City suffer frustration in UEFA Youth League opener

Ben Wilkinson’s side had made the perfect start at the Joie Stadium, racing into a second minute lead through Farid Alfa-Ruprecht’s strike.

But Inter then hit back in stunning fashion, claiming three goals inside 10 minutes though Thomas Berenbruch, Matteo Lavelli (penalty) and Christos Alexiou.

Alfa-Ruprecht was on target again at the start of the second half to reduce arrears but despite putting Inter under severe pressure and laying siege to the Inter goal, the City youngsters were unable to force a leveller.

And on 81 minutes another strike from Berenbruch sealed the victory for the Italians.

What happened

Pitted against a talented young Italian side, the City youngsters launched our Youth League game amidst a beguiling backdrop of glorious sunshine and bright blue skies.

It marked lead coach Ben Wilkinson’s first foray in Europe in charge of our Under-19s and couldn’t have made for a more attractive, mouth-watering tie.

And City got off to the perfect start by storming into a lead inside two minutes through Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

The winger latched onto a poor pass out from goalkeeper Mateo Zamarian and powered into the area before firing home for what was his third goal of the campaign to stun the visitors.

It almost got better on five minutes as Zamarian partially made amends by diving to his right to produce a fine save to deny Matty Warhurst after the City striker’s header appeared goal bound.

However, the Italians served up the perfect response to that early setback by drawing level on eight minutes in their first meaningful attack.

Giacomo De Pieri found a fraction of space on the right of the City box and squared for Thomas Berenbruch who drilled home a low left foot drive past City keeper Jack Wint.

It then needed a timely block from Lakyle Samuel to deny a threatening shot from Inter striker Matteo Lavelli and Wint then needed to be alert to dive low to keep out Christos Alexiou’s six yard prod from the resulting corner.

Inter though had their tails up and were then awarded a 14th minute penalty after Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was adjudged to have brought down Lavelli in the box.

It looked a tough call from ref Ishmael Barbara but from the resulting spot kick Lavelli sent Wint the wrong way as Inter took the advantage.

And it got even worse three minutes later when the dangerous visitors struck once more in what was a quite extraordinary turnaround.

The initial danger appeared to have been cleared from a corner but Inter regained possession and though Wint made an initial parry from a snapshot, skipper Alexiou was there to force home the rebound.

City’s keeper need to be alert again on 25 minutes to deny De Pieri as Iner demonstrated their potent threat in the final third.

Wilkinson’s side sought to summon up a response and Jacob Wright was unlucky to see a sweetly struck 36th minute free kick deflected inches wide.

And only a last-gasp block then prevented Reigan Heskey from narrowing the deficit on the stroke of half-time after a fine City break.

However just as in the first half City made a flying start after the break through that man Alfa-Ruprecht.

He again showed great composure to fire home after a quickfire attack rocked Inter on their heels.

And only a fine save from Zamarian prevented Heskey from heading home a leveller as City stepped up the pressure.

Substiute Ryan McAidoo caused all sorts of issues after coming on and almost picked out Matty Warhurst with an inviting cross.

However it was Inter who made the next crucial strike, Berenbruch scoring against the run of play to effectively seal the deal.

City kept pushing with Simpson-Pusey heading over from close range in injury time shortly before the final whistle.

How we lined up

Jack Wint was in goal for City and protected by a back four of Matthew Henderson-Hall, Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Kaden Braithwaite.

Jacob Wright was the holding midfielder with Nico O’Reilly and Reigan Heskey also in the engine room.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, Matty Warhurst and Justin Oboavwoduo formed City’s attacking trident.

CITY XI: Wint, Henderson-Hall (Mfuni 69), Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Braithwaite, Wright, O’Reilly, Heskey (McAidoo 69), Alfa-Ruprecht, Oboavwoduo (Mukasa 80), Warhurst.

Subs: Thomas, Whatmuff, Gray, Fletcher, Hudson.

INTER: Zamarian, Della Mora (Venturini 83), Cocchi (Motta 69), Zanchetta, Cecconi (Kangasniemi 69), Alexiou, Berenbruch, Topalovic, (Zarate 60), Lavelli (Spinacce 60), De Pieri, Mosconi

Subs: Taho, Maye, Romano, Pinotti. 

What it means

The loss serves as a frustrating start to City’s UEFA Youth League campaign.

Next up in Europe for our Under-19s is a trip to tackle Slovan Bratislava. That match in Slovakia takes place on Tuesday, October 1 with kick-off time to be confirmed.

What’s next

City’s Elite Development Squad are next in action on Saturday in PL2.

It’s another huge match too with City travelling to Manchester United. Kick-off at Carrington is set for 12:00 (UK).