Inter 1 - 0 RB Leipzig, an own goal is enough for another win in the Champions League

Everything is needed, in this still unbeaten campaign. Concentration, technique, nerves of steel, heart and intensity are all needed. There is no single formula for these Champions League nights: adapting to the factors faced is key. The desire to win and continue to keep marching on through the qualification phase onto the elimination phase, the knowledge of a busy calendar, filled with fixtures, the pure desire to please the fans at San Siro, the ability to maintain a high level against any type of opponent. Then there are episodes: one can go in your favour, just like Dimarco's free kick which Lukeba put into his own net. An own goal which gave us the three points in a match where nothing could be taken for granted, dominated in one half and then a bit on edge in the latter stages. One statistic stands out: only one shot on target from the opponents (with a great and important stop from Sommer) who faced an offensive display from the nerazzurri which troubled the visitors. The Champions League standings speak clearly: after five matches, Inter are top, ahead of everyone as we wait for Liverpool to play on Wednesday. 13 points, four wins and one draw, seven goals scored and none conceded. A practically clear-cut campaign, with zero goals conceded, highlighting the defensive solidity of the nerazzurri. The defence lost a player again due to injury, this time Pavard who had to come off at the end of the first half. A match of two halves. The start was all Inter. In the fog covering San Siro, Inter pushed on, with a starting lineup which was changed after the game against Verona. Bastoni and Dimarco dominated the left flank and produced a lot of good moves, Taremi had some chances, and dangerous crosses pressured the German defence. The 4-4-2 employed by Rose - who left Sesko on the bench - was supported by a brilliant display from Kampl and the improvisation of Openda, who forced yellow cards from Pavard and then Bastoni. Inter played well, doing so with the ball on the floor, outlining a high quality style of play. In the first 15 minutes, Inter's possession exceeded 70%, and allowed for numerous occasions on goal. The goal, as mentioned, came from a Dimarco free kick which deflected off of Lukeba. A deserved lead which made Inter slow down a bit, but which did not eliminate the danger from Leipzig. Dangerous efforts on Gulasci's goal couldn't find the back of the net, allowing for the visiting side to remain alive in the game.

Dumfries had a part to play in the match, playing well on the right flank. In the first half he tried to earn a penalty which was not awarded, at the start of the second half he sent a shot just above the bar after a brilliant run. Inter seemed to want to finish the game off, but lacked the precision and right impetus. Calhanoglu tried from distance, Taremi from a header: they weren't clear cut chances and the match stayed in the balance. Sommer, who was a spectator until the 69th minute, pulled off a great save against Nusa, another bright spark in Rose's side. Inter know that suffering is part of the game and relied on counter attacks to finish the game off. Barella showed his class, with recoveries and brilliant vertical passes to open up the pitch to his teammates. Dimarco was always switched on, and tried to provide for the subbed-on Thuram. But, as mentioned, we also had to suffer. Interceptions from Dumfries and De Vrij in defence were fundamental in defending the lead and rewarding Inter fans with another important win in Europe.

INTER 1-0 RB LEIPZIG | LIVE TABLE

Scorers: 27' OG Lukeba (L) INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard (31 Bisseck 44'), 6 De Vrij, 95 Bastoni (30 Carlos Augusto 65'); 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella, 20 Calhanoglu (22 Mkhitaryan 76'), 7 Zielinski, 32 Dimarco; 99 Taremi (9 Thuram 65'), 10 Lautaro (8 Arnautovic 76'). Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 13 J. Martinez, 17 Buchanan, 21 Asllani, 36 Darmian, 50 Aidoo. Head Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

RB Leipzig (4-4-2): 1 Gulacsi; 3 Geertruida (47 Gebel 85'), 4 Orban, 23 Lukeba, 39 Henrichs; 14 Baumgartner (20 Ouedraogo 61'; 18 Vermeeren 70'), 8 Haidara (13 Seiwald 61'), 44 Kampl, 7 Nusa; 11 Openda, 19 André Silva (30 Sesko 61'). Substitutes: 26 Vandevoordt. Head Coach: Marco Rose.

Booked: Pavard (I), Bastoni (I), Baumgartner (L), Lukeba (L) Stoppage time: 3'- 4'

Referee: João Pinheiro (POR) Assistants: Jesus, Maia (POR) Fourth Official: Gonçalves (POR) VAR: Martins (POR) Assistant VAR: Hernández (ESP)