Manchester City and Inter Milan Face Off in Champions League Opener

Manchester City and Inter Milan are set to clash in the opening match of the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. This encounter comes after their last meeting in the 2023 Champions League final, where Manchester City triumphed to secure their first title in the competition.

Pep Guardiola‘s squad has begun their Premier League campaign with an impressive run, recording four consecutive wins, including a recent 2-1 victory over Brentford. This performance sees them at the top of the league standings.

In contrast, Inter Milan’s start to the season has been less straightforward. Although they remain unbeaten in the Serie A with two wins and two draws, coach Simone Inzaghi expressed frustrations following a nearly costly match over the weekend.

Inter’s track record in the early stages of the Champions League has not been particularly strong, with only one opening match victory in their last nine campaigns. Meanwhile, Manchester City boasts an unbeaten streak of 23 games in the Champions League, excluding penalty shootouts, with a potential to match a European record for consecutive unbeaten games.

Key players to watch include Erling Haaland, who has netted 41 goals in the Champions League from 39 appearances and aims for his 100th goal for Manchester City. In goal for Inter, Yann Sommer boasts a high save percentage, proving to be a strong defensive asset.

Manchester City is largely at full strength except for Nathan Aké and long-term absentee Oscar Bobb. Inter has only one notable injury with Tajon Buchanan sidelined.

The Opta Power Rankings place Manchester City as clear favorites, with a 59.8% chance to win based on pre-match simulations. Inter, with a 19% chance, could be content with securing a draw.

This Champions League opener is poised to be a competitive match as both teams aim to start their campaigns on a strong note, making it a crucial game to watch for football fans worldwide.