Manchester City will face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night, and we simulated the match to predict the score.
Pep Guardiola’s team kicks off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign at the Etihad Stadium tonight, aiming to build on their momentum after a solid start to the season. City remain the only Premier League side with a perfect record after four games, following their 2-1 victory over Brentford. Erling Haaland, who continues his phenomenal form, netted twice to bring his season total to nine goals. While a crucial clash against Arsenal looms on the weekend, all focus is on this European encounter for now.
City fans will remember their previous clash with Inter fondly, as a 1-0 victory in the 2023 final secured their first-ever Champions League title. With a revamped format for the competition this season, City are set to play eight games in the league phase, where the top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout rounds.
Can City start their European campaign with a win against Inter? Let’s dive into the simulated showdown to find out.
Simulating the Match: Man City vs Inter
Using EA FC 24 to simulate the game, we updated both teams’ squads with the latest injuries and suspensions. However, since it’s still EA FC 24, last season’s kits and squad numbers were used.
We predict City will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, featuring:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Grealish.
For Inter, we predict a 3-5-2 formation, with:
Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
City has started slow in their last couple of home games, and the same scenario almost repeated when Inter’s Lautaro Martinez attempted an audacious 40-yard lob that just skimmed the crossbar. Inter dominated the first half, keeping City on the back foot, but Guardiola’s defense held strong, keeping the score level.
After halftime, City came out with more intensity. Erling Haaland nearly broke the deadlock with a towering header from Jack Grealish’s cross, but Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer pulled off a superb save, tipping the effort onto the post. As the match wore on, it appeared destined for a goalless draw, but City found a late winner in dramatic fashion.
Phil Foden and Rico Lewis combined beautifully on the right flank, with Lewis drilling a dangerous cross into the box. The ball fell to Kevin De Bruyne, who had ghosted into the area unmarked. With time to control the ball, the Belgian midfielder coolly slotted it into the corner in the 92nd minute, sealing a last-gasp 1-0 victory for the hosts.
Final Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Inter – A tight contest, but City’s resilience and De Bruyne’s late heroics give them the win.
