Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan: summary, score, goals, highlights Champions League 2024/25
2024/25 Champions League: Man City - Inter as it happened
Fulltime thoughts: Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan
Whenever Manchester City play these days, you expect them to win. And they will perhaps feel they should’ve done, given the chances they created in the final few minutes.
Ilkay Gündogan missed two clear headed opportunities in the closing stages, while Phil Foden should also have scored rather than shot at Yann Sommer.
Yet there was something off about City, with Kevin De Bruyne forced off at halftime, Bernardo Silva a shadow of his usual self and Erling Haaland barely in the game.
Inter came with a plan to defend and hit their opponents on the counterattack, which they did to especially good effect in the first half. That said, the Italians’ best chances also came in the second period, with Matteo Damian inexplicably passing up a chance to shoot, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazing over.
An entertaining game to start off the two teams’ Champions League campaigns despite no goals.
More Champions League action on Thursday
We'll wrap things up there. Be sure to come back to AS USA for more Champions League action on Thursday. There are six games on in total:
Crvena Zvezda - Benfica (12:45pm ET)
Feyenoord - Bayer Leverkusen (12:45pm ET)
Brest - Sturm Graz (3pm ET)
Atalanta - Arsenal (3pm ET)
Atlético Madrid - RB Leipzig (3pm ET)
Monaco - Barcelona (3pm ET)
We will be bringing you live text coverage of the last of them, Barça's trip to the principality to take on Monaco. See you then!
Wednesday's Champions League results
Who said the Champions League was all about the big boys? Sparta Praha and Celtic are the big winners on Wednesday, as well Borussia Dortmund, last year's finalists.
Bologna 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Sparta Praha 3-0 RB Leipzig
Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava
Club Brugge 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
Man City 0-0 Inter
PSG 1-0 Girona
Erling Haaland draws a Champions League blank
Erling Haaland has been in scintillating form in the Premier League, with nine goals in four games. Just one in his last five Champions League appearances, though. And he never really looked like scoring against Inter, especially in the second half.
When was the last time Manchester City didn't score?
It's not often Man City fail to score. The last time it happened was in another goalless draw at the Etihad against Arsenal in March. Before that, you have to go back to December, when they lost to Aston Villa.
Fulltime: Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan
No goals, but a really entertaining game! One game down, seven to go in the 'new' Champions League.
Gündogan heads over!
Another massive chance for the German! Doku finally gets a cross in, Gündogan launches himself at it but it flies over the bar!
One last attack for City coming...
Mkhitaryan has got away with one there. He gave the ball away in a really dangerous position, but is off the hook as Inter win a free-kick.
City are giving the ball to Doku at every opportunity, but he's been really well dealt with so far.
Four minutes of injury time to be played.
It's ALL City now.
Huge chance for Gündogan!
They don't get much clearer than that! Gvardiol dinks a cross into the box and Gündogan is all alone six yards out. The German heads straight at Sommer!
Chance for Foden!
Gündogan plays the ball left towards Grealish, but Foden gets in the way, turns and has a pretty clear sight of goal. He doesn't quite catch it properly, though, and Sommer dives to save.
Rodri shoots wide
City can't find a way through, so Rodri decides to have a go from long range. He hits it well, but it flies wide.
Lautaro shot saved!
An Inter break that was first half-esque! Barella plays the ball through for Martínez, although it's slightly overhit. The Argentine has to come inside Akanji and shoots from the edge of the box, but Ederson saves down low.
Inter are still intent on passing the ball out from the back at all times, despite City's pressure. I guess it's worked so far...
Inter sub
Frattesi on for Calhanoglu for the visitors.
Man City sub
Doku is on, replacing Bernardo (Pep's obviously been reading me).
Gvardiol shot saved!
A decent hit from Gvardiol from the edge of the box, but Sommer is equal to it as it flies through a crowd!
Where are you, Erling Haaland?
I'm struggling to think of Erling Haaland touching the ball in the second half, apart from once when he dropped deep to collect a pass.
Huge chance for Mkhitaryan!
