Manchester City began the new Champions League league with a 0-0 draw at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday, on what proved to be a frustrating night.
When Uefa pitched their idea of the competition’s new format, the idea was more big jeopardy, more entertainment and more blockbuster meetings between Europe’s top sides. This encounter lacked all of that for long spells - in truth, neither team overexerted themselves in their efforts to find a winner until the latter stages.
Inter set up in a low block that limited City to one shot on target until the 70th minute - that came via an Erling Haaland header, which lacked the pace or placement to test Yann Sommer in the away goal. Meanwhile, Inter enjoyed the better chances in the opening half with Ederson saving from Marcus Thuram and Carlos Augusto, with the Italian champions carried a repeated threat on the break.
That eased after the break, although ex-Manchester United man Henrikh Mkhitaryan did fire over in the 76th minute, although it was the hosts who pushed hardest for that late decisive goal.
But 16 months on from that memorable night in Istanbul, Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t find a repeat of Rodri’s winner. Ilkay Gundogan went closest when he headed right at Sommer in the 89th minute - a chance he should have buried. He had an even later header in a frantic end that saw the Inter goal peppered with shots.
Phil Foden twice tested Sommer and Josko Gvardiol also forced the Swiss stopper into a parry. But in the end the Italian champions came away with a point they will feel their well-organised defending deserved. Here’s how we rated the City players...
9. Kevin De Bruyne- 7 (off HT)
Habitually floated out wide and put in several dangerous crosses. City's no.17 picked up a knock at the end of the first half and was replaced at the break.
10. Savinho- 7 (off HT)
Was dangerous coming inside and saw a decent effort blocked in the early stages. Savinho was replaced at half-time, presumably due to the same injury issue that has impacted his start to life at City.
11. Erling Haaland- 5
Ended his recent scoring run and couldn't grab his 100th City goal on Wednesday. He went close with an early header and failed to connect with Grealish's early cross to the front post.
12. Jack Grealish- 8
Linked well with De Bruyne down the left and played some incisive passes into the final third. Grealish went carried the biggest threat late on and went close with several second-half shots, most of which were blocked. He also won repeated free-kicks in the attacking areas.