Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel hit out at Manchester City fans following their team’s 0-0 draw with Internazionale on Wednesday night.
In a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final, City were frustrated by the Italian giants in their opening European match of the season as they failed to make a breakthrough.
And Schmeichel, who won the Champions League with United in 1999, felt the atmosphere in the stadium during the 90 minutes was not favourable to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Reflecting on the stalemate, Schmeichel told CBS Sports: “I don’t think it’s a good draw. I thought it was a very, very boring game. I’m sorry to say that. I thought Inter did a really good job of stopping Man City.
“I love good football and I love excitement from the crowd. It was dead. The Etihad was absolutely dead today. The only people we could hear were the Inter fans who were quite good. But there is no atmosphere at the Etihad today.
Peter Schmeichel hit out at the atmosphere at the Etihad after Man City’s draw with Internazionale
On a flat evening at the Etihad, Erling Haaland and Co had to settle for a goalless draw
Schmeichel found the atmosphere in the stadium ‘dead’ as Pep Guardiola’s men failed to find a breakthrough
‘Normally you would think, “Well, a big European night,” but that didn’t happen.’
Schmeichel ended his career with one season at City, but quickly showed where his loyalties lie when it came to Manchester clubs, criticising the lack of atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
Former City defender Micah Richards attempted to defend the Premier League champions when he asked Schmeichel: ‘Are you disrespecting my club?’
Schmeichel was quick to respond, telling Richards with a wink: ‘Every now and then I leave the studio and experience it (the atmosphere)’.
Richards continued to defend his old club, saying: “You should have been there on Saturday, Pete,” referring to City’s come-from-behind win over Brentford in the Premier League.
But Schmeichel refused to give in, claiming: ‘They could have left the atmosphere there on Saturday. To be honest, it was so flat.’
City return to action at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for the top spot clash with Arsenal, and they will likely need a big crowd to extend their lead to five points over their title rivals.