Thu Sep 19 08:09:23 UTC 2024: ## Champions League Kicks Off with Mixed Results: City Held, PSG Scrape Win
Manchester City, the reigning champions, started their Champions League campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday. The match, a repeat of last year’s final, saw a resilient Inter side hold City at bay, with Erling Haaland surprisingly kept quiet in his pursuit of his 100th goal for the club. City lost Kevin De Bruyne to injury at half-time, adding to their woes.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain secured a dramatic 1-0 win over Girona thanks to a last-minute own goal. Girona, a newly promoted team backed by the City Football Group, gave PSG a tough fight, with the French champions needing a goalkeeper blunder in the 90th minute to claim victory.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund, last season’s runners-up, enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Club Brugge, with super-sub Jamie Gittens scoring twice. Celtic made a strong statement with a 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava, marking their first Champions League opening win in 13 attempts.
Other matches saw Bologna draw 0-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk in their inaugural Champions League appearance, and Sparta Prague claim a 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg.
The opening round of Champions League matches showcased a mix of exciting victories and disappointing draws, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable tournament.
First Piper 