The UEFA Champions League returns this week with more exciting matches, as Inter Milan face off against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in a pivotal clash. Both teams are capable of delivering strong performances and will be eager to secure a victory.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Preview
Manchester City will enter the match against Inter Milan as clear favorites, confident in their ability to extend their winning streak. On paper, they are the stronger side, and Pep Guardiola will expect a commanding display from his team.
On the other hand, while Inter Milan, the Serie A champions, remain unbeaten this season, they haven’t been at their best on the road. The Nerazzurri have drawn their last two away matches, and it’s uncertain whether they can secure a positive result here. With City in outstanding form, Inter will need to raise their game in this rematch of the 2023 UEFA Champions League final. The Hard Tackle offers a closer look at this highly anticipated clash.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Match Details
Match: Inter Milan Vs Manchester City
Date & Time: September 18, 2024 at 8 pm UK
Stadium:Etihad Stadium
Team News, Stats And Head-to-Head
Manchester City
Manchester City are still dealing with the absence of attacker Oscar Bobb, who is sidelined with a leg fracture, while defender Nathan Ake will remain out until mid-October due to a muscle injury. Pep Guardiola is likely to give Rodri his first start of the season after the midfielder played 45 minutes in the win over Brentford. Phil Foden will also be pushing for a starting spot, having been an unused substitute in the previous match.
While it’s almost certain that Haaland, who has impressively scored 41 goals in just 39 Champions League matches, will lead the attack again, there’s uncertainty over the right-back position. Guardiola might continue with Kyle Walker or shift Rico Lewis to the right and bring Josko Gvardiol back into the lineup. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones are all vying for a center-back spot.
Inter Milan
For Inter, Federico Dimarco and Marko Arnautovic missed first-team training on Tuesday and will not travel to the Etihad, along with Tajon Buchanan, who is still recovering from a fractured tibia suffered during the Copa America while playing for Canada.
Simone Inzaghi is expected to bring back key players, including defender Alessandro Bastoni and midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella. Barella was an unused substitute in the previous game, having recently undergone sinus surgery. With Dimarco unavailable, Carlos Augusto is likely to start at left wing-back. Marcus Thuram, who has contributed four goals and two assists in four Serie A matches, is set to keep his place up front alongside captain Lautaro Martinez, who has yet to score in three appearances this season.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City holds a slight advantage over Inter Milan, having won two of the three matches between the sides, while Inter Milan has won once. Their only encounter in the UEFA Champions League was the 2023 final, where Manchester City claimed a 1-0 victory.
Inter Milan have played away games against four different English teams in the UEFA Champions League and could become the fourth team in the competition’s history to secure away wins against five English clubs. Meanwhile, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 23 Champions League matches and are just two games away from matching the longest unbeaten run in the tournament’s history.
Possible Starting Lineup
Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
The Serie A champions have a strong squad and won’t be easy to overcome, aiming to challenge the home side. However, there is a clear gap in quality between the two teams, with Manchester City being superior on paper and currently in excellent form. Manchester City are expected to secure a comfortable victory in this match. While both teams may find the back of the net, Manchester City should ultimately come away with all three points.
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