Inter Milan U19 made a winning start to their UEFA Youth League campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk U19 on 21 October 2026, combining patient possession with two well-taken goals in a match they controlled for long spells.

Riccardo Meloni gave the hosts a first-half lead after a sustained spell of pressure, and Matteo Cavalli doubled the advantage after the break with a low finish from the edge of the penalty area. Shakhtar Donetsk U19 showed flashes of quality on the counter-attack but could not find a way past an organised Inter defence, leaving the Italian side with three valuable points in the league phase.

Match overview

Inter set the tone from the opening whistle, pushing their full-backs high and using the midfield trio of Tommaso Fabbri, Lorenzo Conti and captain Davide Serra to circulate the ball quickly. Shakhtar sat in a compact 4-2-3-1 shape and looked to spring forward through Oleksandr Marchenko and Bohdan Savchenko whenever the hosts lost possession in advanced areas.

The first clear chance arrived in the 12th minute when Cavalli was released into the right channel, but Shakhtar goalkeeper Danylo Tkachenko stood tall to block the angled effort. Inter kept the pressure on and were rewarded in the 27th minute. A turnover high up the pitch allowed Meloni to receive the ball inside the box, and the striker took one touch before finishing calmly across the goalkeeper.

Shakhtar’s best moment of the first half came four minutes before the break. Savchenko drifted between Inter’s centre-backs and met a low cross from the left, but his first-time shot was smothered by Luca Baroni. The visitors began the second period with more urgency, yet Inter’s back line, marshalled by Andrea Riva, held firm and limited clear sight of goal.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Matteo Cavalli forces a strong save from Danylo Tkachenko after breaking into the right side of the box.
• 27th minute: Riccardo Meloni opens the scoring for Inter Milan U19 with a composed finish after a high turnover.
• 41st minute: Bohdan Savchenko’s close-range attempt is kept out by Inter goalkeeper Luca Baroni.
• 55th minute: Baroni reacts well to push away a dipping effort from Oleksandr Marchenko as Shakhtar push forward.
• 68th minute: Matteo Cavalli doubles Inter’s lead with a low strike from the edge of the area after good work from Tommaso Fabbri.
• 82nd minute: Inter substitute Simone Galli curls a shot just wide as the hosts chase a third goal on the counter.

Tactical story

Inter’s 4-3-3 was built around control and quick regains. The midfield pressed in a narrow block, forcing Shakhtar to play through the flanks, where Inter’s full-backs were aggressive in stepping out to intercept. That approach produced the opening goal and kept the visitors from establishing sustained possession in the final third.

Shakhtar Donetsk U19 improved after half-time by pushing their wingers higher and trying to isolate Inter’s centre-backs in transition. The Ukrainian side created a handful of promising moments, but their final pass was often delayed or directed into crowded areas. When Shakhtar did find space, Baroni was well positioned, and Inter’s defenders recovered quickly to protect the penalty area.

The second goal was a fair reflection of Inter’s control. Fabbri won the ball in midfield and carried it forward before slipping a pass into Cavalli, whose low finish gave Tkachenko no chance. From there, Inter managed the game maturely, slowing the tempo and forcing Shakhtar to chase the ball in the closing stages.

Standout players

Riccardo Meloni was the focal point of Inter’s attack, linking play with his back to goal and timing his runs into the box. His first-half goal settled the hosts and gave them a platform to dictate the match.

Matteo Cavalli was equally influential, stretching Shakhtar’s defence with runs into the channels before adding the decisive second goal. In midfield, Tommaso Fabbri combined energy with composure, while goalkeeper Luca Baroni made the saves that preserved Inter’s clean sheet at important moments.

For Shakhtar, goalkeeper Danylo Tkachenko kept his side within reach with several smart stops, and Oleksandr Marchenko was the visitors’ most creative outlet. Their best spells came after the interval, but they lacked the final touch to turn pressure into a goal.

What the result means

The victory gives Inter Milan U19 three points in the UEFA Youth League league phase and an early confidence boost in a competition where goal difference and momentum can prove important. The clean sh