EURO EXPRESS | Talking points on the game against Shakhtar

MILAN - As we approach Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Inter, let’s dive into another episode of Euro Express - our segment dedicated to European competitions! Let’s take a look at five talking points on matchday 2 in Group B of this season’s Champions League. Included are: the recent Europa League semi-final, our record in Ukraine, “Spider-man” D’Ambrosio and more...

FOURTH MEETING, LAST TIME OUT IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in competitive football. After the two-legged tie in summer 2005, which Inter won on aggregate, we only have to go back to last August to find the most recent game between Inter and Shakhtar. We are, of course, talking about that Europa League semi-final in Düsseldorf on 17 August, which Inter comfortably won 5-0 thanks to braces from Lautaro and Lukaku and a goal from D’Ambrosio.

SAME SHAKHTAR; NOT MANY CHANGES The team that we are set to face is virtually the same as it was in August. Shakhtar’s Portuguese coach Luis Castro is still at the helm of a group, which contains a mix of Brazilian flair and Ukrainian steel.

PLAYING IN KYIV, POTENTIALLY 10,000 FANS IN ATTENDANCE Shakhtar have been playing in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for a few years now. The game (at 18:55 CET) will be played at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex in Kyiv, over 750km from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian state laws allow for the attendance of fans numbering up to 15% of the stadium’s capacity. Therefore, up to 10,000 fans will be allowed to attend tomorrow’s game. Inter have not played in front of a crowd since the game in Razgrad last February.

THREE INTER WINS IN UKRAINE Inter have played in Ukraine a total of four times previously, with a record of one draw and three wins. The most famous win was against Dinamo Kyiv in the Champions League in 2009/10, with the late comeback and goals from Milito and Sneijder. Inter’s last trip to Ukraine was in 2014 to face Dnipro, which the Nerazzurri won 1-0 thanks to a D’Ambrosio goal.

10/12/2003    Dinamo Kiev 1-1 Inter    73' Adani, 86' Rincon 10/08/2005    Shakhtar Donetsk 0-2 Inter   69' Martins, 80' Adriano 04/11/2009    Dinamo Kiev 1-2 Inter    21' Shevchenko, 88' Milito, 91' Sneijder 18/09/2014    Dnipro 0-1 Inter     73' D'Ambrosio,

SHAKHTAR ON TOP OF THE GROUP The Ukrainian side currently lead Group B after they beat Real Madrid at Los Blancos’ training ground in Valdebebas. The stunning win over the Spanish giants came after goals from Tetê and Solomon, and a Varane own-goal.