Inter wing-back Matteo Darmian stressed the importance of working as a cohesive unit ahead of the Nerazzurri’s Champions League group stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk this evening.

Speaking to Inter TV before kickoff, the 31-year-old talked about the team’s approach of keeping the Ukrainian side from getting control of the game and making sure the entire team works together in and out of possession.

Darmian drops out of the starting lineup for Denzel Dumfries, having started both of the Nerazzurri’s past two matches as well as the Champions League group stage opener against Real Madrid, but he could still appear from the bench and will be looking to support the team in whatever way that he can.

The Nerazzurri will know the importance of getting their group stage campaign back on track following a disappointing loss against Real on the first matchday, and they are not taking anything for granted against a tough Shakhtar team.

He praised Shakhtar’s coach, former Benevento and Sassuolo boss Roberto De Zerbi, stating that “De Zerbi has already brought his ideas, his teams love to pass and keep the ball in the game – we will have to be careful because they have quality players.”

“But what we will do is try to make life difficult for them and take home the three points. We have to play a careful game and limit their qualities – they have good players among their team. If we, as we know how to do, we will try to limit them, surely we will score a goal.”

And on the balance between attacking and defending he said, “It is achieved by working as a team by attacking and defending together, this is the secret.”