What a chance for Inter! Dumfries is in acres of space on the right and crosses low for Mkhitaryan, who fires over first time at the back post!
Foden floats a free kick into the box but it's behind most of his teammates, other than Akanji, who can only flick a header well, well wide.
Inter subs
Darmian and Bissek traipse off, Dumfries and Pavard come on.
Barella has just absolutely wiped out Grealish, and I'm not sure how he's escaped a yellow card there. No idea.
Grealish shot deflected over
City are cranking things up a bit. Rodri shifts it left to Grealish, whose shot from an angle is deflected wide by Darmian.
Foden shot saved!
How has Foden not scored there?! Grealish and Gündogan combine to smuggle the ball through to the substitute, who is all alone in front of goal but shoots straight at Sommer!
Bernardo Silva has been nowhere near his best so far. He completely miskicked one in front of goal earlier and now had a chance to shoot, but opted to take a terrible touch instead. Does he have a twin brother?
Grealish tries to get round the outside of Darmian and wins a free kick for a body check. Not often you see the Englishman go down the line.
Inter subs: Lautaro Martínez on
Now, this could be interesting. Lautaro Martínez is eventually on, along with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a writer's worst nightmare.
Off go Thuram and Zielinski.
Right on cue, Akanji passes the ball straight out of play under no pressure.
A decent spell of possession for City, which hasn't happened too often so far. But they're going nowhere with it. They've offered very little threat in the second half.
Darmian gets forward into a promising position again and pulls the ball back...to a white jersey. Not for the first time...
I'm definitely starting to get a bit nervous for Inter watching them pass out from Sommer and through the defence.
Calhanoglu shoots wide
The ball drops to Calhanoglu 25 yards out. His eyes light up but he slices well wide of Ederson's goal.
Remember I told you Inter had taken a huge risk playing it out from the back? Well, they're just done it again and have been really, really lucky. They gift the ball to Foden inside their own box, but the City man's shot is blocked and Grealish miscues the rebound on the volley.
Huge chance for Inter!
HUUUUUGE! Taremi does brilliantly to drive forward and play Darmian clean through on goal. He has the chance to shoot but chooses not to, instead playing a 'clever' backheel straight to a white jersey. Inzaghi is FUMING!
Of course, they can't just put it in the box. Instead, they try to work a different angle and Gündogan's cross is easily cut out.
Here's a free-kick for City in a very promising position.
Inter take a huge risk as they play out from the back...but it's less of a risk when you're passing it to someone as good as Calhanoglu under pressure.
Foden shoots just over!
Foden wastes no time in (almost) making an impact! He picks the ball up 25 yards out and pings one just over the bar!
De Bruyne off for City
Kevin De Bruyne, who was hobbling a bit at the end of the first half, is one of two City players off, along with Savinho. Phil Foden and Ilkay Gündogan are not bad replacements, it has to be said...
Second half underway in Manchester!
Inter get us going again (news on the changes incoming)...
The teams are back out and there are two interesting changes...
Follow PSG-Girona and Brugge-Dortmund
As well as Manchester City - Inter Milan, where the real action is at, of course, you can also keep up with the games in Paris and Brugge right here on AS USA.
Wednesday's Champions League live scores
If you're worried you're watching the wrong game, don't be. There's only been one goal in the four late kickoffs, scored by Celtic against Slovan Bratislava.
Celtic 1-0 Slovan Bratislava
Club Brugge 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
Man City 0-0 Inter
PSG 0-0 Girona
Manchester City not firing on all cylinders
City played the way you'd expect them to, constantly looking to work the perfect angle from which to play the final pass. Erling Haaland had a header easily saved, and trundled another shot wide from the edge of the box. A couple of dangerous passes into the box weren't converted, although Yann Sommer has barely been tested, which Pep Guardiola will be disappointed with.
Inter's counterattacking threat
Simone Inzaghi will be more than happy with his team's showing in that first half. I'd argue Inter have looked the more dangerous team going forward, although Marcus Thuram isn't having his best night in attack, it should be said. Maybe sub Lautaro Martínez could add a cutting edge in the box in the second half?
