Matchday 1 of the 2024/25 Champions League is highlighted by Wednesday night‘s clash between Manchester City and Inter at the Etihad. In a repeat of the 2023 final in Istanbul, the Premier League champions face the Scudetto holders in a seismic early-season clash in the all-new league phase. Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens have started the fresh campaign in fine form, but they have leaked goals in recent weeks. Still, City sit atop the Premier League having won their opening four games.
Inter already have a couple of blemishes on their domestic record in 2024/25, and they were forced to come from behind late on at Monza on Sunday. Denzel Dumfries rescued a point for the champions, who were also held by Genoa on Matchday 1. However, a 4-0 victory over Atalanta before the September break was a reminder of just how potent Simone Inzaghi’s side can be.
Nathan Ake has been ruled out until after the October international break with a muscle injury sustained while playing for Netherlands last week. The Dutch defender joins Oscar Bobb on the sidelines, with Norwegian international not expected to be in contention until 2025.
Rodri is set to make his first start of this season on Wednesday, while Phil Foden could come back into the side after failing to feature at weekend. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are others pushing for starts but Guardiola will also have one eye on Sunday’s clash against Arsenal.
Man City predicted lineup vs Inter (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri Kovacic; Bernardo Foden Doku Haaland.
There are some concerns over star wing-back Federico Dimarco who has been dealing with muscle fatigue following Inter’s draw against Monza. Not only could he miss Wednesday’s game but Italian outlets believe Dimarco may also struggle to be fit for Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina.
The Nerazzurri otherwise have few issues on injury front. They will however be without Canadian international Tajon Buchanan.
Inzaghi rotated considerably at weekend and we should see Nicolo Barella Alessandro Bastoni Benjamin Pavard and Hakan Calhanoglu all come back into Inter XI at Etihad.
Inter predicted lineup vs Man City (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard Acerbi Bastoni; Dumfries Barella Calhanoglu Mkhitaryan Dimarco Thuram Martinez.
Neither side are likely to be drastically different from their first meeting less than 18 months ago with Inzaghi’s side causing City all sorts of problems before Rodri struck second-half winner.
While hosts have started season rather imperiously they have shown vulnerabilities to counterattack and when defending set-pieces.Those issues should be alleviated once Rodri is re-integrated and he should make his first start of season on Wednesday.
Rodri’s return will embolden hosts who also have sport’s most potent weapon at their disposal.An excellent Inter defense has their work cut out if they’re to tame Erling Haaland but Inzaghi’s meticulously drilled block and fluid positional rotations in possession hand Inter chance of causing an upset.
It’ll be close and very competitive with City perhaps having to work from behind to earn all three points
