Manchester City had to settle for a 0-0 draw against a spirited Inter team, ending a frustrating start to their Champions League season.

City dominated possession, but Inter created clear chances on the counterattack. They had 10 shots on goal in the opening stages – the most they have conceded in a Champions League home game under Pep Guardiola and more than in any other Premier League game.

Guardiola’s side had only half-chances – Phil Foden’s shot on his return was their best chance before Ilkay Gundogan twice missed good headers – and they could hardly claim to be at their best. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, meanwhile, will be annoyed at his side’s wastefulness on the counterattack.

The evening was made even more awkward when Kevin De Bruyne was substituted at half-time after receiving treatment late in the first half. His fitness will be a concern for fans ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal on Super Sunday.

Worry about De Bruyne ahead of Arsenal

When asked how badly De Bruyne was injured, Guardiola was unsure about the situation of his star playmaker. “I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to the doctors yet,” he revealed at the press conference. “I will have more information tomorrow.”

The incident that apparently got De Bruyne into trouble occurred towards the end of the first half when he almost took advantage of a mistake by Yann Sommer but was tackled by the goalkeeper in the left corner of the six-yard box and stopped shortly afterwards.

Guardiola’s decision not to start him in the second half may have been a precautionary measure, but with a game against the Gunners looming this weekend, it is far from ideal for the Premier League champions. De Bruyne is in top form.

Guardiola will at least be pleased to see Foden back. He missed a good chance with his right foot, but his appearance alongside Gundogan gave City a new lease of life in the second half and he is likely to play a role at the weekend.

Guardiola: “I am really satisfied”

Manchester City Head Coach Pep Guardiola At the press conference he said:

“We played against a really difficult team that was Italian champion for the last two years. The build-up play with (Yann) Sommer and (Alessandro) Bastoni, the transition, without pressure on the ball, they kill you.”

“But I’m really happy with our performance. We played much better than we did in the final (Champions League 2023) against them two years ago.”

Inzaghi: A gigantic achievement

Inter Head Coach Simone Inzaghi At the press conference he said:

“I said, ‘Well done, boys,’ and they did a great job. I asked them to play the way they did.

“We all know Manchester City and what they are capable of and what they have achieved, especially at home. We knew we had to play a great game and that’s what we did.”

“And we created some really good chances. We probably should have taken better advantage of them, but we worked well together as a team and when we work well together as a team, we make it difficult for any opponent.

“It’s true that after a performance like that you go into the next game with a lot of confidence. But I would have preferred to win.”

Analysis: City has made a rare misfire

Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter at the Etihad Stadium:

It is extremely rare for Manchester City to be kept so well in check at home for 90 minutes.

The juxtaposition of Simone Inzaghi on the sidelines – throwing his arms in the air with increasing vigor – and his calm and composed players on the pitch said a lot about the story.

Inter were organised in a shape and system that kept City at bay until the end, when a pair of headers from Gündogan probably dealt the visitors the death blow.

22 shots, five on goal, three “big chances” and an xG of 2.45, but not a single goal. “They are masters of defense, so deep, they help each other so well,” said Guardiola. “I like everything about my team today.” Everything except the result.

Man City’s evening in statistics

• This is only the second time in 42 Champions League home games under Pep Guardiola that Manchester City have failed to score, the other time coming in a goalless draw with Sporting in March 2022.
• Even though Man City failed to win tonight, the team extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 24 games, just one behind the record set by Man Utd between 2007 and 2009.
• On a night when he could have scored his 100th goal in all competitions for Man City, Erling Haaland had just 14 touches of the ball, the fewest of any player in either side’s starting line-up tonight.
• Jack Grealish created four goalscoring opportunities tonight – since the start of the 2022/23 season, the Man City winger has created more goalscoring opportunities in the Champions League than any other player (55).
• Rico Lewis made his 10th Champions League appearance for Man City, all under Pep Guardiola. After Bojan (14) and Phil Foden (11), he is the third teenager to play 10 or more games in the competition under Guardiola.

The history of the game in statistics…

What’s coming in the Champions League?