Halftime: Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan
A thoroughly enjoyable first half, I have to say. But no goals. Inter have been just as threatening as City, on the whole.
Ederson saves from Augusto!
There's Inter on the break again! Teremi runs forward and waits for the support of Augusto, whose shot from a tight angle is saved by the legs of Ederson!
One minute of injury time to be played.
De Bruyne is back on, although he's moving a little gingerly.
De Bruyne takes a knock
Uh, oh. This wouldn't be good for City. De Bruyne looks as if he's taken a little knock in that collision with Calhanoglu and Sommer, which there didn't look to be much in.
But the Italians are almost punished for a slack pass there! De Bruyne charges into the box but a combination of Calhanoglu and Sommer do just enough to stop him making it 1-0.
Inter are definitely playing for time a little bit more now with halftime approaching.
Chance for Thuram!
Inter hadn't threatened for a little while, but that was a big chance! Augusto pulls the ball back for Thuram, who scuffs his shot wide from just inside the box.
City are starting to win the ball back more and more quickly. Which feels ominous for Inter.
Bernardo miskick!
It looked all set to be 1-0 there! De Bruyne picks out Bernardo in the box but the midfielder misses his kick just a few yards from goal. Haaland isn't expecting it and ends up fouling Bastoni, who clears.
Haaland goes close!
Not your typical Haaland chance, but almost the typical result! The striker shoots from the edge of the box and doesn't catch it cleanly, although it bobbles just wide of the post.
Savinho gets round the outside on the right and fires a low cross into the box, which Acerbi does really well to get away.
Rúben Dias yellow card
Oh, my. That was SENSATIONAL from Zielinski. He evades two City players with a brilliant body swerve and charges up to the halfway line, where he's crudely taken out by Dias. Yellow for the City defender.
Calhanoglu floats a lovely free-kick into the box straight into the head of Thuram. The striker's header is on target but is saved by Ederson, although he was offside anyway.
Ederson almost gifts Inter a goal!
Ederson, what are you doing? The City keeper scrambles to ensure his team don't concede a corner but slides the ball out straight to Calhanoglu 30 yards out. He shoots first time but Gvardiol gets in the way a few yards from goal.
The first sign of Inter trying to slow the game down as Sommer takes an age over a free-kick.
De Bruyne hits the side netting
Grealish picks the ball up on the left and finds the run of De Bruyne, who smashes into the side netting from an impossible angle. I don't think he was trying to shoot, but you'd expect better from the Belgian maestro from there.
City are just starting to turn the screw a teeny, tiny bit here...
Oh dear...That's not pretty from Savinho. De Bruyne sticks a nice cross into the box with the outside of his boot. Haaland can't decide whether to take it on his foot or knee so just leaves it, it runs through to Savinho, who slices a volley high and wide. That still travelling up the way now.
Inter give the ball away sloppily and are almost punished! After a bit of overplaying, City eventually work the ball into the box for Bernardo, who's crowded out by Bissek just in time.
Calhanoglu shot deflected wide!
Inter are looking good here. Calhanoglu tries his luck from long range this time and it deflects wide off Akanji. That could've gone anywhere off the City defender.
Haaland header saved!
The first sight of goal for Haaland! Nothing fancy about it, but almost as effective as can be. Savinho crosses from the right, Haaland gets his head to it but it's straight at Sommer.
Calhanoglu fires wide!
Inter have been the more dangerous of the teams so far! Another counter sees Thuram and Taremi link up nicely. The duo eventually tee up a shooting chance for Calhanoglu, who slices well wide. He's the man they would've wanted on the end of it too!
Thuram shoots wide
The less said about the final shot the better, but it's another promising break from the Italians. Thuram peels off to the right and has plenty of space to move forward, but drags his effort horribly.
Grealish tries to thread the eye of the needle for Bernardo and it's another crucial interception from Bastoni as the Portuguese looms in the box.
