Bastoni urges Inter to respond against Shakhtar in Champions League test

Inter Milan will look for their first Champions League league-phase victory when Shakhtar Donetsk visit San Siro on Wednesday, with Alessandro Bastoni making clear that the result could prove decisive in the race for a top-eight finish.

Inter face an early European test

Cristian Chivu’s side enter Matchday 3 after a chaotic 4-3 loss to Club Brugge, a result that has increased the pressure on the Nerazzurri to respond immediately at home.

Bastoni, speaking alongside Chivu before the match, said Inter cannot rely on their recent record in the competition or their previous runs to the latter stages. The defender believes the squad must deal with its present level rather than dwell on past achievements.

“We have to get a result tomorrow, otherwise reaching the top eight becomes impossible,” Bastoni said. “The Champions League finals and the campaigns of recent years belong to the past. The fixture list and the latest matches have to bring us back to reality. We need a major answer from tomorrow onwards.”

Individual errors under scrutiny

Inter have gone behind six times in all competitions this season, and Bastoni said the issue is not a lack of focus or an overly confident approach at kick-off. Instead, he suggested that the team have not recognised danger quickly enough in key moments.

• Inter were beaten 4-3 by Club Brugge on Matchday 2.
• The Nerazzurri are seeking their first league-phase win in Europe.
• Bastoni said each player must take responsibility for the mistakes made in recent matches.
• Inter have fallen behind six times across all competitions this season.
• Shakhtar arrive in Milan having won five consecutive matches in all competitions.

The Italy international called for “intellectual honesty” within the squad, pointing to individual incidents rather than a broader tactical problem. He said that Inter have made avoidable errors while also believing goals are harder to find than they should be.

“I have never seen this team start a match distracted or arrogant,” Bastoni said. “Maybe we do not assess danger well enough. We feel it is difficult to score, then we concede from simple mistakes. It will not be easy to reduce that, but if we can do it, I am convinced we will concede fewer goals and improve.”

Shakhtar bring strong form to San Siro

Inter’s historical record against the Ukrainian champions remains unbeaten, but Bastoni warned that past meetings will have little bearing on Wednesday’s contest. Shakhtar, coached by Arda Turan, arrive in Lombardy in form after five straight victories.

The home side will seek to use San Siro as the setting for a reset after the Brugge defeat, knowing that points are required quickly if they are to stay in touch with the league phase’s leading positions.

Match details