An objectively boring, goalless match saw Inter draw Real Sociedad 0-0 in the final 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League group stage match on Tuesday evening.

Although both teams had already qualified for the round of 16, the final match of the group stage would determine who came first and who came second. For Inter, a win was necessary-  whereas Real Sociedad could do with a win or a draw due to goal differential. In a 0-0 draw, Real Sociedad finished in first place and pot 1, with Inter finishing second and in pot 2. Both teams ended the group stage unbeaten and shared a 3-3-0 record.

Inter lined up as expected, with slight rotation (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Cuadrado, Frattesi, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan; Thuram, Alexis Sánchez. Usual starters Lautaro Martínez, Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni were named to the bench.

Real Sociedad lined up differently than predicted, dealing with recent injuries (4-2-2): Remiro; Traoré, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen; Zakharyan, Zubimendi, Merino, Oyarzabal; Sadiq, Kubo.

The first half was very dry, with Real Sociedad enjoying nearly 80% of the possession despite accumulating only 0.05xG (expected goals) the entire half. Inter were happy to sit back and defend, while the visitors were in no rush to force an attack, as they were happy with a draw to remain first in the group.

The first real chance came around the 38th minute, when Marcus Thuram picked up the ball at half, drove forward on the counter and found Alexis Sánchez. The Chilean striker managed to find Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the middle of the Real Sociedad box, who fired a shot but was blocked by a Real Sociedad just metres off of the goal line.

The next big chance came in the 55th minute. Carlos Augusto took a long throw-in which was met by Marcus Thuram’s head. Davide Frattesi was unable to make a solid connection with it and hit the ball way over the bar just inside the Real Sociedad 18-yard box.

In the 75th minute, Takefusa Kubo danced past three inter players, made his way into the box and was seemingly brought down by a combination of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty  spot. Thankfully, the official was requested to look to the VAR monitor and after just a briefe consultation, rescinded the penalty and it was proven that Kubo dove. No penalty, instead a free-kick to Inter and a yellow card to Kubo for simulation.

Unable to break the deadlock at home, here is how we have rated Inter’s individual performances on the night.

Player Ratings

Sommer – 6

Did not have much to do at all, Real Sociedad only had 2 shots on target all match. Was fine with his distribution of the ball.

Matteo Darmian (C) – 6.5

Solid outing for Inter’s captain on the occasion. Did well in defense and even found himself on the attack at times.

Francesco Acerbi – 6

Average performance, nothing particularly stood out.

Carlos Augusto – 7

One of Inter’s best performers. Playing in an unfamiliar position, did extremely well defensively.

Juan Cuadrado – 6

Took a while to settle into the match and looked shaky at the start. Redeemed himself and grew into the match, used his dribbling to create opportunities for himself and was very active on the right flank.

Davide Frattesi – 7

Another one of Inter’s better performers during the first half especially. You can tell he is growing as a player and stood out particularly defensively.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 5.5

Not his night, found it hard to create opportunities for his team and struggled slightly defensively in the first half.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6

Had the biggest chance of the first half but failed to convert. Miscued several passes in the first half. Has an incredible engine at his age.

Federico Dimarco – 6

Played much more offensively due to the defensive cover of Carlos Augusto. Did his best to create chances for the team.

Marcus Thuram – 7

Was probably Inter’s best player of the evening and looked sure to either create or score a goal. His dribbling is sublime and it is a joy to watch him beat players with ease.

Alexis Sánchez – 4

It is obvious that he is trying his best and pressing the life out of the opponent’s backline, but did not do anything else besides that.

Substitutes

Lautaro Martínez – 6

Was not very involved in the match, had 2 decent opportunities but squandered them both.

Marko Arnautović – 5

Contributed virtually nothing.

Nicolò Barella – 6.5

Did well defensively and tried to create chances.

Alessandro Bastoni – 6

Provided extra defensive cover and experience against a tough opponent.

Kristjan Asllani – 5

His decision-making seems very immature still. Several questionable choices, has a lot to learn.