Inter frustrated by Pyatov and the woodwork in 0 - 0 draw with Shakhtar

KIEV – Inter head home from Ukraine with a point to their name but feel that they should have earned more. An even contest ended all-square after the deadlock remained unbroken for the 90 minutes, despite Inter’s promising attacking play. While Edin Dzeko will be ruing his missed chance and Nicola Barella wishing the goal frame was a couple of centimetres higher, Joaquin Correa and Stefan de Vrij can count themselves unlucky as veteran keeper Andriy Pyatov pulled off two top-drawer saves to deny them late on in the encounter.

There was simply no way through. It appears that the goalscoring gods are reluctant to smile on Inter when they visit the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, because just as in the last Champions League campaign, the Nerazzurri return from Ukraine goalless. It was history repeating itself more than just in the scoreline: Inter left the woodwork rattling again through Barella's lovely effort, and were met by a wall of a goalkeeper in battle-hardened Pyatov, mimicking teammate Anatoliy Trubin’s watertight performance in the 2020/21 campaign. Inzaghi's men have now claimed a point after two matchdays but are yet to find their feet in front of goal, and the following four games will be decisive for Inter if they want to avoid an early exit from Europe’s premier competition. They’ll have to wait until October 19 to make amends, when they face Sheriff Tiraspol at San Siro.

The first half lacked the intensity of Inter’s last Champions League runout against Real Madrid and was also missing the goalmouth action and full-throttle performance of Saturday’s Atalanta game. Yet the way the game unfolded should be no surprise to anyone. Roberto De Zerbi deployed a 4-2-3-1 system, which at times morphed into a 4-1-4-1. It gave Inter no breathing space and Shakhtar were relentlessly at them across the pitch, as well as stripping their attackers of any sense of inspiration and creativity.

Simone Inzaghi set his side out in 3-5-2, with notable changes being Federico Dimarco on the left flank and Matias Vecino playing behind the forwards. It was a game that required poise, patience and pouncing on chances, searching for opens and moments of inspiration.

Shakhtar’s build-up play consisted of neat movement and tidy passing triangles, through which they found men in space and numerical superiority. The first to fire a warning shot at Samir Handanovic was Solomon, who burst inside from the left with purpose before firing just wide. De Zerbi's strategy took a blow when Lassina Traore was stretchered off after only ten minutes following a coming together with Denzel Dumfries. As a result, Inter were able to find more joy down the right, albeit restrictedly as the Ukrainians defended deep and further caused the Nerazzurri a headache by packing out their midfield with five men.

Nicolo Barella sought to find the breakthrough but his curler was denied by the woodwork, the same one which caused the Nerazzurri pain last season. Shakhtar would then attack in waves, forcing Inter to retreat. Lautaro Martinez was lively in attack, while strike partner Edin Dzeko was wasteful in front of goal. Neither the Nerazzurri nor the hosts were producing anything to write home about, and so the half drew to a close, with the lingering feeling that the opening blow could be struck at any point.

Shakhtar came bursting out of the blocks after the break and for a brief period almost had Inter against the ropes. De Zerbi's playmakers darted around and created danger, moving the ball quickly and prodding the Nerazzurri’s weaknesses. Once again Milan Skriniar proved his worth to the team with a life-saving intervention in the 49th minute. The Slovakian also delt adeptly with various Shakhtar onslaughts, allowing his side the opportunity to break forward and the chance to head up the other end and try to score and supplying Lautaro with a good goalscoring opportunity.

The home side dominated possession overall, enjoying 70% of the ball. They built up play gradually from the back, before bursting into action further down the field, yet were always met by Man of the Match defensive warrior Skriniar, who repelled whatever was thrown at him. While Inzaghi's changes breathed new life into the Nerazzurri's attack, unlike in the Atalanta match they were unable to conjure up any match-changing moments. 

The game carried on as such until the final whistle, gradually losing steam. Yet there was time for two heart-in-mouth moments for the hosts, but Pyatov managed to keep the Italians at bay. The 37-year-old proved a matchwinner twice in the dying minutes, firstly stopping Correa’s drive and then denying a de Vrij header from a corner. The saves proved vital for Shakhtar as they claimed a point, while Inter leave Kiev for the second consecutive season without finding the net. This 0-0 draw means three out of the last four meetings between these sides ended goalless. 

With one point after the first two Champions League matchdays, Inter have four games to turn it around but little margin for error. 

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 Inter SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-2-3-1): 30 Pyatov; 2 Dodo, 5 Marlon, 22 Matviyenko, 31 Ismaily (4 Kryvstov, 78); 7 Maycon, 6 Stepanenko; 38 Pedrinho, 21 Alan Patrick (11 Marlos, 85), 19 Solomon (20 Mudryk, 78); 23 Traore (14 Tete, 11). Subs not used: 81 Trubin, 3 Vitao, 8 Marcos Antonio, 15 Bondarenko, 20 Konoplia, 44 Korniienko, 45 Sikan, 77 Bondar. Coach: Roberto De Zerbi.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 de Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries, 8 Vecino (5 Gagliardini, 81), 77 Brozovic (20 Calhanoglu, 55), 23 Barella, 32 Dimarco (14 Perisic, 81); 9 Dzeko (19 Correa, 55), 10 Lautaro (7 Sanchez, 72).Subs not used: 21 Cordaz, 97 Radu, 11 Kolarov, 13 Ranocchia, 22 Vidal, 33 D'Ambrosio, 36 Darmian.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Dumfries (I)Other: Coach Roberto De Zerbi received a yellow card (SD)Added time: 3+2 minutes

Referee: Kovacs (ROM).Assistants: Marinescu, Artene (ROM).Fourth official: Chivulete (ROM).Var: Fritz (GER).Assistant VAR: Hategan (ROM)