Erling Haaland could not continue his jaw-dropping goal-scoring form against Inter Milan as Manchester City were held 0-0 at the Etihad.
It was the first time that City had drawn an opening match in the Champions League - a night they needed their lethal hitman to look his snarling best.
But Haaland was blunted after recording just 15 touches - the lowest of every player to start the match on Wednesday night.
If the Norwegian had got on the scoresheet, it would have been his 100th goal for City - despite only joining in the summer of 2022.
Erling Haaland missed out on his 100th goal for City
PA
Wednesday night was his 103rd match for City and his total of 99 is still an incredible achievement.
But it was Inter Milan who looked the most likely to snatch all three points after a host of glorious chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Marcus Thuram had two fine opportunities while former Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian was through on goal only to inexplicably backheel it to no one when he should have shot.
City had a flurry of late chances with Ilkay Gundogan presented with two golden opportunites while Phil Foden could have won it for the home side late on too.
But a point was arguably the right result for two sides who defended well in a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final.
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There was one worry, though, when Kevin de Bruyne went off injured at half-time.
City face Arsenal in a crunch Premier League tie on Sunday and Pep Guardiola could be without his talisman in midfield after a potential groin injury.
Elsewhere, Celtic got their Champions League campaign off with a bang with a resounding 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava.
Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, an own goal from Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah all got on the scoresheet to make it a dream start in Europe this season at Parkhead.
Pep Guardiola was left frustrated by City's lack of edge
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City will travel to Slovakia next in their Champions League campaign to face Slovan Bratislava in the second of eight matches after the competition was expanded this season.
But it was the first time that the Premier League champions have not won after a rocket start to the year.
They have won four out of four in the league as they hunt down an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row.
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Kevin de Bruyne was injured during the Champions League match against Inter Milan
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But all eyes will now switch to Sunday when they take on Arsenal, who are seen by many as City's main challengers for the trophy.
The Gunners are also missing key players, including their own playmaker Martin Odegaard after Mikel Arteta gave a 'significant' injury update.
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