Federico Dimarco warns Inter ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League match with Shakhtar Donetsk: ‘We know what happened last year, it’s all in our hands.’
The Nerazzurri host Roberto De Zerbi’s side at the Stadio Meazza on Wednesday.
A victory would allow the Serie A champions to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 with a game to spare, provided that Sheriff don’t win against Real Madrid.
The Serie A champions failed to beat Shakhtar in the last group stage game of 2020-21 when they needed a victory to qualify for the last 16.
They picked up 0-0 draws last year and back in September, in the reverse fixture played in Ukraine.
“The game against Shakhtar was a difficult match and we know what happened last year,” Dimarco told UEFA.com.
“Now it’s all in our hands; we just have to play as we know. It would be important to go beyond the group stage because we haven’t been able to do it for several years.”
Dimarco is a product of Inter’s academy and returned to the club after loan spells at Ascoli, Empoli, Sion, Parma and Hellas Verona.
“I was born an Inter fan, I feel this love inside me,” the defender said.
“I felt the same even before playing for Inter, since I was a child. When Inter lose I feel bad.
The 24-year-old made his Inter debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Qarabag in December 2014, aged 17.
“I remember it was before Christmas,” he recalled.
“For me, it was a dream come true, something I dreamed of as a child. Wearing the jersey of the team I support was incredible.
“There have been difficult times, especially when I was injured or I was not playing,” the 24-year-old admitted.
“But I think these experiences have helped me to grow and mature, to become a man. Now I know myself and my abilities more.”
After a 5-1 beating Shaktar took by Inter in Europa League they tied the last 3 meetings 0-0 …. i think they are due for a win against a tired Inter which when they went to their bench almost dropped 2 points – Handanovic was very fortunate on Mario Rui’s header !