Could Inter pull off a win despite missing Lautaro and a second‑half red card for Bastoni? The Nerazzurri edged Shakhtar 1‑0, finally breaking their league‑stage losing streak after defeats to Madrid (2‑1) and Bruges (3‑4).
This time it was Ivorian Bonny, not Pio Esposito, who stepped in for Lautaro and linked up with Marcus Thuram up front. The Frenchman opened the scoring chance with a cross that Riznyk turned into a corner, all within three minutes of kick‑off.
Soon after, Inter punished Shakhtar’s naïveté on the ball. Though Calhanoglu, a former teammate of Arda, missed the target, the hosts dominated, firing up to seven shots in the first 25 minutes. Only two found the net, with Riznyk deflecting a Bonny strike at the 21’ mark.
Shakhtar’s only danger came from Pedrinho, who was withdrawn after a half‑hour following a mishap with fellow Brazilian Carlos Augusto. Late in the first half, Bondar challenged Josep Martínez with a diving header, which the Spaniard brushed away with a strong stretch.
Ukraine’s push continued after the break, forcing Chivu into a triple substitution: Bisseck, Diouf and Zielinski replaced Spence, Dimarco and Calhanoglu. The tide turned against Inter when Bastoni collected two yellows in two minutes, the second for an off‑the‑ball clash with Ocheretko.
When Shakhtar seemed to have the edge, Mkhitaryan entered and set up Carlos Augusto against Riznyk. The Brazilian, now playing centrally and on the left, couldn’t miss, capitalising on Bisseck’s entry.
For my money, Inter showed resilience despite the odds.
Shakhtar
View match details
Inter: Josep Martínez; Carlos Augusto, Akanji, Bastoni; Spence (Andy Diouf, 59′), Barella, Calhanoglu (Zielinski, 59′), P. Sucic (Luis Henrique, 73′), Dimarco (Bisseck, 59′); Marcus Thuram and Bonny (Mkhitaryan, 75′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk; Vinicius Tobias, Bondar, Matvienko, Pedro Henrique; Ocheretko (Isaque, 72′); Alisson Santana (Bruninho, 83′), Pedrinho (Nazaryna, 32′), Marlon Gomes, Mendoza (Newerton, 72′) and K. Elias (Lacina Traoré, 72′)
Goal: 1‑0 Carlos Augusto (77′)
Cards: RED: Bastoni (66′ and 68′) YELLOWS: Ocheretko (36′), Thuram (54′), Marlon Gomes (68′), Sucic (72′)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Germany)
Spectators: 73,352 at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.
Now, can Inter build on this momentum and advance further in the Champions League?