Pep Guardiola was ‘very happy’ with a point against Inter in the Champions League, noting Manchester City were facing ‘masters of defending and transition.’
Many Premier League watchers would’ve expected this to be a dominant performance, but much like the Champions League Final in Istanbul in 2023, it was a very balanced affair indeed.
The Nerazzurri had the best chances with Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with City only really threatening in stoppages with two Ilkay Gundogan headers.
“We played so good. I love my team, we are a fantastic team. Inter are a team that defends really well. They are the masters of defending and transition as well,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.
“We conceded one-and-a-half chances and we couldn’t create many chances when a team defends 11 players so deep. They help each other so well. I’m pleased with our performance, I liked everything.
“When you lose easy balls, you allow the counter-attack. It’s impossible to stop it, we have to be more precise. When we are alone and lose the ball, you can’t do that.”
Gundogan had the clearest chances of the whole game with those two last-gasp headers, one saved by Yann Sommer, the other over the bar.
“Sommer made a couple of saves, above all on Josko. We had not a lot, but so clear. It’s at the start of the season, the displays will be better, with more time we will be better.”
Kevin de Bruyne limped off at half-time, but Guardiola also introduced Phil Foden for Savinho over the break.
“I needed a player in small spaces who can turn and attack the back five. Gundogan also moves really well, so we try to turn and attack.”
Erling Haaland, who had scored nine goals in four Premier League games this season, was frustrated and had just 14 touches of the ball throughout the entire match.
This was only the second time in 42 Champions League home ties under Guardiola that the Citizens failed to find the net, the other a goalless draw with Sporting CP in March 2022.
Inter had also achieved a great result against Manchester City earlier today, as their Primavera side won 4-2 in the UEFA Youth League clash.