If there was one easy game for Inter Milan until the end of 2022, than it was this one – against total outsiders, a Czech champion Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League second round. Even thou the Czech have only one defeat in all competitions (against Barcelona), 11 wins and two draws in the domestic championships meant nothing against Serie A champions. Inter was shaken after a 3-2 defeat from arch rival Milan and clean 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich, and Nerazzurri had to build their confidence quick. They managed a narrow win against Torino in Italy, and tonight they had not problem dealing with the hosts: Viktoria Plzen – Inter Milan 0-2.36y 180d – At 36 years and 180 days, Edin Dzeko is the oldest player to score and assist in the same #UCL game since Didier Drogba for Chelsea in November 2014 (36y 259d). Mature.#ViktoriaInter— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) September 13, 2022 This game, as well as the return match with the Czech are vital for Inter in the ‘group of death’ where Bayern and Barcelona are almost certain locked for the first place. Inter came to win and they did so by two goals difference, but coach Inzaghi has to be worried with so many chances missed against inferior opposition.Edin Džeko’s game by numbers vs. Viktoria Plzeň:43 touches 5/5 long balls completed 3 shots on target 2 key passes1 goal 1 assistExceptional contribution. 💪 pic.twitter.com/FqdYqX8KeE— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 13, 2022 As expected, Inter had no problem taking over initiative from the first minute of the game and dominated in the first half – 70% of possession, 11 total shots (5 on target) and two good chances, both from Edin Dzeko, and one of them finished in the net. The Bosnian international really likes to play against Victoria Plzen, as he scored 7 goals (including this one) against them, playing for Roma and Inter. Coach Inzaghi made the right choice to rotate the squad and rest Lautaro Martinez, so the Bosnian striker came in and scored a leading goal with his first chance, after a great Correa assist.Inter came down on Viktoria like a raging bull in the second half, and home keeper Stanek had really tought time saving shots from Dzeko, Gosens and Skriniar, while Dumfries sent his header over the bar. Things didn’t get any easier in the 64th minute when Pavel Bucha’s challenge, which seems unattentional, was caracterized as a red card foul and Inter had one player more on the field. Six minutes later, Dumfries finally used a great goal chance created by Edin Dzeko and scored his first Champions League goal for Inzaghi’s releif.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND 2TuesdayPlzen – Inter 0-2 (0-1)/Dzeko 20, Dumfries 70/Sporting – Tottenham 2-0 (0-0)/Paulinho 90, Gomes 90+3/22:00: (1.55) Liverpool (4.40) Ajax (6.50)22:00: (3.15) Leverkusen (3.30) Atl.Madrid (2.45)22:00: (1.45) Porto (4.50) Club Brugge (8.50)22:00: (1.80) Bayern (4.00) Barcelona (4.50)22:00: (2.00) Olympique Marseille (3.60) Eintr.Frankfurt (4.00)Wednesday19:45: (1.37) Milan (5.10) Dinamo Zagreb (10.0)19:45: (3.25) Shakhtar (3.40) Celtic (2.35)22:00: (1.40) Chelsea (4.80) Salzburg (7.75)22:00: (1.48) Real Madrid (4.40) RB Leipzig (6.75)22:00: (3.60) Copenhagen (3.40) Sevilla (2.20)22:00: (1.25) Man.City (7.00) Dortmund (12.0)22:00: (2.10) Juventus (3.50) Benfica (3.80)22:00: (16.0) Maccabi Haifa (9.50) PSG (1.13)22:00: (4.60) Rangers (3.70) Napoli (1.85)***odds are subject to change***************************************************************************
