Inter Milan find themselves in a tight corner after dropping both of their opening Champions League fixtures, and the pressure is mounting fast ahead of this home clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. A loss away to Real Madrid can be swallowed as one of those tough European nights, but shipping four goals at home to Club Brugge has left the fans restless and the squad under real scrutiny. Now they must pick up maximum points against a side that has already shown it can frustrate bigger teams on the continent.
Team Form
Inter have looked shaky at the back lately and need to steady the ship quickly if they want to stay in the hunt for the last 24 spots. Shakhtar, on the other hand, are flying in the Ukrainian league where they barely break sweat even when fielding a second string side, yet their European results tell a different story of grit and counter-attacking threat.
- Inter lost both Champions League games so far, conceding five goals in total
- Shakhtar remain unbeaten in four of their last seven meetings with Inter
- The Ukrainian side picked up a valuable point against PSV and then beat AEK 3-1 away
Tactical Analysis
Arda Turan’s men are comfortable sitting deep and hitting teams on the break, something that could suit them perfectly at the San Siro where Inter will be forced to push forward. Expect plenty of midfield battles and set-piece moments, with both coaches likely to keep things tight early on to avoid another goal-fest. Shakhtar’s wing play and quick transitions could cause problems if Inter’s full-backs get caught too high.
The match carries plenty of history too, with three previous Champions League clashes between these sides ending goalless. That pattern suggests caution could once again be the order of the day, especially with Shakhtar happy to play for a draw given their current standing in the group.
Betting Proposal
Given the defensive records on show and the importance of the result for Inter, a low-scoring affair looks the smartest call. The sides are unlikely to throw caution completely to the wind, so the smart money is on a cagey evening with not too many goals. Under 3.5 goals at 1.95 stands out as the value types here.
