AS an advert for the monster new Champions League group stage, this will hardly have got the whole of Europe rushing off to buy new TV subscriptions. A clash between the champions of England and Italy, and a repeat of the 2023 final, which was lacking in context or jeopardy or goals. 9 Manchester City were frustrated by a stubborn Inter side Credit: Getty 9 Phil Foden missed a rare opportunity to win the match in the second half Credit: Reuters 9 Pep Guardiola had no answers for Inter's low block Credit: PA 9 Inter defended well throughout and were worthy of their draw Credit: Rex 9 Kevin De Bruyne was taken off due to an injury scare Credit: PA City were off-colour - and not just because of the bizarre design of a kit designed by Noel Gallagher in the shade of straw - and Inter were impressive, menacing on the break and unlucky not to win.
But what did it really all mean, with seven matches still to play in this monumental league table and with 24 of the 32 teams progressing beyond it? These matches all feel like filler for the TV schedules. Content without enough meaning. Football to shrug your shoulders at.
It wasn’t a bad match. Inter were excellent in keeping Erling Haaland at bay after the Norewgian’s recent onion-bag orgy, which had seen him harvest nine goals from four Premier League matches. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL KEVIN CONCERNS Hobbling De Bruyne hooked sparking fitness fears for City vs Arsenal Their counter-attacks were rapid and intelligent and they gave City .