Manchester City took a point in their opening Champions League game against Inter at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola‘s side dominated the ball as usual, but the Italian giants stood firm throughout the course of the match, restricting City to just a few good chances.
Ilkay Gundogan had two really good opportunities late on, but couldn’t convert from inside the area.
Inter threatened on the counter and in the end, it was probably a fair result.
Manchester City still have seven games to go in the new league phase of the competition, so there is zero need to panic at this stage.
Last night’s game was a bit frustrating at times, and one man who did not have the best of outings was new signing Savinho.
Pep Guardiola shares why he had to substitute Savinho for Man City v Inter
Savinho has had a decent level of involvement so far this season for City following his £33 million transfer from Troyes.
The star has benefitted from the injury to Oscar Bobb, and has started four of City’s five games so far this term.
But last night, he was hooked at half-time, which is the second time that has happened so far this term. In the opening game though, Savinho was forced off with an injury.
But this time it was tactical, with Pep explaining after last night’s game why he took him off for Phil Foden.
He said on TNT Sports: “Players in the small spaces had the ability to turn, to control, turn and attack the back five. So that was the target, so Phil, Gundo and Rico they move really really well in the small spaces.
“When the team defends so so deep, they punish us in the transitions but we don’t have legs to compete against them. These three players are really good moving in small spaces. They try to get the ball, turn, attack, shoot, assist. That’s the reason why.”
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Savinho may have been a bit disappointed to come off at half-time against Inter.
But Pep clearly made the decision to try and gain an advantage tactically, and seemingly he was wary of Inter on the transition.
Savinho was also wasteful on the ball and did not offer a great deal in the final third and could not really complain about being hooked.
City fans have seen glimpses of his talents and he will no doubt have much better nights.
