Shakhtar's wingers and midfield runners: the threats facing Inter in the Champions League

After their win at Bologna, Inter return to Champions League action still without a point. On Wednesday 21 October at 21:00 CEST, they host a Shakhtar side who already have four points following a 1-1 draw away to PSV and a 3-1 win over AEK Athens. The analysis published by Inter describes opponents who look to control possession and commit players forward, but leave themselves exposed when they lose the ball.

Arda Turan, who took charge of the Ukrainian side in May 2025, secured the club's 16th domestic league title last season and reached the Conference League semi-finals. Their start to the league campaign has maintained that form: eight wins from their opening nine matches, with 20 goals scored and five conceded. The squad has an average age of 24 and a strong Brazilian contingent, playing in a system that can switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1.

The main threat comes from the flanks. Mendoza scored against both PSV and AEK, cutting in from the left onto his right foot and aiming for the far post. On the opposite side, Alisson Santana won the penalty and provided the assist for Vinícius Tobias in the victory over the Greek side. The central midfielders push forward into attacking midfield positions, giving the wide players more options; through the middle, Kaua Elias can create space and help runners break into the box.

The number of players committed forward could offer Inter a way through. According to the club's analysis, beating the initial press opens up gaps between midfield and defence and behind the full-backs. PSV's equaliser in the 48th minute came from a low cross from the left and a central run by Sergiño Dest. In Europe, meanwhile, Shakhtar's average possession drops from 65% in the league to 50%, while their xG falls from 1.98 to 0.94 per match.

Previous meetings at San Siro include the 2-0 win on 24 November 2021, when Edin Dzeko scored twice on the night Inter secured their place in the last 16. This time, the immediate aim is to pick up their first points of the league phase: they face a side coming off their first European win of the season, capable of turning defence into attack through the pace of their wingers.