Man City 0-0 Inter Milan PLAYER RATINGS: Which superstar had a night to forget? Who was almost flawless at the back? And how did Jack Grealish get on?
Manchester City played to a 0-0 draw against a determined Internazionale at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Pep Guardiola’s team achieved the European Cup the last time the two teams met was only 15 months ago. And the performance of the Italian champions showed that their achievement in Istanbul was not a one-off.
Just as in June last year, Simone Inzaghi’s team were City’s equals, but they missed a number of promising attacks through indecisiveness, poor finishing or bad luck.
Former Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasted the visitors’ best chance when he missed from close range, while Ilkay Gundogan missed two late headers.
Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan was at the Etihad Stadium to assess the players in their first Champions League clash of the season.
Ilkay Gundogan wasted two late chances for Manchester City to claim victory against Inter
Former Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired over the bar from close range
Simone Inzaghi’s (left) cunning tactical approach left Pep Guardiola (right) and his team frustrated
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Ederson-6
A few nervous moments and Pep Guardiola seemed angry at the keeper who gave the ball away unnecessarily, but he did make some good saves.
Manuel Akanji – 8
Nearly flawless despite some disturbingly fast breaks. Plays at his own pace and the game seems to slow down when he gets going.
Ruben Dias-7
The visitors endured a fair test from Inter’s attacking line in the first half but looked the most likely to take the lead.
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
A couple of nice interceptions helped City lose the ball. Sharp in choosing options when roaming forward. Later struggled with his defensive positioning.
Rico Lewis – 6.5
Busy without producing those flashy moments to prove the difference against stubborn opponents. Quick to recycle possession in his hybrid role.
Manuel Akanji remained calm despite Inter Milan’s several rapid attacks throughout the match
Rodri made his first start of the season after being given an extended break after Euro 2024
Jack Grealish enjoyed another largely positive evening for the home side, making things happen down the left
Rodri – 6.5
A first start to the season for Rodri, who grew into the game and became more reliable as he got older. Take the time to see his very best again.
Savinho-6
Shame I was caught out at half time when Guardiola rearranged his pack. Dangerous from the right, although he missed a great final ball.
Bernardo Silva-6
Barely wasted a pass all night, whether in the middle or down the right flank, but never really coming to life – which sums up City’s night.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5
A night to forget for De Bruyne. The playmaker couldn’t get going and seemed blasé. Seemed to get a blow and went off at half-time.
Jack Grealish-7
Another largely positive performance from Grealish, who made things happen down the left in a way that others didn’t. Driving particularly strongly towards his man.
Erling Haaland – 6
Lacking support and surrounded by the best man-to-man defenders, Haaland’s rapid run failed to produce the 100th City goal many expected.
Kevin De Bruyne had a night to forget as the City captain played absolutely nothing in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch
Erling Haaland will have to wait for his 100th goal for City after struggling to make an impact
Subtitles
Phil Foden (for Savinho, 46) – 7
Ilkay Gündogan (for De Bruyne, 46) – 7
Jeremy Doku (for Silva, 80)
Manager: Pep Guardiola – 6
The suited coach looked frustrated on the touchline as City failed to create any chances.
INTER MILAN (3-5-2)
Yann Zomer – 7
For Sommer, who normally struggles against City, it’s not such a great performance until he makes two great saves in the second half, first from Foden and then from Gvardiol.
Matteo Darmian – 7
Asked to look after Grealish but also put pressure on Gvardiol. Dealt with what was thrown at him; almost took advantage of a mistake from Ederson.
Yann Bisseck – 7
Doubled up on City’s left with Darmian. Bisseck’s physicality gave him the edge as City swarmed forward. Could have been more accurate with the ball.
Francesco Acerbi – 7.5
Marshalled the back five nicely, staying close to Haaland at all times. Went deeper than the others during transitions like an old-fashioned sweeper.
Francesco Acerbi led the back five well and stayed close to Erling Haaland at all times
Alessandro Bastoni did not stray too far from his defensive partner Acerbi, and by proxy Haaland
Alessandro Bastoni – 8
Didn’t stray too far from Acerbi, and by proxy Haaland. A classic defensive audacity in fending off danger from an experienced head putting his body on the line.
Carlos Augusto-7
Had to remain disciplined in his role as left-back against Savinho, but still managed to step in where possible and cause problems for the home side.
Nicolo Barella – 7.5
Simone Inzaghi’s captain was the one directing traffic for Inter and organising the rotation of their three central midfielders. Typically energetic display.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7
Was asked to play an energetic role in midfield and it always seemed like that was the area he had the best chance of making an impact for Inter.
Piotr Zielinski – 7
A daring 45-yard run from the edge of his own penalty area, taking several City defenders with him, showed what the Pole is capable of.
Mehdi Taremi – 7.5
He was brought on for Lautaro Martinez for his physical presence and Porto’s new signing fulfilled that role perfectly when Inter attempted to counter.
Nicolo Barella was the one who managed traffic for Inter and organised the rotation of their three central midfielders
Marcus Thuram was too easily caught offside and could have made better decisions with the chances he was given
Marcus Thuram-7
Always a dangerous player – he pushed Inter forward and occupied the goalposts – but he was too easily caught offside and could have made better decisions.
Subtitles
Lautaro Martinez (for Thuram, 66) – 6
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (for Zielinski, 66) – 6
Denzel Dumfries (for Darmian, 75)
Benjamin Pavard (for Bisseck, 75)
Manager: Simone Inzaghi – 8
What a triumph of coaching from Inzaghi, who was an energetic bundle in the away dugout.