A 'Reassured' Inter Notch Up Their 3rd Straight UEFA Champions League Win

Written By Onyeka Daniel

It was another match and another win for last year’s finalist in the UEFA Champions League as Italian giants, Inter Milan got their third consecutive win in the league phase to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages with a resounding win in Belgium.

More Details

The Nerazzurri survived an early scare to sweep Union Saint-Gilloise aside 4-0 in Belgium, maintaining a perfect UCL record including the first Francesco Pio Esposito goal. They came Into this game after six consecutive victories in all competition, including European wins over Ajax and Slavia Praha.

LATEST POSTS

Marcus Thuram, Matteo Darmian and Raffaele Di Gennaro were still out of action, but Cristian Chivu rotated with Francesco Pio Esposito, Davide Frattesi, Piotr Zielinski, Carlos Augusto, Yann Bisseck and Stefan de Vrij stepping in for others who had started over the weekend.

Union Saint-Gilloise saw coach Sebastien Pocognoli poached by AS Monaco this month, so David Hubert only made his debut at the weekend. They had won 3-1 away to PSV Eindhoven on their Champions League debut, then lost 4-0 to Newcastle United In their second game.

It was an extraordinary start for the hosts, who had four big chances in the opening four minutes. First Promise David shrugged off De Vrij and Bisseck to force a tough save out of Yann Sommer at the near post. On the resulting corner, Lautaro Martinez performed a desperate goal-line clearance on Christian Burgess.

Frattesi volleyed wide at the back post and Hakan Calhanoglu stung the goalkeeper’s gloves from distance, then Pio Esposito nodded his corner over from six yards. Lautaro forced a big save from the goalkeeper at the near post, but Inter scored on the resulting corner.

Yann Bisseck’s header was deflected into the path of Denzel Dumfries to volley in from six yards and the captain should’ve made it 2-0 moments later when one-on-one, but stumbled during a shimmy and allowed Kjell Scherpen to smother at his feet but they were not to be denied eventually.

Inter did manage to double their lead with a well-worked team move before half-time, as Dumfries gathered a long Alessandro Bastoni ball, rolled it across for Pio Esposito, who generously kept it going for Lautaro Martinez to sweep first time into the far top corner with the inside of the right boot.

Straight after the restart, Lautaro Martinez’s header was charged down by Mac Allister’s fingertips with an arm straight up over his head. Following the VAR review, Calhanoglu converted the penalty for 3-0 and Pio Esposito should’ve had his first Champions League goal.

Dumfries pulled back from the by-line, but the 20-year-old somehow scuffed the finish wide from six yards. Frattesi forced a save after going clear on a Petar Sucic through ball, but Esposito did finally get his goal when sliding in to meet the Ange-Yoan Bonny pull-back from the left by-line.

Reacting to the game after the final whistle, Chivu revealed that they nneeded to be understood, reassured, and also shaken up from last season, as their fine form continued with this resounding victory that helped them maintain their 100 per cent record in the tournament this season.

“This team needed to find its confidence, put the end of last season behind them, the disappointments after such high expectations. Unfortunately, football can be a bit of a bastard at times, and it leaves nasty feelings behind,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia in his post match interview.

“The team needed to be understood, reassured, and also shaken up, because they still have that fire in them and desire to work hard to be at the top again this season.” Pio Esposito has now scored his first goal in Serie A, the Champions League, and for the senior Italy squad, having turned 20 in June.

“Young players need to be given a chance, because if we wait too long, the years pass and they will never be ready. You have to throw them in there and see what they’re made of. If they have character, a work ethic and spirit of sacrifice, accompanied by teammates who know what they are doing, then it helps.”

Inter have now won seven games in a row between Serie A and the Champions League, despite missing Thuram through injury and for Fabio Capello in the Sky Sport Italia studio he said that Chivu’s approach to working psychologically with the players reminded him of himself.

“It is all down to the players, because they accept being trained and working hard, leaving their ego aside. I hope to have even half the career you did, I hope to be a winner like you. I was fortunate that you called me to Roma and let me play at a high level, so I thank you for that.”

“We were also players, so we know talent is important in a squad, but that they need the right attitude too. I love when players are open to new ideas, to leaving their pride to one side, and putting themselves at the disposal of the group.” He continued as he rotated the squad for this trip to Belgium.

The idea was to have some players fresh and fit for this Saturday’s Serie A showdown with Napoli, who were crushed 6-2 by PSV Eindhoven. “I learned in life that when you win a game, you have to enjoy it, not think about the next one yet.” The Romanian coach replied.

“Nothing is to be taken for granted, especially a 4-0 victory. I will have time to think about the next game.” He further added and as for Dutch defender, Denzel Dumfries who opened the scoring for the win and also got the man of the match award, he also spoke about the win.

He praised his team and coach Chivu in the aftermath of the match. “It is a very important victory for us. It was a tough start, but we made changes after 15-20 minutes and played very well as a team,” Dumfries told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

Inter maintained their 100% record to the league phase to put themselves at the summit of the table, with three wins from three games, alongside PSG and Arsenal and after a shaky start to the 25-26 season, Inter have bounced back with an impressive run of victories as the team begins to take shape under Chivu.

“I think at the start of the season we played well, but the defeats to Udinese and Juventus were unlucky. After that, we realised we were on the right path, and have to continue like this. Chivu is a coach who talks a lot to the players, he is a strong coach, and he gave us confidence.” He further added.

Read Also: Two Names Confirmed As Targets To Strengthen Inter’s Defense In The Next Summer Transfer Window

They must now get their heads down in anticipation of Saturday’s huge Serie A clash against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples and will be hoping to grab another win which will definitely have them as the favorite to win the Scudetto this season of they can defeat the reigning champions.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com