Haaland has been on fire so far this season, but not there. He gets the ball inside Inter territory, has a number of options in support of him in attack but takes far too long to decide what to do and Zielinski picks his pocket.
Another promising Inter break, another offside call stops them in their tracks. They're getting players into dangerous positions (if illegal ones), so far.
A counterattacking chance for City, this time, led by De Bruyne. It's the man you'd want to lead it and he's got Haaland up in support, which you'd also want. But the pair aren't on the same wavelength on this occasion, as Inter live to tell the tale.
Calhanoglu whips in a really dangerous cross but Dias gets his big head on itand clears the danger for City.
City dominated the first three or four minutes, but Inter look to have settled into this nicely.
Savinho jinks his way past Augusto, with a little bit of luck, but his cross goes straight into the arms of Ederson.
Another brilliant counterattacking chance for Inter, this time ruined by Thuram being offside, when he really shouldn't have have been. They had committed players forward, too, that was a chance!
Thuram shot saved!
It's been all City so far, but the first effort on goal comes from Inter! A fine counterattack ends with Thuram shooting straight at Ederson from just inside the box.
Bastoni thwarts Haaland!
That looked as if it was going to be the first chance for the big man! Grealish gets some space in the box, spins and fizzes the ball across goal. Haaland's eyes light up, but Bastoni pokes it away from him a few yards from goal.
That's a brilliant tackle from Augusto! Savinho almost gets in behind the Inter man, who scoops the ball away from the winger at the crucial moment!
Early possession for City, as you'd imagine. Not going anywhere so far.
First half underway in Manchester!
Manchester City get us going! And play the ball right back to goalkeeper Ederson, as tends to be the case these days...
Ready? Let's go!
Wednesday's Champions League results
Before we get going in Manchester, I've got two results to bring you from Wednesday's early games!
Bologna 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Sparta Praha 3-0 RB Salzburg
Champions League anthem time!
And in case you're listening and thinking it sounds a little different to how it used to, you're spot on. There have been a few minor changes, and not everybody's pleased!
Inter Milan team to play Manchester City
The big news for Inter, is that there's no Lautaro Martínez, only on the bench.
Sommer; Bissek, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinksi, Augusto; Taremi, Thuram.
Manchester City team to play Inter Milan
Only a few minutes until kickoff! In case you missed it earlier, this is how Manchester City line up for tonight's game.
Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo; De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish; Haaland.
Phil Foden is on the bench, still lacking match sharpness.
Glenn Nyberg is the man in the middle for the game in Manchester. He’ll probably be hoping you don’t remember his name tomorrow, because if you do, he’ll have had a howler. Here’s Will with the lowdown on the Swedish referee.
MATTHEW CHILDS / AFP
Manchester City - Inter Milan: previous meetings
Incredibly enough, Manchester City and Inter Milan have only met once before in a competitive fixture. You’ll probably remember it, even if it wasn’t the most memorable game (if that makes sense).
It was, of course, the game Simone Inzaghi was referencing in those quotes below - the 2022/23 Champions League final. Inter were somewhat surprise finalists but were arguably the better team in Istanbul. City didn't hit the heights we know they can, but Rodri's strike midway through the second half was enough to give the English side their first ever UCL victory.
Inzaghi not after UCL final "redemption"
We cannot wait. This won't be a rematch of that [2023] final; that was another story. It will be our first game in the league phase and we want to do our best. We know they are tough opponents – one of the best in the world. We need to play well in both phases [attack and defence], trying to help each other out. They have very skilful players.
We are aware this isn't redemption time. I have no regrets after the final in Istanbul – the lads gave all they had. Of course we were heartbroken, but it was single episodes that determined the result, as often happens in football.
Pep Guardiola: "Anything can happen" in the Champions League
It’s not about inspiration or emotion – I am so cold on that. The players have to know what they have to do. They have to adjust something. The way [Inter] attack is so difficult to control. It’s the first game of an eight-game group stage. We know what we have to do.
We [look to] win our first game and then the second one and see what happens. In the last games, [we will] take a look. Like in the Premier League, we will look at the table in the future. We have to try to win our games at home; otherwise, anything can happen.
