Man City fans watched their team play out a goalless draw against Inter (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel branded the Etihad atmosphere ‘absolutely dead’ during last night’s Champions League stalemate against Inter.
Pep Guardiola’s relentless winning machine have started the new season in ominous form, but Manchester City’s 100% start came to an end following a bore draw last night.
Simone Inzaghi’s obdurate side coped comfortably with the threat of Erling Haaland and escaped with a point that will stand them in good stead and boost their hopes of automatic qualification for the last 16.
City entertain Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday and Pep Guardiola will doubtless hope his supporters create more of an intimidating atmosphere than they did last night.
‘I don’t think it’s a good draw and I felt it was a really, really boring game,’ Schmeichel told CBS. ‘I’m sorry to say it.
‘I felt Inter did a good job in stopping Manchester City. I love good football and I like excitement from the crowd and it was dead.
‘The Etihad was absolutely dead. The only people we could hear were the Inter supporters who were quite good. But there was no atmosphere in the Etihad today.
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‘Normally you would think a big European night but it didn’t happen for them.’
City, meanwhile, may well be without skipper Kevin De Bruyne for their summit meeting against the Gunners.
The Belgium playmaker was withdrawn at the interval after struggling in the latter stages of the first half.
He will now be assessed with the situation a major concern for the champions ahead of Sunday’s visit of their closest challengers in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
De Bruyne was replaced at half-time against Inter (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Manager Guardiola said: ‘I don’t know (what the problem is). I haven’t spoken with the doctors yet. We’ll assess tonight, maybe tomorrow. I will have more info tomorrow.’
City failed to spark as a positive Inter, who created some of the best chances during the game, claimed a creditable draw in their first match of the competition’s new league phase.
Guardiola, however, felt there was plenty to be pleased about against tough opposition.
The Spaniard said: ‘We faced a really, really difficult team – the champions from Italy. A class team in all departments.
‘I’m really, really satisfied for the game we played. I liked everything about my team today, everything.
‘We would have preferred to win – there are still seven games. We’ll see what happens.’
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