PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC - SEPTEMBER 13: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale scores the goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Viktoria Plzen and FC Internazionale at Doosan Arena on September 13, 2022 in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

Dzeko and Dumfries with the goals as Inter beat Viktoria Plzeň 2 - 0

Team

— Sep 13th 2022

4 MIN READING

Inzaghi's side record their first victory in Champions League Group C

VITKORIA PLZEŇ 0-2 INTER

Goalscorers: 20' Dzeko (I), 71' Dumfries (I)

VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (4-2-3-1): 36 Stanek; 24 Havel (44 Holik 76'), 2 Hejda, 4 Pernica, 21 Jemelka; 23 Kalvach (99 Ndiaye 76'), 20 Bucha; 7 Sykora (77 Jirka 71'), 88 Vikanova (25 Cermak 85'), 18 Mosquera; 15 Chory (90 Bassey 71'). Substitutes: 13 Tvrdon, Jedlicka, 3 Tijani, 6 Pilar. Coach: Michal Bílek.

INTER (3-5-2): 24 Onana; 37 Skriniar, 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni (33 D'Ambrosio 64'); 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella (5 Gagliardini 72'), 77 Brozovic (14 Asllani 84'), 22 Mkhitaryan (20 Calhanoglu 72'), 8 Gosens; 9 Dzeko, 11 Correa (10 Lautaro 72'). Substitutes: 1 Handanovic, 21 Cordaz, 6 De Vrij, 12 Bellanova, 32 Dimarco, 36 Darmian. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Sykora (VP), Jemelka (VP), Bastoni (I), Gagliardini (I). Sent off: Bucha (VP) in the 60th minute. Added time: 0' - 3'.

Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI). Assistants: Bekim Zogaj, Jonas Erni (SUI). Fourth official: Lukas Fähndrich (SUI). VAR: Fedayi San (SUI). VAR assistant: Lionel Tschudi (SUI).

It was what they wanted, and it was what they got. Inter headed to Plzeň with one objective in mind: to win, pick up three points and get themselves up and running in the Champions League. And this is what they managed to do thanks to a professional, attentive and precise display. A 2-0 victory thanks to a goal in each half: Dzeko bagged the first from Correa’s assist before going from goalscorer to provider, setting up Dumfries for the Nerazzurri’s second. The result was never really in doubt, especially as the hosts played the final half an hour with just ten men following Buca’s sending-off for a really poor challenge on Barella. Inzaghi’s men have now won their last two matches in all competitions and, having picked up their first three points in Europe, can start to turn their attentions to the league again, with a trip to Udine coming up this weekend.

Acerbi was selected to start in the centre of defence, thus making his Nerazzurri debut. Meanwhile, Onana got the nod in between the sticks and Dzeko partnered Correa up front. It was a slow start to proceedings, despite the noise being generated by the 11,000-strong crowd inside the stadium. In the 16th minute, Acerbi threatened in the box. It was the prelude to the opener. When Inzaghi’s side managed to free up space, the chances arrived. Gosens managed to control the ball in the box and play it to Correa, who then picked out Dzeko. The Bosnian did the rest, stroking it home with his right foot to make it 1-0.

Even if they were able to counter quickly at times, the hosts failed to muster any real response and looked tame in the final third. As for the Nerazzurri, they could have doubled their advantage shortly before half-time as Brozovic charged forward on the counter. The Croat found Dzeko, whose shot was saved by Stanek, with Mkhitaryan’s follow-up then blocked by the Czech defence.

Inter began the second half brightly, trying to kill off the match. First, Gosens tested the goalkeeper with a header from Bastoni’s free-kick and Skriniar couldn’t quite convert the rebound. Then, the home shot-stopper got down to deny Dzeko, while Dumfries also missed an excellent opportunity with his head. The Nerazzurri were playing well and putting some really nice moves together, but there was still just one goal in it.

On the hour mark, Bucha was sent off for a poor challenge on Barella. However, this seemed to fire Viktoria up, with the hosts not afraid to throw men forward. Sykora had a go from inside the box as the Czechs attacked and then… conceded. Indeed, Inter hit them on the counter to make it 2-0: Barella advanced up the pitch and found Dzeko, who set up Dumfries for his first Champions League goal.

During the closing stages, there was time for Asllani to make his debut and a great save from Onana. A win, a clean sheet and three points. Mission accomplished.