Manchester City in poor form, Gündogan misses impressive Inter draw | Champions League

Manchester City know only too well how tough Inter are. The greatest night in City's history, the 2023 Champions League final triumph against them, was not without its difficulties; the heartbreaking moments have gilded the legend. This was another reminder of the quality of Simone Inzaghi's Italian champions, albeit without the same level of drama.

City fans had come to see Erling Haaland and the striker's latest attack into the history books. Had he scored, he would have become the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club, just surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's record for Real Madrid. It was game number 104 for Haaland. Ronaldo scored 105.

The Norwegian was not seen for a few moments in the first half. He still has 99 goals ahead of Arsenal's Premier League visit on Sunday. And City were not seen enough, although they almost scored in injury time when substitute Ilkay Gündogan headed straight at Yann Sommer from close range. The German even came close later with a diving header.

It would have been cruel for Inter, who created good chances but, like that night in Istanbul, lacked the necessary cutting edge and the final action was always missing. At least this time they had something to show for a well-coordinated performance. One of the most outstanding features, especially in the first half, was how they played on the counterattack against City. They also defended as befits an Italian team.

Inzaghi had insisted this was not a rematch but a night of revenge, but did anyone believe him? History was impossible to ignore, and not just because highlights of the final were being replayed on the Etihad's big screen during the countdown to kick-off, with Rodri's goal visible from every angle.

City wore cream/light peach shirts, part of a collaboration with Oasis. They wanted to play high and dominate the ball, as they always do. And yet it was difficult for them because Inter – as in Istanbul – were well-drilled in their 3-5-2 system, moving cleverly and being confident in and out of possession.

Inter tightened the space in their defensive third as City pressed and there were moments before half-time when Inzaghi's team got through City with surprising ease. With Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne occupying high positions, Inter were able to find inviting spaces between the lines. If only they could have timed some of their runs a little better in the first half – the offside flag was their enemy – or been more determined when shooting. Marcus Thuram was the main culprit.

Before half-time, Inter almost won, but not quite. Inzaghi had big problems in his defensive zone, including when Thuram failed to hold onto a back pass from Piotr Zielinski. And when Ederson blocked the overrunning Hakan Calhanoglu at the near post. Inter could also point to the moment when Mehdi Taremi chipped the ball towards goal after a weak attempt at a save by Ederson. Josko Gvardiol cleared with his head.

Guardiola sprinted to the dressing room at half-time because there was a lot to discuss. The first half had been an uphill battle for City. They lacked penetration in the final third, although Savinho had the better of Carlos Augusto in terms of pace. City's best chance of the first half came when De Bruyne cut back from the left and Silva couldn't find his feet. Haaland sent a header straight at Sommer and shot just wide.

Guardiola reshuffled his midfield for the second half, moving Phil Foden and Gundogan into the attacking centre positions and Silva to the right. Savinho and De Bruyne, who had to be treated after a collision with Sommer, were forced off. It was only Foden's second appearance of the season as he struggled with illness.

For a long time the mood was subdued, the home fans yearning for a spark and they were not fazed as Inter continued to search for a counter-attack in the second half. Inzaghi thought they had landed it in the 53rd minute when Taremi cut in from the left and allowed Matteo Darmian to storm into the box on the inside right. He had to shoot but he looked for a backheel pass that never arrived. Another Inzaghi breakdown.

The Inter coach was on his knees, punching the ground, as substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan slammed a low cross into the net from another substitute, Denzel Dumfries. The Armenian should have done better.

City came close when Foden shot straight at Sommer and Gvardiol also kept the goalkeeper busy. They refused to accept that their first 0-0 here since Arsenal's visit in March was their fate. They pressed at the end, with Gündogan getting into dangerous areas. The big chance came from a cross from Gvardiol but his placement was poor. When his second header went wide, Inter had the deserved point.