Preview: Inter vs. Shakhtar Donetsk · prediction, team news, line-ups
Inter Milan host Shakhtar Donetsk at San Siro on Wednesday 21 October, kicking off at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST), in Matchday 3 of the Champions League league phase.
The Nerazzurri sit 29th of 36 with zero points and a goal difference of -2. The Ukrainians are 11th with four points and a goal difference of +2.
Match preview
Inter are a team of contrasts. They are level at the top of Serie A with 19 points from seven games, yet they have lost both European outings: 2-1 away to Real Madrid and 4-3 at home to Club Brugge.
They scored three against Brugge and still lost. They have conceded six and scored four in two Champions League games, and the issue is balance when the wing-backs push forward.
At San Siro, their league-phase record reads one defeat with three goals for and four against. Domestic form is healthier, with a 3-1 win at Bologna on Saturday 17 October, a 3-0 win over Parma and a 2-2 draw at Roma.
Lautaro Martinez is their top scorer in the competition with two goals, but he is unavailable. Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram are the expected strike partnership.
Arda Turan's Shakhtar arrive with four points. They drew 1-1 at PSV Eindhoven and beat AEK Athens 3-1 on 14 October.
They have won each of their last five matches, a friendly included, and kept three clean sheets in that run. They beat Kolos Kovalivka 2-1 in the league on 17 October after a 3-0 win at Veres Rivne.
Their only European away game ended 1-1. Eurosport notes that they average 0.94 xG per game in the Champions League, compared with 1.98 in the Ukrainian league.
The head-to-head favours Inter, who are unbeaten in seven official meetings with three wins and four draws, conceding just once, according to Opta. The last five were 2-0 in November 2021, 0-0 in September 2021, 0-0 in December 2020, 0-0 in October 2020 and 5-0 in the Europa League in August 2020.
Shakhtar have failed to score in all four of their Champions League meetings with Inter. Another blank would equal the longest such run against a single opponent in the competition, at five games.
With 36 teams in the table, Inter are 29th and need points to stay in touch with the qualification places. Cristian Chivu took responsibility before the game and called for more focus and motivation. Harm Osmers is the referee.
Inter · recent results
- WBologna 1-3 Inter
- LInter 3-4 Club Brugge KV
- WInter 3-0 Parma
- WInter 2-0 Lumezzane
- DAS Roma 2-2 Inter
Shakhtar Donetsk · recent results
- WShakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Kolos Kovalivka
- WShakhtar Donetsk 3-1 AEK Athens FC
- WVeres Rivne 0-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
- WShakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Kryvbas KR
- WShakhtar Donetsk 3-0 LNZ Cherkasy
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Team news
Inter will be without Lautaro Martinez because of a thigh muscle injury. Chivu indicated that his return is expected after the international break. C. Jones, Pavard and Stones are also out.
In goal, Josep Martinez is the favourite in several previews, although Provedel is an alternative. Bisseck, Akanji and Bastoni are expected to form the back three, with Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski and Dimarco in midfield and Esposito alongside Thuram.
Shakhtar are without Eguinaldo (shoulder), Fesyun (illness), Ghram (injury) and Marlon (muscle injury). I. Azarovi is doubtful with a knee problem. Korniyenko, Obah, Puzankov, Shved and Tvardovskyi are listed as off the roster.
A 4-1-4-1 is expected, with Riznyk in goal, Ocheretko as the anchor and Kaua Elias leading the line.
Inter have the urgency, home advantage and an unbeaten record against Shakhtar, although they have shipped six goals in two games and lose their focal point without Lautaro. The visitors are confident but have scored only once in seven meetings. A 2-1 home win reflects Inter's defensive fragility and Shakhtar's lack of cutting edge.
Match odds
+18