We preview and predict Thursday’s Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City and Inter will meet for the first time since their 2023 final showdown.
Manchester City vs Inter: Match Preview
Manchester City face Inter in their opening Champions League fixture, eager to start their campaign strongly against the team they defeated to claim their first title in the 2023 competition.
Historically, Inter have struggled in opening matches of the competition, managing just one victory in their last nine group stage openers—a 2-1 win over Tottenham in the 2018-19 season (D5 L3).
Although Inter’s record of just three defeats in their last 20 Champions League matches (W11 D6) seems impressive, it pales in comparison to their opponents.
Manchester City, excluding penalty shootouts, are unbeaten in their last 23 games in the competition (W16 D7). A win in this fixture would bring them within one game of equaling Manchester United’s record of 25 consecutive unbeaten matches in the European Cup/Champions League, set between September 2007 and May 2009.
With Pep Guardiola in charge, this feat seems achievable. Among managers who have overseen 50+ games in the competition, Guardiola boasts the highest win percentage at 63.7% (109 wins in 171 matches).
Erling Haaland continues his remarkable form, having scored 41 goals in 39 Champions League appearances. A goal in this match would mark his 100th for Manchester City.
Erling Haaland will likely face Yann Sommer, who posted the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper in the 2023-24 Champions League (86% – minimum two appearances). The Swiss keeper saved 25 of the 29 shots on target he faced last season.
Manchester City are set to be nearly at full strength for the match, with only Nathan Aké and long-term absentee Oscar Bobb unavailable. For the visitors, Tajon Buchanan remains their only injury concern.
Manchester City vs Inter: Head-to-Head
The only previous European meeting between Manchester City and Inter took place in the 2023 Champions League final, where City secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a Rodri goal.
The match in Istanbul was tightly contested, with Inter missing several late chances to push the game into extra time.
Inter have claimed away victories against four different English teams in the Champions League—Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. A win here would make them the fourth club to win at five or more English grounds, joining Barcelona (seven), Real Madrid (five), and Bayern Munich (five).
Though City have never hosted Inter before, they were unbeaten at the Etihad in last season’s Champions League, winning all three group stage matches and remaining undefeated across all five home fixtures.
Manchester City vs Inter: Recent Form
Pep Guardiola’s side have enjoyed a flawless start to their Premier League title defence, winning all four matches so far. Their latest victory, a 2-1 comeback against Brentford, keeps them at the top of the table.
In contrast, Inter have had mixed fortunes. While they remain unbeaten this season with two wins and two draws, Simone Inzaghi expressed frustration after a wasteful display nearly saw them falter against Monza on Sunday.
Simone Inzaghi will be looking for a positive start to the Champions League to ease early-season nerves, though Inter faces a tough schedule with fixtures against RB Leipzig, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen in the revamped group stage.
Manchester City vs Inter: Team News
Manchester City
Erling Haaland will aim to continue his blistering form in the Champions League as Manchester City host Inter Milan on Wednesday night, with no new injury concerns for the hosts.
Haaland has already netted nine goals in his first four Premier League matches this season and now has the chance to make an impact in Europe. With 41 goals in 39 Champions League appearances to date, the prolific striker is poised to add to his tally. Should City not finish in the top eight of the league phase but still make it to the final, they could play up to 17 matches in the revamped competition.
Pep Guardiola had hinted at the possibility of Haaland missing City’s recent Premier League match against Brentford due to the death of a close family friend. However, Haaland started and scored twice in that game and is expected to lead the attack once again at the Etihad.
Rodri, who made his first appearance of the season against Brentford, played 45 minutes and is set to feature again as Guardiola continues to build his fitness ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, both on the bench in the last match, are likely to be in contention for starting roles, while Josko Gvardiol could slot in at left-back if Rico Lewis is rested.
Oscar Bobb remains sidelined due to a long-term injury suffered just before the season, and Nathan Aké is also unavailable.
Manchester City: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper:Â Ederson
- Defenders:Â Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol
- Midfielders:Â Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne
- Forwards:Â Silva, Grealish, Haaland
Inter
Tajon Buchanan is out for Inter due to a fractured fibula, while Alessandro Bastoni, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella, who were rotated at the weekend, are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Inter have a mixed record against English opposition, with seven wins and six losses in their last 13 encounters, and their away form in the Champions League has been inconsistent, managing only eight victories in their last 22 matches on the road.
Simone Inzaghi knows that facing Manchester City is one of the toughest opening fixtures his side could have drawn in the revamped group stage. Despite an unbeaten start to their Serie A title defence, Inter have yet to secure an away victory this season, drawing against Genoa and Monza.
Inter needed a late equalizer from full-back Denzel Dumfries on Sunday to salvage a point against a winless Monza side.
Inter: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper:Â Sommer
- Defenders:Â Bastoni, Acerbi, Pavard
- Midfielders:Â Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Darmian
- Forwards:Â Thuram, Martinez
Manchester City vs Inter: Prediction
It’s a challenging opener for City, but playing at home makes them the clear favorites against Inter.
Prediction: Manchester City to win 2-1.
Where to Watch the Match: Streaming Details and Live Broadcast
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 match between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled to Thursday, 19 September 2024 at 12:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Etihad Stadium. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV App.
Read More: Manchester City vs the Premier League: The 115 Charges and Timeline of the Case
When is Manchester City vs Inter Milan?
Manchester City will face Inter at home on Thursday midnight in 19th September from 12:30 am onwards.
