Sanchez and Calhanoglu, Inter beat Salzburg!

That’s how it is in the Champions League. You can’t falter, you can’t get it wrong. You need to make that one extra decisive pass, do that extra bit of running. And incidents also need to go your way. Everything is required, and still that might not be enough. In this competition, it’s all about the details. Inter, with real determination and mentality, seized the moments against a Salzburg side full of desire and technical quality. Even though it was tough, Inter had plenty of cards to play, including their home crowd, who – quite literally – pushed the team to victory. That chant that reverberated around the stadium led to the opening goal. It was an invitation to score, and it was taken up by those on the pitch. And the singing continued even after the visitors had scored an equaliser, after Calhanoglu had restored Inter’s advantage, and also when Inter were forced to dig in during the closing stages to see the game out. Inter 2-1 FC Salzburg. 7 points. We keep on pushing.

Inter took the lead in the 19th minute: Sanchez received the ball from Mkhitaryan and confidently swept home for his first Nerazzurri goal in one and a half years. Salzburg hit back after the restart through Gloukh, who netted with his right foot following a fine move. Nevertheless, Inzaghi’s side were able to respond: seven minutes later, Frattesi won a penalty that Calhanoglu stepped up to convert. In the closing stages Lautaro had a goal ruled out due to Frattesi’s offside position, and the Nerazzurri held firm to stop Salzburg coming away with a draw.

INTER 2-1 FC SALZBURG

Goalscorers: 19' Sanchez (I), 57' Gloukh (S), 64' Calhanoglu (I) pen.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard, 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries (36 Darmian 65'), 16 Frattesi, 20 Calhanoglu (21 Asllani 74'), 22 Mkhitaryan (23 Barella 46'), 30 Carlos Augusto; 70 Sanchez (9 Thuram 65'), 10 Lautaro (14 Klaassen 84'). Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 77 Audero, 15 Acerbi, 31 Bisseck, 32 Dimarco. Head Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

FC SALZBURG (4-2-3-1): 24 Schlager; 70 Dedic, 22 Solet, 31 Pavlovic, 17 Ulmer; 18 Bidstrup (19 Konate 72'), 27 Gourna-Douath (7 Capaldo 85'); 10 Sucic, 30 Gloukh (32 Forson 85'), 14 Kjaergaard (45 Nene 72'); 23 Simic (21 Ratkov 72'). Substitutes: 1 Manti, 41 Krumrey, 6 Baidoo, 15 Diambou, 39 Morgalla, 45 Nene. Head Coach: Gerhard Struber.

Booked: Simic (S), Mkhitaryan (I), Gourna-Douath (S). Note: Gerhard Struber (S) booked. Added time: 2' - 5'

Referee: Letexier (FRA). Assistants: Mugnier, Rahmouni (FRA). Fourth official: Stinat (FRA). VAR: Brisard (FRA). VAR assistant: Millot (FRA).