Manchester Metropolis obtained off to a irritating begin within the Champions League as they have been held to a 0-0 draw by a scrappy Inter Milan.
Manchester Metropolis dominated possession, however Inter Milan created clear possibilities on the counterattack. They’d 10 pictures on purpose within the opening interval, which is collectively essentially the most targets conceded by any staff within the Champions League dwelling video games coached by Guardiola, and greater than some other Premier League recreation.
Guardiola’s aspect solely had half the probabilities – Phil Foden’s strike on his return was their finest begin, whereas Ilkay Gundogan twice squandered good headers to start out the sport – and it is arduous to inform Already at its smoothest state. Inter boss Simone Inzaghi, in the meantime, might be irritated by his aspect’s wastefulness at half-time.
The night turned much more awkward when Kevin De Bruyne was substituted at half-time after present process therapy late within the first half. His health might be a priority for followers forward of their Premier League conflict with Arsenal on Tremendous Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan misses Manchester Metropolis’s late probability with two headers
De Bruyne’s considerations about Arsenal
Guardiola was uncertain in regards to the standing of his star playmaker when requested to verify the extent of De Bruyne’s harm. “I do not know, I have never spoken to the physician but,” he advised a information convention. “I will have extra info tomorrow.”
The incident that brought on De Bruyne hassle got here late within the first half when he got here near capitalizing on a mistake from Yann Sommer however was rapidly stopped quick when he discovered himself blocked by the goalkeeper within the left nook of the six-yard field.
Guardiola’s determination to not use him within the second half could have been a precautionary measure, however with a recreation in opposition to the Gunners looming on the weekend, it is from preferrred for the Premier League champions. De Bruyne has been in good type.
Not less than Foden’s return can be a welcome one for Guardiola. He could have missed a fantastic probability along with his proper foot, however his mixture with Gundogan added some impetus to Metropolis’s second half. Anticipate him to be an element on the weekend.
Guardiola: I am actually happy
Manchester Metropolis head coach Guardiola Talking on the press convention:
“We confronted a really tough staff, the Italian champions for the final two years, [Yann] summer season and [Alessandro] Bastoni, transition, no stress on the ball, they are going to kill you.
“However I am actually proud of how we performed. We performed quite a bit higher than we did final season.” [2023 Champions League] The ultimate in opposition to them two years in the past.
Inzaghi: A fantastic efficiency
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi Talking on the press convention:
“I mentioned, ‘Effectively accomplished, guys,’ and so they put in a fantastic efficiency. I requested them to play precisely the best way they performed.
“Everyone knows Metropolis, what they’re able to, what they’ve achieved, particularly at dwelling. We knew we needed to play recreation and we did.
“We additionally created some excellent possibilities. We most likely ought to have taken benefit of them higher, however we labored nicely as a staff and after we work nicely as a staff we make it tough for any opponent.
“It is true that after a efficiency like this you go into the following recreation with a variety of confidence. However I might slightly win.”
Evaluation: Metropolis makes uncommon mistake
Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunt on the Etihad Stadium:
It is extraordinarily uncommon for Metropolis to be so expertly managed for a full 90 minutes at dwelling.
The juxtaposition of Simone Inzaghi’s more and more animated gestures of elevating her arms on the touchline with the calm and composed gamers on the pitch tells a lot of the story.
Inter Milan’s formation and system suppressed Manchester Metropolis till the final second. Gundogan’s two headers could have made the visiting staff pay the value.
22 pictures, 5 on track, 3 “nice possibilities”, xG of two.45, however no targets. “They’re defensive masters, they defend so deep and so they assist one another so nicely,” Guardiola mentioned. “I favored every little thing in regards to the staff at the moment.” All the pieces besides the rating.
Manchester Metropolis night time statistics
- Metropolis failed to attain for simply the second time in 42 Champions League dwelling video games underneath Guardiola, the opposite failure being a goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon in March 2022.
- Regardless of failing to win tonight, Metropolis prolonged their unbeaten run within the Champions League to 24 video games, only one behind Manchester United’s file set between 2007 and 2009.
- Erling Haaland may have scored his a centesimal purpose in all competitions for Manchester Metropolis on the night time, however he solely touched the ball 14 occasions, the fewest of any starter on both aspect tonight.
- Jack Goalalish created 4 possibilities tonight – the Manchester Metropolis winger has created extra possibilities within the Champions League than some other participant (55) for the reason that begin of the 2022-23 season.
- Rico Lewis is making his tenth look within the Champions League for Manchester Metropolis underneath Pep Guardiola. He’s the third teenager underneath Guardiola to play 10 or extra video games within the competitors, after Bojan (14) and Phil Foden (11).
