Naema Tandao 
Florence Simiyu
In a surprising twist, Inter Milan escaped the Etihpad Stadium with a 0-0 draw against Manchester City in their Champions League clash on Wednesday night. This result served as a small measure of revenge for Inter, who lost narrowly to City in the 2023 final.
Both teams had their moments but ultimately failed to find the back of the net in a match that showcased a relentless pace and intensity.The match was characterized by a flurry of missed opportunities from both sides. City struggled to penetrate Inter’s formidable defense, which was organized and disciplined throughout the game.
On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter was dangerous on the counter-attack but lacked precision in their finishing, leaving both teams with a sense of frustration despite the thrilling nature of the encounter.Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for Inter’s defensive performance post-match.
“We faced a really difficult team,” he remarked, noting the challenges his players encountered in breaking through Inter’s ranks. “They are masters of defense, and you cannot expect to create a lot of chances against them.” His respect for the Italian side was evident, reflecting the tactical battle that unfolded on the pitch.
Simone Inzaghi was equally pleased with his team’s efforts, commending their performance against a formidable opponent. “I said ‘well done guys’,” he stated, acknowledging the effort put in by his squad. He emphasized the need for a strong performance against a team like City, and they delivered just that, executing the game plan effectively.
City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, was on the cusp of a historic milestone, aiming to become the fastest player to score 100 goals for a European club. However, he was unable to capitalize on key opportunities, including a header saved brilliantly by Inter’s Yann Sommer and a low shot that rolled just wide of the post.
Despite his outstanding form, with nine goals in four Premier League matches this season, Haaland left the pitch frustrated.Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan also had a golden opportunity late in the game but shot over the bar from close range, eliciting gasps from fans. Meanwhile, City’s Ilkay Gundogan faced similar disappointment, missing two crucial headers in the dying moments that could have sealed the victory.
His inability to convert those chances was met with groans from the City faithful, highlighting the pressure both teams felt in front of goal.City dominated the statistics with 22 shots to Inter’s 13 but only managed to register one more shot on target, with five overall. Ruben Dias, a key defender for City, reflected on the match, stating, “A very intense game against a very strong opponent.”
His acknowledgment of Inter’s quality underscored the competitive nature of the fixture.Looking ahead, Guardiola noted the importance of the remaining matches in the new Champions League format, where teams will play eight matches against different opponents. “We prefer to win, but we have seven games left to advance,” he said, focusing on the road ahead despite the draw. City currently sit atop the Premier League table with a perfect record after four matches, while Inter holds the third position in Serie A.
One concerning moment for City was the potential injury to captain Kevin De Bruyne, who left the pitch with a knock late in the first half and did not return. Guardiola mentioned he had yet to speak with the medical team about De Bruyne’s condition, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming match against Arsenal, who are closely trailing them in the league standings.
As City prepares for another tough battle against Arsenal, they will aim to bounce back and maintain their winning momentum. The goalless draw against Inter may serve as a wake-up call, but the champions remain confident in their ability to reclaim dominance in both domestic and European competitions.
