Some terrible defensive errors and a sluggish approach saw Inter beaten 3-1 at Sparta Prague in the Europa League, plus Andrea Ranocchia sent off.
See how it all unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri lost their opener 2-0 with Hapoel Beer-Sheva at San Siro, so needed a positive result in the Czech Republic.
Some terrible defensive errors and a sluggish approach saw Inter beaten 3-1 at Sparta Prague in the Europa League, plus Andrea Ranocchia sent off.
See how it all unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri lost their opener 2-0 with Hapoel Beer-Sheva at San Siro, so needed a positive result in the Czech Republic.
Joao Mario, Gabigol, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Stevan Jovetic were not on the UEFA squad list, while Marcelo Brozovic was dropped for disciplinary reasons. Coach Zdenek Scasny was sacked after a home defeat in the derby with Slavia. New boss David Holoubek missed Tomas Rosicky, Vacha, Zahustel and Sural.
It was a shaky start, as Ever Banega lost the ball in midfield and Vaclav Kadlec scuffed his finish for a Samir Handanovic save.
However, moments later Sparta did break through thanks to a poor Andrea Ranocchia clearance and failed Felipe Melo sliding tackle on the edge of the box, as Kadlec drilled into the near bottom corner.
This was the seventh time in eight competitive games in which Inter had conceded the opening goal this season.
They risked another with Jeison Murillo caught in possession by Borek Dockal, but the Colombian made up for it by sprinting back to tackle Kadlec when he was clear on goal. Andrea Ranocchia’s glancing header from a corner was off target.
Inter were so sluggish compared to the hosts and the second goal was a perfect example of this attitude. A free kick was taken quickly and everyone stood around waiting for a flag while Kadlec dribbled undisturbed into the box, sweeping an angled finish past Handanovic one-on-one.
Kadlec almost had a hat-trick, as Murillo’s decisive sliding interception prevented him from tapping in from six yards on a cross from the left.
The Inter comeback was nowhere to be seen, as instead Sparta continued to tear the defence to shreds with strong runs. Holzer skipped past Ranocchia with embarrassing ease to cross for Karavaev to only hit the side-netting at the back post.
Kadlec again failed to complete his hat-trick, the lob going over Handanovic and the bar.
Eder’s header was wide and Rodrigo Palacio finally created a decent chance, denied by goalkeeper Koubek’s knee.
De Boer went for broke and threw on the big guns, Ivan Perisic and Mauro Icardi. Within 60 seconds of coming off the bench, Icardi had contributed to an Inter goal.
His through ball was touched on by Eder for Palacio’s daisy-cutter into the far bottom corner.
It was game on, but not for very long, as Ranocchia got his second yellow card for a body-check on Matej Pulkrab. On the resulting free kick, Ondrej Mazuch nodded it back across the face of goal for a totally free Mario Holek header.
Eder came close to getting another one back for the Nerazzurri, but dinked his finish inches past the far post after another inspired Icardi pass.
Sparta Prague 3-1 Inter
V Kadlec 7, 25 (S), Palacio 71 (I), Holek 76 (S)
Sparta Prague: Koubek; Karavaev, Mazuch, Holek, M Kadlec (Pulkrab 73); Cermak (Lafata 88), M Frydek (Julis 66), Sacek, Holzer; Dockal; V Kadlec
Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio (Ansaldi 56), Ranocchia, Murillo, Miangue; Gnoukouri (Icardi 70), Felipe Melo; Candreva (Perisic 63), Ever Banega, Eder; Palacio
Ref: Artur Dias (POR)
Sent off: Ranocchia 75 (I)