Manchester City 0 Inter Milan 0: City player ratings as City’s Champions League campaign opens with a draw | OneFootball

Manchester City 0.

Inter Milan 0.

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City kicked off the UEFA Champions League league phase with a nil-all draw against Inter Milan.

The game saw Manchester City play in their Oasis-inspired fourth kit for the first time, and the first-half performance matched that of their colourful kit. Pep Guardiola’s side probed away in possession but Inter Milan arguably carried the biggest threat in the first half. Simone Inzaghi’s side defended well and were a threat on the counter whenever they broke free. In all honesty, Manchester City were their own worst enemy in the first half. Whenever they lost possession the Serie A champions looked to break quickly. Kevin De Bruyne wasn’t at his best in the first half, and on multiple occasions, he lost the ball that played into Inter’s hands. Both teams had their chances in the first half, but the biggest moment of concern for City was the apparent injury picked up by De Bruyne, who was substituted at halftime.

Pep Guardiola made two changes at halftime with Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden replacing Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho at the interval. The changes had the desired effect as Phil Foden flashed a shot just over the bar at the beginning of the second half. The second half followed the same pattern as the first half with City dominating possession and Inter looking to hit Pep Guardiola’s side on the counter.

In the end, Manchester City will be frustrated not to have taken all three points as Ilkay Gundogan had two golden opportunities to win the game but it wasn’t to be.

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City began the UEFA Champions League league phase with a hard-fought nil-all draw at the Etihad.

City player ratings

Ederson-7/10- Made one error in the first half but made a couple of good saves and was a calm presence in goal.

Rico Lewis-7/10- A good display from Lewis. He was better in the second half than the first half as City went up a gear after halftime.

Manuel Akanji-7/10- Did what he had to do at the back, like always, with minimal fuss.

Ruben Dias-7/10- Was harshly booked in the first half but another good performance from Dias.

Josko Gvardiol-8/10- City’s man-of-the-match for me. Defended well and was good in possession. His best performance of the season so far.

Rodri-6.5/10- He began the game slowly as he was caught in possession on occasions in the first half. Rodri grew into the game in the second half and will be better for the run.

Kevin De Bruyne-5.5/10: Guilty of giving away possession too often in the first half. He got into dangerous positions at times, but not at his best. Also looked to have picked up an injury late in the first half.

Bernardo Silva-6/10: He was his typical busy self throughout the game but not at his best.

Savinho-6/10: Threatened on occasions before being substituted at halftime.

Jack Grealish-7.5/10- Arguably City’s best-attacking player over the full 90 minutes as he created several chances throughout the game. Grealish is building into the season well now.

Erling Haaland-6/10- He had two first chances but was well contained by the Inter defence. His defensive work is improving, and when he leads the press, his teammates follow.

Substitutes

Phil Foden-6.5/10- Foden made an impact in the second half. He had several opportunities to score, but that will come when his touch returns after a layoff.

Ilkay Gundogan-6.5/10- Gundogan could’ve been the hero late on but his two headers failed to break the deadlock. He gave Manchester City the control they lacked in the first half in a polished display.

Jeremy Doku-7/10- Doku only played the final 10 minutes but was an immediate threat to Inter’s defence. He almost set up the winner for Gundogan but showed just how dangerous he can be as a late substitute.