Youth League, first win for Inter Primavera: 2 - 0 win over Shakhtar

A win, a clean sheet and the first three points in the 2026/27 UEFA Youth League: the perfect ingredients for an afternoon for Inter Primavera, who beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 at the KONAMI Women and Talent Center to claim their first victory of the League Phase. It was a tight contest against a well-organised opponent who were difficult to break down, but Vukaj’s moment of magic in stoppage time at the end of the first half broke the deadlock before a superb finish from prolific goalscorer Carrara sealed the win in the second. Quality and determination were on display from Bigica’s Inter, who move up to four points after three matchdays and will continue their European campaign away to Feyenoord on Tuesday 3 November.

THE MATCH

Grey, gloomy skies hung over the KONAMI Women and Talent Center for Matchday 3 of the Youth League League Phase, with threatening clouds providing the backdrop to kick-off. Shakhtar looked just as threatening, finding themselves in the Nerazzurri penalty area after only 14 seconds. A long ball caught the defensive line off guard, allowing Petruk to go through on Galliera, who showed excellent anticipation to read the situation and close him down with a well-timed rush off his line. After that early scare, Inter took control of possession and began to dictate the game, while Shakhtar sat deep in their own half, looking to win the ball back and break quickly. Bigica’s side tried to create danger by stretching the play and using the width of the pitch, particularly down the left through Vukaj’s runs and Sorino’s overlapping movements. One dangerous cross led to a big chance for D’Agostino in the seventh minute, as he struck a left-footed volley from the centre of the box, only for Chympoiesh to produce a last-ditch intervention. Eight minutes later, El Mahboubi threatened when he arrived at the far post to meet Cerpelletti’s corner but failed to hit the target. In the 22nd minute, the visitors came forward again, with Petruk making another run in behind, only to be denied by Galliera rushing off his line once more.Inter continued to dominate possession and created another opportunity in the 31st minute. El Mahboubi found space in the box to meet Sorino’s cross but failed to make clean contact from a promising position. Just as the first half seemed to be drawing to a close, the Nerazzurri took the lead. A long ball towards Carrara was misjudged by the Shakhtar defence. Chympoiesh came out of his area but was beaten to the ball by a recovering defender. It fell to Vukaj, who needed no invitation to produce a delicate first-time lob from around the halfway line. The ball bounced and found the net just as the only minute of added time was about to expire, giving Inter the lead at the end of a closely contested first half.

Vukaj’s goal proved vital, allowing the Nerazzurri to head into the dressing room ahead. However, just as they had at the start of the match, Shakhtar tried to strike early after the restart. Following a blocked effort from Carrara, the Ukrainians launched a counter-attack, with a through ball finding Zubriy in space. The winger entered the box and opened up his body to shoot, narrowly missing the far post. The game began to open up, with both sides becoming more stretched, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough. Inter pushed for a second goal, raising the tempo and quality of their play. In the 65th minute, a beautifully constructed move created a chance for D’Agostino, who arrived in the box to meet an excellent pass from Sorino, but his left-footed effort was saved by Chympoiesh. The contest remained finely balanced until the 75th minute, when Carrara produced a moment of brilliance to double Inter’s lead. Substitute Evangelisti deserves great credit for refusing to give up on a long ball down the right. The number 13 reached it just before it crossed the byline and managed to deliver a cross, with the ball almost reaching the advertising hoardings. The delivery was high and floated gently towards the penalty spot, where Carrara was waiting like a predator. The Nerazzurri captain measured his steps and judged the ball’s descent perfectly before making immaculate contact. His first-time left-footed volley skimmed along the ground and nestled in the corner, a sensational finish to make it 2-0. During the final 15 minutes, Bigica’s side managed their two-goal advantage calmly through several substitutions and a few stoppages, never allowing Shakhtar to threaten. The final whistle confirmed Inter’s first three European points of the season.

INTER U20 2-0SHAKHTAR | MATCH REPORT

Goals: 46' Vukaj, 75' Carrara (I)

Inter (4-3-3): 1 Galliera; 2 Lissi (13 Evangelista 72'), 4 Donato, 6 Peletti, 3 Sorino (15 Rocca 81'); 8 D'Agostino, 5 Cerpelletti, 7 Grisoni Fasana (18 Putsen 54'); 10 El Mahboubi (17 Moressa 72'), 9 Carrara, 11 Vukaj (19 Franchi 81') Substitutes: 12 Farronato, 14 Breda, 16 La Torre, 18 Putsen, 20 Matarrese Coach: Emiliano Bigica Shakhtar Donetsk (4-3-3): 12 Chympoiesh; 8 Shukalovych (22 Pylypiuk 63'), 14 Mylokost, 4 Kostiuk, 5 Kaliuzhnyi; 8 Derykon (6 Voloshko 78'), 23 Chornenkyi, 10 Tiutiunov; 7 Petruk (26 Kuriachyi 63'), 17 Harmash (19 Tverdokhlib 78'), 11 Zubriy (20 Safonov 83') Substitutes: 1 Torkhov, 30 Kicha, 21 Sereda, 24 Verhun Coach: Oleksiy Byelik

Booked players: 17' Cerpelletti (I), 19' Galliera (I), 30' Mylokost (S), 43' Lissi (I)

Added time: 1', 5'

Referee: Damina Kos (POL) Assistant Referees: Bartosz Heinig - Artur Zakrzewski (POL) Fourth Official: Giovanni Ayroldi (ITA)