Manchester City Struggles to Break Through Inter Milan
Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a lackluster performance, drawing 0-0 against Inter Milan on Wednesday. This match, a rematch of the 2023 final where City triumphed, saw Pep Guardiola’s team fail to find the back of the net. Despite dominating possession, they were unable to breach Inter’s sturdy defense.
The game had an early setback for City as they lost Kevin De Bruyne to an injury at halftime. Phil Foden came close to scoring but was denied by a save from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. City’s top scorer, Erling Haaland, also struggled to make an impact as he aimed to score his 100th goal for the club.
“It was a very intense game against a strong opponent,” said City defender Ruben Dias. “We knew what was coming, they are a top team, so we were not going to have an easy job.”
Inter Milan Stays Strong
Inter Milan’s defense held firm throughout the match, allowing few clear chances for City. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had the best opportunity for Inter but sent his shot over the bar 15 minutes from the end. Despite the miss, Inter walked away with a valuable point, leaving Manchester City to reflect on their lack of cutting-edge in attack.
This draw extended City’s unbeaten run in the Champions League to 24 matches, just one short of the record set by Manchester United between 2007 and 2009. However, it also marked only the second time in 42 home Champions League games under Guardiola that City has failed to score.
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu expressed his team’s confidence after the match. “Our plan was to show that we’re not scared to play here,” he said, reflecting on Inter’s positive approach to the game.
PSG Grabs Dramatic Late Win
While Manchester City stumbled, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) managed to secure a last-minute 1-0 victory against Girona, a team playing its first-ever Champions League match. PSG appeared set to settle for a draw until a goalkeeping error by Girona’s Paulo Gazzaniga handed them the win.
Nuno Mendes sent in a cross in the 90th minute that Gazzaniga failed to handle, allowing the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net. Mendes, speaking after the game, admitted his surprise at the outcome. “The goalkeeper was there, and it got through. I was surprised by the goal.”
PSG’s late win showcased their ability to grind out results, even when not at their best. The French champions struggled to impose themselves for much of the match, but Mendes’ decisive moment kept their hopes alive in the group stage.
Dortmund Dominates with Young Talent
Borussia Dortmund, last season’s runners-up, delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Club Brugge. English winger Jamie Gittens played a pivotal role, coming off the bench to score twice in a sensational performance. The 20-year-old’s energy and pace changed the game in Dortmund’s favor.
Serhou Guirassy added a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win and mark his first goal for Dortmund since his summer transfer from Stuttgart. The victory set the tone for Dortmund’s Champions League campaign, as they look to go one step further this year after falling short in the final last season.
Celtic’s Bright Start
Celtic enjoyed a dream start to their Champions League campaign, thrashing Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in front of a passionate home crowd. The Scottish champions secured their first opening-game win in the competition in 13 attempts, thanks to a dominant second-half performance.
Liam Scales gave Celtic the lead with a powerful header, and Kyogo Furuhashi doubled their advantage early in the second half. Despite a penalty conversion by Slovan’s Arne Engels, Celtic remained in control, with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah adding two more goals to complete the rout.
“It’s a fantastic night,” said Celtic captain Callum McGregor. “I hope the supporters enjoyed it because the players and managers did.”
Other Matches: Bologna and Sparta Prague
Bologna marked their Champions League debut with a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Italian side showed resilience, with goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski saving an early penalty to keep the match level.
Meanwhile, Sparta Prague secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. Goals from Kaan Kairinen, Victor Olatunji, and Qazim Laci propelled the Czech champions to their first Champions League win since 2003.
Conclusion
The Champions League’s opening week showcased a mix of dominant performances, narrow victories, and surprising draws. While Manchester City struggled to find their rhythm against a resolute Inter Milan, PSG capitalized on a late mistake to secure victory. Borussia Dortmund, Celtic, and Sparta Prague impressed with their commanding wins, setting the stage for an exciting group stage ahead. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
