Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team’s “giant performance” after holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener.
The expanded tournament format, designed to pit Europe’s top clubs against each other more frequently, saw both sides start their campaigns with a hard-fought stalemate.
Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi said the Italian champions produced a “giant performance” to leave Manchester City frustrated in a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.
One of the selling points of the new expanded Champions League format was to bring together the continent’s elite teams more often before the knockout stage.
A repeat of the 2023 final, won 1-0 by City, did little to set the pulses racing, but Inter will feel they should have inflicted a first home European defeat in six years for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed over the best chance of the match 15 minutes from time.
“I said ‘well done guys’ to my team in the dressing room. They put in a giant performance,” said Inzaghi.
“We all know Manchester City and what they’re capable of. We all know what they have achieved, particularly at home.
“We did this and had some good chances too. I fell into a state of despair when Mkhitaryan didn’t score.”
De Bruyne injury worry
City have started the defence of their Premier League title in relentless fashion with four consecutive wins but failed to hit their stride as Inter comfortably held out.
Marcus Thuram had the visitors’ best sight of goal in the first half but sidefooted wide from the edge of the box.
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