure.
Savinho – 4
Good movement out on the flank but Savinho was wasteful when the ball did come his way, skying one chance high and wide of the goal. Was hooked at half-time in favour of Phil Foden.
Bernardo Silva – 4
It’s not often you forget that Bernardo Silva is on the pitch but this might have been his most anonymous performance in a City shirt ever. It was surprising to see he was still on the field when he went off in the 79th minute.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
Once again, Kevin De Bruyne was City’s driving force up the pitch. The Belgian was on a one-man-mission at points to carry the ball forward but couldn’t quite get his radar right to find Haaland.
He picked up a knock towards the end of the first half and was taken off at the break, hopefully just as a precaution.
Jack Grealish – 7
Another promising display for Jack Grealish as his renaissance continues apace. The winger created four chances in the opening 45 and remained influential in the second. He crafted a wonderful move with Gundogan and Gvardiol which Foden should have done better with and had a couple of sights at goal himself. It said a lot that he wasn’t the one taken off as City looked for a goal.
Erling Haaland – 5
Erling Haaland went close with one shot from distance and should have done a lot better with a header in the first half before not getting a single sniff in the second 45.
Substitutes
Phil Foden – 6
Coming on in a central position, Phil Foden immediately upped the impetuous by going close with an effort from 25 yards. He was slick on the ball but should have been more composed when presented with a couple of good chances towards the end.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Began to look like the Ilkay Gundogan who lifted the treble with City from the 70th minute as he started to get on the ball in tight spaces and play some smart passes to create some flowing moves. At his best in an advanced position with Rodri behind him. He had a free header to win the game six yards out but directed it right at the goalkeeper and then missed another with a diving effort in the final seconds.
Jeremy Doku – 6
Brought some much-needed action on the flanks, with his directness making City look much more dangerous.
