Manchester, UK: Manchester City's quest to reconquer the Champions League began with a whimper on Wednesday as Inter Milan held out for a 0-0 draw at the Etihad. One of the selling points of the new expanded Champions League format was to bring together the continent's elite teams more often before the knockout stage. A repeat of the 2023 final, won 1-0 by City, did little to set the pulses racing, but Inter will feel they should have inflicted a first home defeat in Europe in six years for Pep Guardiola's men.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed over the best chance of the match 15 minutes from time. City have started the defence of their Premier League title in relentless fashion with four consecutive wins but failed to hit their stride as Inter comfortably held out. Rodri, who scored the winning goal when the sides met in Istanbul 15 months ago, was restored to the City starting line-up for the first time this season after his exertions in helping Spain to win Euro 2024.
Despite his presence, Inter were composed in possession as they often pierced the City press but were lacking in composure in the final third to take advantage. Simone Inzaghi left captain Lautaro Martinez on the bench with Mehdi Taremi and Marcus Thuram preferred up front. Thuram had the visitors' best sight of goal in the first half but sidefooted wide from the edge of the box.
At the other end, Erling Haaland was finding Inter a far harder nut to crack than he has faced in scoring nine times in four Premier Leagu.