Manchester City kick off their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a thrilling match against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
This will be the first time the two teams have met since their clash in the 2023 Champions League final. In that match, Rodri scored the only goal to secure a 1-0 victory for City in Istanbul, helping them achieve a historic treble.
City are the only Premier League team with a perfect record after four games, though their winning streak was tested by a determined Brentford side on Saturday. The Etihad crowd was stunned when Yoane Wissa scored just 22 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a mistake by John Stones.
Despite several chances for Brentford, Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing before halftime turned the game around, leading City to a 2-1 win.
Haaland’s brace not only secured the win but also brought his season goal tally to nine, setting a new Premier League record and moving him to 99 goals for City in just 103 games across all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s team has now extended their unbeaten run at the Etihad to 46 games (W39 D7). They’ll face three more home games in different competitions over the next week, starting with Wednesday’s Champions League match against Inter, followed by Premier League and EFL Cup fixtures against Arsenal and Watford.
City are eager to make a strong start in the expanded Champions League, aiming for a statement win over Inter. They are currently on a 23-match unbeaten run in the competition and could equal Manchester United’s record of 25 unbeaten matches if they avoid defeat in their first two games this season.
After impressive wins over Lecce and Atalanta BC, Inter couldn’t secure a third consecutive Serie A victory last weekend, drawing 1-1 with Monza. Despite being on the verge of their first defeat of the season when Dany Mota scored for Monza, Denzel Dumfries equalized for Inter, saving a point for the Italian champions.
Inzaghi expressed disappointment over the missed opportunities, especially in the first half. His team now faces a crucial week with Champions League and Serie A matches against Manchester City and AC Milan.
Inter come into Wednesday’s game having lost just three of their last 20 Champions League matches (W11 D6). However, they’ve won only one of their last nine Champions League season openers.
Seeking revenge for their 2023 final loss, Inter will look to add another English team to their list of away victories, having previously beaten Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool in the competition.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Manchester City are still missing attacker Oscar Bobb due to a leg fracture, and defender Nathan Ake will be out until after the international break in mid-October with a muscle injury.
Pep Guardiola is likely to give Rodri his first start of the season after he played 45 minutes in the win over Brentford. Phil Foden is also pushing for a starting spot after being an unused substitute last time out.
Erling Haaland, who has scored an impressive 41 goals in just 39 Champions League games, is expected to lead the attack once again. However, it’s uncertain whether Guardiola will stick with Kyle Walker at right-back or move Rico Lewis from left-back and bring back Josko Gvardiol. Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones are also vying for a spot in the center of defense.
For Inter Milan, Federico Dimarco (muscle issue) and Marko Arnautovic (unspecified injury) missed first-team training on Tuesday and will not travel to the Etihad. Tajon Buchanan is also sidelined, still recovering from a fractured tibia he suffered while playing for Canada at the Copa America.
Inter’s head coach Simone Inzaghi is expected to bring back key players such as defender Alessandro Bastoni and midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella. Barella, who recently had sinus surgery, was an unused substitute last time. With Dimarco out, Carlos Augusto is likely to start at left wing-back.
Up front, Marcus Thuram, who has scored four goals and provided two assists in Serie A so far, will partner with captain Lautaro Martinez, who is still searching for his first goal of the season.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Augusto; Thuram, Martinez
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Manchester City 2-1 Inter Milan
A thrilling clash between two top contenders for the Champions League is expected at the Etihad, with Manchester City’s outstanding home record making them the favorites to win.
City have been leaking goals lately, which could play into Inter Milan’s hands. However, with Erling Haaland in such impressive form up front, City are likely to find a way to come out on top if he continues his scoring streak on Wednesday.
