Inter - Shakhtar Donetsk

Wednesday 21 October 2026 at Giuseppe Meazza, Inter welcome Shakhtar Donetsk for their matchday 3 Champions League encounter. The hosts face a significant personnel challenge, as both Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard are sidelined through injury. Despite these absences, Inter arrive with momentum from a 3-1 Serie A victory over Bologna, though they will be keen to bounce back in Europe following a narrow 4-3 defeat to Club Brugge earlier this month. The expected XI, featuring Marcus Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito in attack, aims to break down a resilient visiting side.

Shakhtar Donetsk travel to Italy in strong form, having secured a 3-1 win against AEK Athens in their most recent continental outing. With Alaa Ghram ruled out, the visitors will rely on the defensive stability of Mykola Matviyenko and Valeriy Bondar to contain the Inter midfield. Having maintained a consistent run in their domestic league, Shakhtar look to translate that confidence onto the European stage. History between these two sides has often been tight, with several goalless draws in recent Champions League meetings, setting the scene for a tactically disciplined battle.