Man City vs Inter Milan LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as hosts play out goalless draw
Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan: Pep Guardiola’s side were frustrated by their Italian visitors
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Manchester City kicked off their Champions League campaign with a home stalemate against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium in a rematch of the 2023 final.
A tight affair left the hosts frustrated and unable, ultimately, to break down a strong defensive effort from the Italian side as Ilkay Gundogan squandered two late headed chances. Until then, Inter had looked largely calm and in control as they managed to stymie Manchester City in a 0-0 draw, continuing an unbeaten start to the season for the Milan club.
There was an injury worry for Pep Guardiola, though, as Kevin de Bruyne failed to re-emerge after the interval having appeared to sustain an issue late in the first half. The Premier League champions host likely title rivals Arsenal on Sunday and could be without their captain.
Each side take a point apiece from their opening outing in this newly revamped tournament format. Each side will play an initial eight game, with the top eight in the league table automatically qualifying for the next round and a further 16 progressing to the play-off round.
Re-live all the action from the Etihad Stadium with our live blog below:
‘We must be outstanding’ says Sommer
The Inter Milan goalkeeper added: “We must put in an outstanding performance against one of the best teams in Europe. We must try to play a great game.
“A new season has started and we don’t expect gifts from the opponents. We’ll need hard work and a big heart for a big Champions League campaign. It’s our target.”
Yann Sommer on prospect of facing Erling Haaland
Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer spoke in his pre-match press conference about facing Manchester City and how he plans to deal with Erling Haaland who has been in unbelievable form so far this season.
Sommer said: “We’ll face an excellent team with a formidable striker, but City are not only Haaland. He receives passes from his team-mates and we have prepared for this game in the best way.
“I am convinced we can do well because we defend well and keep tight spaces.”
New-look Champions League shows football’s biggest problem right from the start
After such a grand build-up, the new Champions League’s opening night didn’t exactly suggest new excitement - or much unpredictability at all. Every single one of the pre-match favourites won. At least five of them, and arguably six, did so in a very comfortable manner. Bayern Munich went beyond comfort. They eviscerated Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, a result that should be very damaging for a launch night. It was worse than what came before.
Even if you argue that game at the Allianz was a mismatch that the competition itself is supposed to help in bridging, well, you only have to look at the night’s marquee fixture. Liverpool breezed past Milan in a 3-1 that could have been a 6-1. Rather than a grand restaging of previous finals between historic giants, it was merely a showcase of profound modern problems with the game’s economic framework.
The Champions League itself, of course, has been a powerful engine in creating this disparity. It’s another reason this doesn’t bode well.
New-look Champions League shows football’s biggest problem right from the start
A total lack of unpredictability now gives way to inevitability as those with just one victory are already so close to the playoffs
Manchester City vs Inter Milan prediction
Manchester City are in flying form with Erling Haaland in particular looking as hungry and dangerous as ever.
City will want to start the European campaign strongly and buoyed on by their home crowd they will have enough quality to break down a decent Inter Milan side and claim the win.
Man City 2-0 Inter Milan.
Predicted line-ups and latest odds
Here’s how we see the two teams lining up this evening:
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Stones, Lewis; Kovocic, Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Inter Milan XI: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Augusto; Darmian, Frattesi, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
It’s also no surprise that Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to win this one. Check out the latest odds below:
Man City to win 4/9
Draw 13/5
Inter Milan to win 9/2
What is the Inter Milan team news?
For Inter Milan, Davide Frattesi and Stefan de Vrij both returned from injury against Monza on Sunday and are back in contention. Nicolo Barella was on the bench so could get the nod to face City, but Tajon Buchanan remains out.
What is the Man City team news?
Pep Guardiola hopes Savinho doesn’t have a muscle injury having been brought off early against Brentford at the weekend. Phil Foden has missed three matches due to illness but has resumed training yet will probably not be available for the game.
Rodri returned in the second half against the Bees and may have a bigger role this evening while Erling Haaland is expected to start once more. Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are injured.
Is Man City vs Inter Milan on TV?
Manchester City vs Inter Milan will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also watch the match via the Discovery+ app and website.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is Man City vs Inter Milan?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 18 September at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Manchester City kick off Champions League campaign
Man City start their Champions League campaign with a home fixture against Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The competition has undergone some changes this season with a new league table replacing the group stages. A draw has been made to determine which teams play each other with Pep Guardiola’s side taking on Inter in the first of eight fixtures that also feature Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
City defeated Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final and will be hoping to do so again this evening to kick off their campaign with a win. However, Inter are unbeaten in Serie A this year having won two and drawn two of their four games.
They are in good form and have the skills and history to take the game to Man City and possibile cause an upset against the Premier League champions.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments