Sheriff Tiraspol 1-3 Inter: Player ratings as Nerazzurri secure vital win
Inter secured an important 3-1 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol on Wednesday night with the result leaving Champions League Group D finely poised with just two games left to play.
After Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win over basement-dwellers Shakhtar Donetsk in the early kick off, the Nerazzurri knew three points was required to keep in touch of Los Blancos at the top of the group.
They did exactly that with Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Skriniar and Alexis Sanchez all notching to ensure victory.
Inter dominated possession in the first half and peppered their opponent's goal, registering 1.12 xG from 13 shots without finding a breakthrough.
Lautaro Martinez came closest to opening the scoring five minutes before half time, swivelling from 25 yards out before curling an effort into the woodwork. Edin Dzeko was lively in the opening exchanges too, firing off five efforts in the first period without finding the back of the net.
After the interval Inter continued to turn the screw and eventually got the breakthrough via an unlikely source. Marcelo Brozovic is not used to scoring but you would not have known it watching him send two Sheriff players for a hot dog on the edge of the box before driving home his first ever Champions League goal.
A little after the hour mark Inter doubled their advantage. Brozovic was involved again, swinging in a corner which Milan Skriniar bundled over the line after his initial header was kept out.
Substitute Alexis Sanchez then added a third a matter of seconds after his introduction, racing onto a long ball before beating his man and lashing past Georgios Athanasiadis. Sheriff did grab a consolation with one of the last kicks of the game though, with Adama Traore - no, not that one - rising high to nod Sebastien Thill's free kick into the Inter net.
Here are your Inter player ratings...
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Samir Handanovic (GK) - 6/10 - Not a lot to say. He barely touched it. Will be annoyed to lose him clean sheet right at the death.
Milan Skriniar (CB) - 6/10 - He's a world-class defender and unsurprisingly dealt with Sheriff modest threat without moving out of first gear. Screwed over by Joaquin Correa's weak defending for Sheriff's consolation.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 6/10 - Composed in the middle of the back three. Accurate distribution.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 6/10 - Running out of things to say here... Inter's back three really did not have to do a lot.
2. Wing-backs & midfielders
Matteo Darmian (RWB) - 5/10 - Pretty meh display. Hooked at half-time after creating nothing.
Nicolo Barrella (CM) - 6/10 - Always busy, always probing. Sheriff allowed him a lot of room to maneuver, though.
Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - 8/10 - Excellent turn and finish for the goal. The high point in a pretty faultless display. Also set up Skriniar with a wicked, whipped-in corner.
Arturo Vidal (CM) - 8/10 - Helped his side dominate the guy with his energy, positive runs and combative approach. Assisted Brozovic's goal and was mightily creative throughout.
Federico Dimarco (LWB) - 7/10 - Solid as a rock defensively and got up and down the left-hand side well. Subbed.
3. Forwards
Edin Dzeko (ST) - 6/10 - Constantly asked questions of the defence with his runs in behind. Will have wanted to score.
Lautaro Martinez (ST) - 7/10 - So nearly opened the scoring with a fine effort in the first half. Linked up well with Dzeko and unlucky not to finish with an assist.
4. Substitutes
Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - 6/10 - Wanted to see a bit more from one of the stars of Euro 2020.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) - 6/10 - As above, without the 'starring at the Euros' bit.
Alexis Sanchez (ST) - 7/10 - Did not waste any time getting on the scoresheet for the first time since his days at Arsenal.
Joaquin Correa (ST) - 6/10
Andrea Ranocchia (CB) - N/A
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