Inter 1-1 Slavia: Barella equaliser rescues 1 point for Conte in UCL opener

Inter's Champions League got off to a very shaky start, as only Nicolo Barella's stoppage-time volley prevented a home defeat to Slavia Prague.

Match Report

Lukaku was handed his European debut for Antonio Conte's men, but the hosts delivered a poor showing in front of goal as the Belgian frontman struggled to make an impact.

The Group F minnows had punished Inter's profligacy on 63 minutes to edge into a shock lead.

Substitute Jaroslav Zeleny forced home stopper Samir Handanovic to parry away a stinging drive, but Peter Olayinka pounced from close range to finish off the rebound.

Summer signing Alexis Sanchez was left on the bench as the Italian outfit worked to fashion out a leveller, which eventually arrived inside the eight additional minutes at the end of the clash.

Stefano Sensi's superb free-kick cracked against the crossbar on 92 minutes, and the ball skewed out into the middle of a penalty area melee. 

And Inter's blushes were saved by Nicolo Barella, who was on hand to guide a volley through a crowd of bodies and into the far corner.

The hosts could even have snatched all three points at the death, but Lukaku's goalbound header was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Ondrej Kolar.

Group Standings

Match Events

12' CHANCE! De Vrij's header over the bar

16' MISS! Lautaro's shot wide out

MARTINEZ COMES CLOSE! He pulls away from his defender on the left of the box and drives his shot low towards the far corner. He beats Kolar, but his effort rolls just wide of the target. 

24' D'Ambrosio with a great chance!

GOOD SAVE BY KOLAR! Inter have another free-kick on the left wing and once again, Sensi whips a brilliant cross into the box. This time he picks out D'Ambrosio who heads his effort on target and Kolar makes a good reaction save to deny him. 

35' D'Ambrosio comes close!

63' GOAL! Inter 0-1 Slavia Praha (Olayinka)

Goal! Inter 0-1 Slavia! Zeleny has the initial shot from just inside the box and drives his effort low towards the bottom right corner. Handanovic makes a good save but palms it into Olayinka's path and he fires it in from very close range. There's a quick VAR check, but the goal stands.

92' GOAL! Inter 1-1 Slavia Praha (Barella)

INTER ARE LEVEL! Sensi took the free-kick from the edge of the box and his effort rebounded off the crossbar and into the middle of the box. Barella was waiting under it and hit his shot into the ground on the volley, through the crowd and into the bottom left corner.

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