Shakhtar vs Inter 0-0: Nerazzurri Held to Goalless Draw in Ukraine

Champions League, European Cups, Inter, International Football, Italian Football, Serie A

For the third time in a row, Inter and Shakhtar played out a goalless draw. While both teams tried to find the net throughout the match, Roberto de Zerbi’s side seemed to be the more dominant out of the two on a number of occasions. 

Despite Shakhtar troubling Inter’s defence a lot more than the other way round, the Nerazzurri had the best scoring opportunity of the game as Nicolo Barella’s shot in the first half hit the crossbar. Throughout the game, the Serie A champions had some really good chances to find the net which they probably should have made the most out of.

However, at the end of the day, Simone Inzaghi and his players won’t be too disappointed to take a point from the match and will be looking to register their first win of the Champions League when they host Sheriff Tiraspol a few weeks later.

Shakhtar saw several changes in the lineup as skipper Andriy Pyatov and Manor Solomon were the only players from their previous match who made the starting XI today.

Inter made fewer changes than their Ukrainian opponents with Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco being the starting wing-backs instead of Matteo Darmian and Ivan Perisic who were in the lineup against Atalanta.

Matias Vecino made his second start of the season while Hakan Calhanoglu was on the bench.

Shakhtar started the match well with Manor Solomon taking an early shot at goal but thankfully for Inter, it was just wide. A few minutes later, the Ukrainians were dealt an early blow as striker Lassina Traore was stretchered off the pitch due to an injury he sustained after a tussle with Dumfries.

Barella had a glorious chance to open the scoring for Inter but his shot hit the crossbar and Edin Dzeko was unable to find the target on the rebound. Shakhtar continued to attack and Tete had a chance to put them ahead but like Solomon, his shot was wide.

While the Nerazzurri’s defenders were kept busy, their attackers also had chances with Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez both coming close to scoring. 

Shakhtar began the second half strongly and the Inter backline was called upon to make some crucial interventions. First, Dumfries kept the ball out before Milan Skriniar made a vital challenge to deny what looked a certain goal for Pedrinho.

Both sides made a number of changes as the game entered the final few minutes. This was where it truly rose to life and Pyatov had to make a few crucial saves, first from Joaquin Correa’s curling shot and moments later, from Stefan de Vrij’s header.

In the end, the match ended goalless with Inter and Shakhtar both securing the first point of their respective Champions League campaigns. The Nerazzurri next take on De Zerbi’s old team Sassuolo on Saturday.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

September 28, 2021 – Champions League 2021-2022 Group B
SHAKHTAR DONETSK – INTER 0-0

SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-1-4-1): Pyatov, Dodo, Marlon, Matviyenko, Ismaily (78′ Kryvtsov), Stepanenko, Solomon (78′ Mudryk), Maycon, Alan Patrick (85′ Marlos), Pedrinho, Traore (11′ Tete) (Vitao, Marcos Antonio, Bondarenko, Konoplya, Korniyenko, Sikan, Bondar, Trubin) Coach: De Zerbi
INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Vecino (82′ Gagliardini), Brozovic (55′ Calhanoglu), Barella, Dimarco (82′ Perisic), Dzeko (55′ Correa), Martinez (72′ Sanchez) (Kolarov, Ranocchia, Cordaz, Vidal, D’Ambrosio, Darmian, Radu)  Coach: S. Inzaghi

REFEREE: Mr. Kovacs from Romania
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Dumfries (I); Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 2′

Related posts:

  1. Inter vs Shakhtar 2-0: Nerazzurri Get Closer to Round of 16
  2. Inter vs Real Madrid 0-1: Rodrygo Late Winner Upsets Nerazzurri
  3. Inter vs Real Madrid Player Ratings: Rodrygo Snatches Late Winner
  4. Inter vs Sheriff 3-1: Dzeko Stars as Nerazzurri Register First UCL Win