Still looking for a way to watch today's game in Manchester? Fear not, we have you covered! If you're in the United States, then there is a way, and our Andy is here with the details.
You can also watch a Man City vs Inter live stream on Paramount+
Inter Milan: last five games
Genoa 2-2 Inter (Serie A)
Inter 4-0 Atalanta (Serie A)
Inter 2-0 Lecce (Serie A)
Genoa 2-2 Inter (Serie A)
Chelsea 1-1 Inter (friendly)
Inter's unbeaten Serie A start
Inter Milan’s start to the new Serie A season hasn’t been quite as impressive, although they are still unbeaten themselves. They’ve won two (Lecce, Atalanta) and drawn two (Genoa, Monza) of their opening four league fixtures, which leaves them in third place, two points behind surprise leaders Udinese and one adrift of Napoli.
Manchester City: last five games
Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United (Community Shield, City won on penalties)
Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich (Premier League)
West Ham 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 2-1 Brentford (Premier League)
Manchester City's blistering start to the 2024/25 Premier League season
Well, it’s pretty much been as expected, hasn’t it? Pep Guardiola’s side have only played four Premier League games, but they’re already two points clear at the top. They have a perfect record so far, with wins over Chelsea (2-0), Ipswich (4-1), West Ham (3-1) and Brentford (2-1). Catch them if you can.
Thought Manchester City played in (sky) blue? Well, they do, but not tonight. To mark the 30th anniversary of their release of their debut album, "Definitely Maybe," City superfans Oasis have designed a special shirt which the team are wearing tonight. It was all Noel Gallagher's work, in fact, and he has also decided on the funky font being used on the back of the jersey,
Inside the Manchester City dressing room
Fancy a little peek inside the Manchester City dressing room? Go on, you know you want to. Hold on a second, though, a few things look a little bit off here...
Team news: Inter Milan
Inter have headed along to the Etihad without three players, all injured. Veteran attacker Marko Arnautović is out due to illness, Canadian winger Talon Buchanan is, like Oscar Bobb, dealing with a leg fracture, while left wing-back Federico Dimarco has been ruled out with a thigh muscle issue.
Wondering why are on earth Inter Milan are starting perhaps their toughest away game of the season without their best player and captain? Well, there were suggestions in the Italian press that Lautaro Martínez might not be selected to start by head coach Simone Inzaghi. Here's why.
Inter Milan team to play Manchester City: no Lautaro Martínez
It was rumoured to be happening, and it's happened! No Lautaro Martínez for the visitors, although he is on the bench:
Sommer; Bissek, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinksi, Augusto; Taremi, Thuram.
One man who is playing and starting, of course, is Erling Haaland, who's in red-hot form. The big striker has scored nine goals in four Premier League games this season (it doesn't even sound that ridiculous anymore, does it?), although he has had a bit of a dip in form - by his own silly standards - in the Champions League of late. That said, his scoring rate in the UCL is still unbelievable.
Erling Haaland's Champions League goals
Team news: Manchester City
For today’s game at the Etihad, Manchester City are without defender Nathan Aké, who is expected to be out for a month with a thigh injury sustained on international duty with the Netherlands. Youngster Oscar Bobb is also sidelined after suffering a leg fracture in mid-August.
Fellow winger Savinho, as we've seen, is available despite suffering cramp in the closing stages of Saturday’s win over Brentford. Phil Foden is on the bench again as he builds up his fitness. He's played for just 45 minutes in City’s first Premier League game against Chelsea.
Manchester City team to play Inter Milan
I was just about to run you through the Manchester City team news, and they're hit us with their lineup!
Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo; De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish; Haaland
Savinho is fit to play after a fitness scare against Brentford on Saturday.
Wait, what? There are also Champions League games on Thursdays now? What’s going on there? Well, yes, there are, but only this week. Six matches will be played tomorrow (September 19), which are:
Crvena Zvezda - Benfica
Feyenoord - Bayer Leverkusen
Brest - Sturm Graz
Atalanta - Arsenal
Atlético Madrid - RB Leipzig
Monaco - Barcelona
Wondering why there are Thursday Champions League games? Wonder no more.
