Inter 5 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk, match review

DÜSSELDORF – In the post-match euphoria, we described yesterday’s game as a fencing match, with two opponents on guard ready to strike a decisive blow, which then transformed into a boxing showdown and finished with a knockout. Looking back now in slightly calmer circumstances, the extent of Inter’s semi-final victory over Shakhtar Donetsk becomes clear. We see how it came about, plus the tactics and statistics involved. We see just how deserved the win was for Inter, who, quite simply, flew into the final.

Shakhtar’s game plan was clear: they avoided a high press, allowing Handanovic, Godin and all of the deeper-lying Nerazzurri players space to build from the back. This was a deliberate choice in the hope that their defence wouldn’t be left exposed and their two central defenders wouldn’t have to deal with one-on-one situations against Lautaro and Lukaku. It was a choice that didn’t pay off. In playing how they did, they forewent the possibility of winning the ball back high up the pitch, something which Inter, on the other hand, did expertly: at least three of the Nerazzurri’s five goals came about in this way.

Shakhtar were aiming to keep hold of the ball, but then they kept losing it at the crucial moment: just as they entered the final third. It was at that point that the Inter players intervened at the right time, with Nicolò Barella, a man unleashed, and Lautaro, in inspired form, leading the way. But all of Coach Conte’s team played a part.

One: the number of shots Shakhtar Donetsk had on target, with Handanovic preventing the Ukrainians from equalising. It proved to be a key moment: after this, the Nerazzurri ran riot. Step by step, a 1-0 scoreline turned into 5-0. Inter had twelve shots, nine of which were on target. They scored five from these attempts. It was a very efficient evening.

Nicolò Barella produced another total performance last night, with one statistic particularly noteworthy: the Italian midfielder regained possession on eleven occasions, almost an obsession. A tireless engine, he was always ready to turn defence into attack, which is what happened for the first goal: it was thanks to his work that Lautaro was able to head home to open the scoring. Barella’s selflessness may have resulted in a few misplaced passes or the ball being lost, but he was always looking to push forward. Indeed, he had 22 touches in the opposition half and produced three crosses.

The beneficiary was Lautaro Martinez. Always on the move, a real thorn in Shakhtar’s side. His header to break the deadlock was his first goal in the Europa League this campaign and typically came in the opening 30 minutes of play. But Lautaro didn’t stop there: he had four shots in total, hitting the target every time, and managed to double his tally with a trademark right-footed strike from outside the box. What’s more, he set Lukaku up to make it 4-0. It was another successful outing for the Nerazzurri duo, with the Belgian striker making it 33 for the season.

Finally, before our thoughts fully turn to the final against Sevilla, we’d like to mention Danilo D’Ambrosio. He bagged his fifth goal of the season and was very much involved, engaging in 14 duels. He made both an attacking and defensive contribution, helping Inter finish with a clean sheet. As for the Nerazzurri defence, Godin had the most touches, de Vrij won the most duels and Bastoni was once again excellent in his build-up play. It was another brilliant display from the backline.