Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi was in a reflective mood after his team drew 0-0 in their Champions League group stage clash with Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this evening.
Speaking to Inter TV after the match, the 45-year-old remarked that it is as though the result was inevitable, with the Nerazzurri having also played out two goalless draws with the Ukrainians on the way to elimination from the group stage under Antonio Conte last season as well.
Inter had beaten Shakhtar by an emphatic scoreline to knock them out of the Europa League from the semi-final two seasons ago, but since then the encounters between the two teams have been more balanced.
This time around Shakhtar had brought in former Benevento and Sassuolo boss Roberto De Zerbi and it always looked as though this team would be difficult opposition for Inzaghi’s men.
So it proved, as neither side were able to take any of their goalscoring chances and both had to settle for a hard-fought point.
“Let’s say we have had a lot of chances, but even if you can’t win you don’t have to lose,” Inzaghi said. “We faced an opponent with a lot of quality and who are good in possession, they didn’t threaten our goal that much but they created problems.”
“We had a day and a half to prepare, now let’s take this point home and see what happens next time,” he went on.
“Everyone had a great game,” the manager continued. “We all sacrificed a lot, then we came up against the crossbar and a great goalkeeper.”
On the goalless draw he said, “Now it almost seems to be destiny to draw 0-0 against Shakhtar.”
And he was looking forward to the challenges to come, stating “Let’s think about our two matches against Sheriff, then we’ll see what happens.”
