Inter got off the mark in the UEFA Champions League with an emphatic 4-0 home victory against Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday night. Simone Inzaghi fielded an understrength line-up, but the Serie A champions painted their first European game at Giuseppe Meazza this term with flying colors.
Despite leaving heavy hitters Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram on the bench, Inzaghi rued missed chances in the first half as Inter entered the break only 1-0 up. Hakan Calhanoglu scored the opening goal in the 11th minute with a thunderous free-kick. Interestingly, it was Inter’s first Champions League goal from a direct set-piece in 14 years.
Marko Arnautovic doubled the hosts’ advantage on the stroke of the hour mark in his first start for Inter this season. Mehdi Taremi stole the ball high up the pitch and set the Austrian veteran on a silver platter as the Nerazzurri put daylight between the sides.
Inter fans had to wait only 12 minutes for the third. After breaking his scoring drought against Udinese in Serie A, Martinez scored off the bench for his first Champions League goal this term. Taremi put the icing on the cake from the spot to cap off a scintillating performance.
Let’s look at our player ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 7
It was supposed to be a quiet night for the Swiss keeper, but he had to make several stunning saves to keep another clean sheet at Europe’s top table.
Benjamin Pavard – 7
After several unconvincing league showings, the Frenchman regained confidence with a decent performance tonight. But there’s still ample room for improvement.
Stefan de Vrij – 6.5
Swooped in for Francesco Acerbi and delivered a reassuring showing, though a slightly better positioning would’ve enabled him to avoid a bookable offense early in the second half.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
While the Italian center-back was impressive with the ball at his feet, he had occasional lapses of concentration at the back. Nothing that would cost his side.
Carlos Augusto – 6.5
Could’ve and should’ve scored midway through the second half when he broke one-on-one with Omri Glazer. Lively on the flank, as always!
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Playing every three days seems to be taking its toll on the Armenina veteran as he looked out of steam this evening.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7.5
In addition to his well-taken free kick, the Turkish midfielder was superb in the build-up, pulling all the strings in Inter’s attacking movements.
Piotr Zielinski – 6.5
He’s still not 100% fit, plus a lack of regular first-team football at the start of the season saw him enter the game a bit rusty. Grew into the contest as the match progressed.
Denzel Dumfries – 6
His trademark runs down the right flank were the missing ingredient tonight. It’s not like he impressed at the back.
Mehdi Taremi – 8
He deserved the goal. His sophisticated game sense allowed him to make two crucial steals leading to the goals. Such an intelligent striker!
Marko Arnautovic – 7
There wasn’t much he was left to do after Taremi tied him up for the second except for tapping the ball into an empty net. A confidence-boosting night for the Austrian!
Substitutes
Davide Frattesi – 6.5
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Lautaro Martinez – 7
Kristjan Asllani – 6
Yann Bisseck – 6
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