2024/25 Champions League latest scores
As I mentioned there, there are a couple of games that are already underway. As it stands, Bolonga against Shakhtar Donetsk is goalless at halftime in Italy, while Sparta Praha are 2-0 up on RB Salzburg in Czechia. I'll let you know how those finish a bit later.
Wednesday’s Champions League fixtures
Bologna - Shakhtar Donetsk (12:45pm ET kickoff, in progress)
Sparta Praha - RB Salzburg (12:45pm ET kickoff, in progress)
PSG - Girona (3pm ET kickoff)
Club Brugge - Borussia Dortmund (3pm ET kickoff)
Celtic - Slovan Bratislava (3pm ET kickoff)
Manchester City - Inter Milan (3pm ET kickoff)
USMNT stars on target in Champions League opening fixtures
Have two Americans ever scored on the same day in the Champions League? I can tell you the answer is yes, they have, but only because it happened for the very first time yesterday!
Weston McKennie was first to do so for Juventus in their 3-1 win over PSV, who fielded his compatriots Malik Tillman, Richard Ledesma and Ricardo Pepi. Then it was the turn of Christian Pulisic, who fired AC Milan ahead at home to Liverpool. It didn’t end well for the Italians, though, as the Anfield side came from behind to win 3-1.
Harry Kane hits four in Bayern Munich romp
I can’t not say anything about that huge 9-2 win for Bayern Munich against Dinamo Zagreb, which is actually not the biggest ever victory in the Champions League. Liverpool and Real Madrid have recorded eight-goal triumphs against Besiktas and Malmo respectively (both 8-0), although the Germans have become the first team to score nine times in the competition (since it was rebranded in 1992).
Harry Kane scored four of the nine, three of which were penalties (Harry Kanelty, anyone…?). Here’s how Tuesday’s other games went down in more detail.
The opening night of Champions League action saw victories for Liverpool, Juventus, Bayern Munich (more on that in a second) and Real Madrid. The LaLiga giants weren’t exactly impressive at home to Bundesliga side Stuttgart, pegged back midway through the second half after Kylian Mbappé had given them a somewhat fortunate lead. But they eventually got the job done despite being below-par, which is Real Madrid all over. Check out Will's report from the game at the Bernabéu:
Tuesday's Champions League results
Wednesday's games are, of course, the second set of Matchday 1 fixtures. Here's what went down on the opening night on Tuesday:
Juventus 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
Young Boys 0-3 Aston Villa
Real Madrid 3-1 Stuttgart
Bayern Munich 9 (yes, NINE)-2 Dinamo Zagreb
Sporting CP 2-0 Lille
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool
I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, there’s a very good chance you’ll know the UEFA Champions League is using a new format for the very first time in 2024/25. But as this is the first week, you might not be overly familiar with what that actually means.
There are more teams and more games. The group stage has gone, replaced by the league phase. There’s an extra knockout round, and even a new anthem (kind of). Here’s the full explanation for you to get your teeth into before kickoff.
What time does Manchester City against Inter Milan kick off?
The game between Manchester City and Inter Milan gets underway at 9pm local time, which is 3pm ET. That means there is around 90 minutes to go until kickoff, in which time I’ll be bringing your teams, build-up, stats, trips down memory lane…and plenty more! Don’t go anywhere!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Manchester City - Inter Milan!
Hello and welcome to AS USA’s full live text coverage of Manchester City - Inter Milan in the Champions League in a repeat of the 2023/24 final, won by Pep Guardiola’s side.
This, of course, is the first week of the new-look UCL, with the group stage replaced by a 36-team 'league phase'. If you’re wondering what on earth I’m taking about, fear not, all will be explained shortly!
I’m Roddy Cons and I'll be bringing you all the latest news and updates from the City of Manchester Stadium (to UEFA, the Etihad, to most of us). Off we go...