Inter defender Milan Skriniar is happy with his and his team’s performance despite a 0-0 scoreline after their Champions League group stage clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match, the Slovenian gave his immediate reaction to a tough match which saw some last-ditch defending by him help keep the match finishing with the same scoreline at which it started.

Inter were not at their attacking best against Roberto De Zerbi’s Shakhtar team, prioritizing controlled possession in contrast to their more end-to-end style from recent matches, and allowing their opponents’ long spells of possession as they searched for greater defensive stability.

The Nerazzurri kept their first clean sheet in a number of matches, but they also failed to find the back of the net for the second Champions League fixture in a row, in an encounter which saw both sides pass up a few presentable scoring chances but not as much attacking fluidity as Simone Inzaghi may have hoped for from his team.

“We wanted to win and we came close,” Skriniar reflected. “But they also had chances. We are a bit disappointed with the result, we wanted these three points so much. But congratulations to the whole team for the sacrifice we put in during the defensive phase, maybe we could do something more in the offensive phase.”

Of Shakhtar he said, “They are a good team, they keep the ball well, it was a bit like against Sassuolo last year. That’s why I congratulated the team on how we defended. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to score.”

The defender concluded, “We have a winning mentality and we have seen even today that, despite the suffering, we tried to win it. Head held high, everything is still left to play for.”