Inter bounced back from their defeat in Rome to beat Sheriff 3-1 and get their first Champions League win of 2021/22 in what was a pretty entertaining fixture at the San Siro.
Simone Inzaghi’s side completely dominated the Moldovans and eventually got a well-deserved result. The Nerazzurri opened the scoring in the first half thanks to Edin Dzeko’s fine volley before Sebastien Thill leveled things up through a magnificent free-kick
Inter restored their lead thanks to Arturo Vidal before Stefan de Vrij added a third. In the end, it was a fitting result for the Nerazzurri who played some brilliant attacking football on the day.
? | FORMAZIONE
— Inter ??? (@Inter) October 19, 2021
Le scelte del nostro regista Simone Inzaghi per #InterSheriff #UCL #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/K59gJrhRZl
Simone Inzaghi made a few changes from Inter’s 3-1 defeat to Lazio with Lautaro Martinez back in the starting XI, partnering Dzeko upfront. Ivan Perisic, was moved to left wing-back while Federico Dimarco started at centre-back.
For the first time this season, Alessandro Bastoni was benched. Vidal made his first start of 2021/22 ahead of Roberto Gagliardini.
Sheriff were entering the game at the back of a 4-0 victory over Sfintul Gheorghe and all but one of the scorers from that fixture were starting today.
⚽️⚔️?ФК «Шериф» сыграет сегодня с «Интером» в желтой форме.
— FC Sheriff (@FotclubSheriff) October 19, 2021
⚽️⚔️?FC “Sheriff” will play today with “Interom” in yellow form. pic.twitter.com/IfM21oLj0K
Inter dominated possession throughout the first half and had some good scoring chances during the first 30 minutes. Firstly, Dzeko set up a chance for Denzel Dumfries but the goalkeeper Dumitru Celeadnic managed to get to the ball before he could do anything.
Later, Martinez gave a precise pass to the Bosnian but the Moldovan was once again there to foil Inter. Despite playing as a centre-back, Dimarco made a few runs forward and also took a shot at goal but it went over the bar.
The Nerazzurri eventually opened the scoring in the 35th minute thanks to a fine volley from Dzeko. The visitors tried to equalize with Cristiano forcing Samir Handanovic to make a save.
1⃣ | ATTO
— Inter ??? (@Inter) October 19, 2021
Si chiude la prima parte
⚽️ 3⃣4⃣’- @EdDzeko
Fin qui decide il suo capolavoro#InterSheriff 1⃣-0⃣#ForzaInter ⚫️?#UCL pic.twitter.com/0sjzyHNAeG
Sheriff equalized early in the second half thanks to Thill, who scored his second Champions League goal of the season. However, Inter didn’t take long to restore their lead as Vidal found the net after receiving a pass from Dzeko.
The Nerazzurri extended their lead shortly after, thanks to De Vrij, who scored his first goal in Europe for the club. Inter continued to attack and often caused trouble to the Sheriff backline with Perisic hitting the crossbar.
In the end, the hosts were able to hold on to their two-goal lead and won 3-1, thus registering their first win in the Champions League this season. Inter are still third in their group with four points, two behind Real Madrid and Sheriff, who have six each.
Next up for the Nerazzurri is a tough Derby d’Italia against Juventus on Sunday.
MATCH SCORECARD
October 19, 2021 – Champions League 2021-2022 Group D
INTER – SHERIFF TIRASPOL 3-1
SCORERS: 34′ Dzeko (I), 52′ Thill (S), 58′ Vidal (I), 67′ Vrij (I)
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Dimarco (53′ Bastoni), Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic (85′ Sensi), Vidal (75′ Gagliardini), Perisic (85′ Kolarov), Dzeko (75′ Sanchez), Martinez (Vecino, Ranocchia, Correa, Cordaz, D’Ambrosio, Darmian, Radu); Coach: Inzaghi |
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SHERIFF (4-3-3): Celeadnic, Costanza, Dulanto, Arboleda, Cristiano, Addo (75′ Nikolov), Thill, Kolovos (84′ Cojocaru), Castaneda (46′ Radeljic), Bruno, Traore (Julien, Kyabou, Pascenco, Yansane); Coach: Vemydub |
REFEREE: Makkelie (Netherlands)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Dimarco (I), Cojocaru (S); Added Time: 1st Half: 1′, 2nd Half: 3′