UCL | Inter 0-0 Real Sociedad: Insufficient for first place

Inter failed to get the victory they needed, as they are all square with Real Sociedad, but finish second in the Champions League group on overall goal difference.

These sides drew 1-1 in September and were locked together on 11 points, so with an inferior overall goal difference, the Nerazzurri knew they had to win in order to top the group. Stefan de Vrij, Benjamin Pavard and Denzel Dumfries were injured, with Lautaro Martinez initially rested, while Brais Mendes, Martin Merquelanz, Ander Barrenetxea and Mohamed-Ali Cho missed out for the Spaniards.

The visitors absolutely dominated possession with over 80 per cent in the opening 30 minutes, but Marcus Thuram was brought down on the counter for an Igor Zubeldia yellow card.

For all the possession, it was Inter who had the first real scoring opportunities, as first Henrikh Mkhitaryan nodded over the bar, then moments later his volley on a deflected Alexis Sanchez pull-back was cleared off the line by Hamari Traore, although it might’ve already gone out of play.

The hosts began to pile more pressure on towards half-time with Francesco Acerbi’s scuffed volley and a Federico Dimarco angled drive smothered.

Frattesi ballooned over from the Thuram knockdown, but Simone Inzaghi threw on Lautaro Martinez, Nicolò Barella and Marko Arnautovic at the 65^th minute.

Mikel Oyarzabal came sliding in to meet a Kubo corner tangled up with Cuadrado, prodding it at Sommer. Real Sociedad received a penalty on 76 minutes when Kubo went on a mazy run from the right between Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto, but VAR very quickly pointed out it was a clear dive and the Japan international was booked.

Inter needed to win, but Oyarzabal tested Sommer and deep into stoppages Lautaro Martinez’s half-volley from a seemingly impossible angle skimmed the woodwork.

Inter 0-0 Real Sociedad