Peter Schmeichel and Micah Richards clash in heated on-air debate after ManU legend sharply criticises ManCity fans

Peter Schmeichel and Micah Richards came to blows during CBS's Champions League coverage on Wednesday when the former Danish goalkeeper challenged Manchester City fans.

City opened their European campaign at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening with a match against Inter Milan in the brand new Champions League format.

Despite a perfect start to the domestic season, Pep Guardiola's team failed to put the ball in the net and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

It was the first time ever that City had opened their Champions League season with a goalless draw, but they were probably lucky to come away with a point.

Inter looked to be the more dangerous side in both halves, with former Man United player Matteo Darmian wasting a huge chance in the second half when he refused to take a shot despite being in a one-on-one situation.

After the game, former United and City star Peter Schmeichel criticised the atmosphere at the Etihad during the match, claiming the stadium was “absolutely dead”.

Schmeichel told CBS Sports: “I don't think it's a good draw. I thought it was a really, really boring game. I'm sorry to say that. I thought Inter stopped Man City really well.”

“I like good football and I like the enthusiasm of the crowd. It was dead. At the Etihad today it was absolutely dead. The only people we could hear were the Inter fans, who were quite good. But there was no atmosphere at the Etihad today,” he added.

The goalkeeper, who played 29 Premier League games for City between 2002 and 2003, stressed that the stadium should have shaken on a Champions League night against the Italian champions.

“Normally you would think, 'Well, a great European night,' but that's not what happened with them,” he explained.

Erling Haaland – Getty

Unsurprisingly, City's slander did not go down well with CBS' Micah Richards, who immediately rushed to the club's aid.

“Don’t you respect my club?” he asked.

Richards was keen to light up the atmosphere at the Etihad during the weekend's 2-1 win over Brentford, which saw the Premier League champions come from behind to secure their fourth win of the season.

“You should have been there on Saturday, Pete,” Micah continued.

But Schmeichel already had a defense ready: “Maybe they just left the atmosphere on Saturday. To be honest, it was so bland.”