Manchester City vs Inter Milan Preview

Champions League - League Stage GW1

The Champions League is back for Manchester City and we start with the current Italian league champions in the new format. A repeat of the 2023 Champions League Final but with both sides set up differently. Through the transfers made and the shift in tactics. It’s clear from the rotation last weekend that the two managers are keen to field their best 11 and win the match.

Previous Results

• Manchester City beat Brentford (H) 2-1 in their last Premier League match. City are currently top of the Premier League with 12 points from 4 games.

• Inter Milan drew their last match in Serie A 1-1 against Monza (A). Inter are currently third in Serie A with 8 points from 4 games.

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City are without Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake.

• Inter Milan are without Tajon Buchanan due to a broken tibia.

Interesting Inter Stats:

• The last time Inter Milan finished outside the top four in Serie A was the 2016/17 season (7th), since then they have finished second twice and won Serie A twice (20/21, 23/24).

• Apart from the 22/23 season, Inter Milan has failed to get past the R16 in the CL since 2010/11.

• Lautaro Martinez has been their top scorer in Serie A for the last three seasons (24, 21, 21).

• Marcus Thuram is currently joint-top scorer in Serie A (4). He scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists for Inter Milan last season in Serie A.

• Federico Dimarco has provided the most crosses into the penalty area in Serie A (6).

Inter Milan Setup

The team City play on Wednesday night will be very similar in personnel and tactics to the one they faced in the Champions League Final 2023. With some key transfers in between. Below are the teams that played in that final.

2023 Window

Since then Inter have shuffled the pack slightly, Andre Onana departed (Man United) and was replaced by Yan Sommer (Bayern Munich). An upgrade. Edin Dzeko left for free to Fenerbahce and was replaced by Marcus Thuram (Bor. M’gladbach) for free. Brozovic left for Al-Nassr. In came Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich) who became their first choice RCB, and Francesco Acerbi (Lazio) became permanent.

2024 Window

Inter likes to pick up players on free transfers and that continued this summer with the additions of Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto) and Piotr Zielinkski (Napoli). Adding much-needed depth to their front line and midfield respectively. Bought Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo) and made Arnautovic move permanent.

With all those moves in mind, here is what I’d expect to see on Wednesday night and this will be likely the best 11 Inter Milan have. In their league match last weekend against Monza, Inter rested Acerbi, Barella, Bastoni, and Calhanoglu. None of those started or came on for a minute.

Inter will set up with their 3-5-2 shape but it’s far more fluid than you’d think. Both Bastoni and Pavard are free to drive forward on the ball or make runs through to the final third. Usually, Darmian/Dumfries will be very high on the right side whilst Dimarco will look to make late runs in behind. Thuram will try to make runs in behind as well, Martinez then dropping into the space he creates. Barella will shift across the pitch to form triangles. Calhanoglu is very much the deep-lying playmaker.

Inter Milan will not want to box in and pin teams back. Instead, when they have possession they’ll keep it in the middle third so that the space is there behind the opposition back line. They like to cross early when the defenders have a harder job predicting the path of the ball.

They also suffer in transition just like City and can be got at. Especially their CCB Acerbi up against Erling Haaland. Inter may go man-for-man like Brentford did at the weekend, using Barella alongside Thuram/Martinez to press the three City CBs (in possession). If that’s the case then City has the opportunity to expose them going long. But Inter has the players to punish any mistakes from City playing out from the back.

Manchester City Lineup

I don’t think this is an easy eleven to guess right, especially knowing the Arsenal game is on Sunday and a few different players need minutes. My guess is the players rested come in, so that’s Gvardiol, Dias, and Bernardo. Jeremy Doku to come in for Jack Grealish and then leave you the option between the two against Arsenal. It’s probably even right now. Of course, Haaland plays if fit and Savinho is probably in that same bracket for City already. Excellent decision-making on the ball and no real competition until Bobb is back. I could however see Pep playing Doku RW and Grealish LW though.

This is an opportunity to give Rodri his first start and get him up to speed before the match against Arsenal. Lewis and Walker is a close call, with the threat Thuram provides in behind, he might want to play it safe including Walker over Rico. Then use Lewis against Arsenal.

The hardest one to guess is who plays attacking midfield. De Bruyne needs a rest IMO so he is fresh against Arsenal. If Foden looks fit in training there is a good chance Pep will start him but if not I wouldn’t be surprised to see James McAtee given the place.

Final Predictions

Ones to Watch: 

Manchester City

There is a good chance this is the first start for Rodri this season and whether City needs to deal with an aggressive press or break down a stubborn organized defense, he will be key. A win and good performance against Inter Milan will be great for City in the Champions League but also for the team morale heading into the match against Arsenal on Sunday.

Inter Milan

In hindsight, the Brentford match was very beneficial for City heading into the match against Inter Milan. Dealing with a team that builds through the wide areas very well. Defended with a back five and caused them issues pressing high. But they have better players than Brentford and I’d expect those to cause City problems. Dimarco has been in fantastic form and will give Walker/Lewis a tough match down our right side. He’s not going to be an obvious threat Walker can see all match long since he makes runs from deep timed well.

Predicted Lineup:

Predicted Score: Manchester City 1 - 0 Inter Milan

If you haven’t checked it out already, here is the review of City 2-1 Brentford last weekend.

You can also find me previewing the league phase of the Champions League on the Ninety Three Twenty podcast below.

If you want to catch up on the individual stat leaders in the Premier League after GW4 then check out this thread below.

If you want to track individual players’ minutes then you can check out this live Google sheet below along with other stats.

LAST WORD👋

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