Inter struggled as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk in Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Nicolo Barella, who was denied by the crossbar, and Edin Dzeko spurned first-half opportunities, with Roberto De Zerbi's hosts also faltering with a multitude of chances at the Kiev Olympic Stadium.

Manor Solomon and Tete both went close for Shakhtar, but with neither able to beat Samir Handanovic, the Ukrainian outfit settled for a creditable goalless draw against the Serie A champions.

Both teams are left on a point apiece in Group D as they suffer similarly timid starts and will need to make up early ground on Real Madrid and Sheriff, who meet later on Tuesday.

The opening chance of the contest saw Solomon surge inside and thrash his effort past the left-hand post before Barella blasted an effort against the bar from long-range at the other end.

Inter's carelessness in possession almost cost them, with Tete angling wide and Pedrinho smashing over either side of Lautaro Martinez's whipped effort failing to find the corner.

Dzeko should have opened the scoring after ghosting onto Federico Dimarco's corner but he wastefully prodded over from close range as the two sides continued to trade first-half chances.

Milan Skriniar produced a vital last-ditch block after the break to deny Pedrinho following Dodo's cutback as the hosts boasted 66 per cent of the possession against their uncharacteristically sloppy opponents.

Mykola Matyvenko then gifted Martinez the chance to break the deadlock, but the Inter forward could only skew over the bar when one-on-one with Andriy Pyatov.

Dodo selfishly lashed high of Inter's goal before the visitors gave Shakhtar a late scare. 

Substitute Joaquin Correa drifted inside and curled towards the far corner, only for Pyatov to turn it behind the post before denying Stefan de Vrij from the resulting corner as the match ended level.
 

What does it mean? Shakhtar still goalless and Inter off the pace

Inter remain unbeaten in seven games against Ukrainian opposition in the competition, but it may seem like a chance missed for Inzaghi's men as they sit joint-bottom of Group D after two games.

Shakhtar, meanwhile, may also look back and rue this result in the weeks ahead. They are without a goal in four games against Inter - all of which have come since the turn of 2020 – and join the Nerazzurri at the bottom with the frightening prospect of a double-header against Real Madrid up next.

Marvellous Matvyenko

Matvyenko may have almost cost his side the game as he teed up Martinez with a lapse in concentration. However, barring that, the centre-back dominated as he limited Dzeko, Martinez and Alexis Sanchez to minimal chances.

The Ukraine defender managed a game-high 137 touches – 66 more than Inter's most from Skriniar – and won three of his four duels, while producing a game-leading five clearances.

Dire Dzeko

Inzaghi was keen to keep Dzeko at the club when there was speculation over his future soon after signing from Roma and the forward has so far repaid the coach's faith in Serie A.

However, the 35-year-old struggled against Shakhtar, touching the ball just 17 times – the fewest of any outfield player to start the game aside from Lassina Traore, who suffered an early injury.

Dzeko won less than half of his nine duels before his substitution and has now failed to score in each of his last five Champions League outings, despite having 19 attempts on goal during this period for Roma and Inter.

Key Opta Stats: Shakhtar v Inter rarely a classic

- Shakhtar v Inter is just the second fixture in Champions League history to see three consecutive goalless draws after Manchester United v Villarreal between 2005–2008 (four successive 0-0 draws).
- Since the start of last season, no teams have played out more goalless draws in the Champions League than Shakhtar and Inter (three each).
- Inter (D1 L1) have failed to win their first two games in a Champions League campaign for a third consecutive season.
- Shakhtar are the first side who have failed to score a single goal in the first two games of a Champions League campaign despite having 32+ attempts on goal since Valencia in 2018-19.

 

What's next?

Inter return to Serie A action away at Sassuolo on Saturday, while Shakhtar travel to reigning Ukrainian Premier League champions Dynamo Kiev the following day.