Inter Milan secured their first Champions League win of the season in emphatic fashion, defeating Red Star Belgrade 4-0 at the San Siro. The Italian giants, who were held to a goalless draw by Manchester City in their group-stage opener, dominated the match from the start, with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Marko Arnautovic, Lautaro Martinez, and Mehdi Taremi sealing a comfortable victory.
The win showcased Inter’s attacking prowess, as they made seven changes from their recent Serie A victory over Udinese but still managed to assert control throughout the game. Meanwhile, Red Star Belgrade continue to search for their first win in the group after suffering a narrow defeat to Benfica in September.
Calhanoglu Sets the Tone
Inter Milan wasted no time in imposing themselves on the game. Just 11 minutes into the match, Hakan Calhanoglu gave the home side the lead with a superb free-kick that curled around the Red Star wall and nestled into the net off the post. The Turkish midfielder, known for his set-piece prowess, once again proved his value with a moment of brilliance, sparking the home crowd into life. From that point on, Inter maintained control of the game, dictating possession and limiting Red Star’s opportunities to attack.
Arnautovic Doubles the Lead
As the second half progressed, Red Star Belgrade showed signs of frustration, with their build-up play often leading to turnovers in dangerous areas. Inter capitalized on one such mistake in the 59th minute, when Mehdi Taremi won the ball high up the pitch. The Iranian forward showed great awareness to find Marko Arnautovic, who was in space near the penalty area. Arnautovic, a veteran striker who once played for Stoke City and West Ham United in the Premier League, calmly slotted the ball past Red Star’s goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Arnautovic’s goal was a testament to his experience and composure, as the 35-year-old took his chance with clinical precision. It was also a reward for Inter’s relentless pressing, which forced Red Star into mistakes throughout the match.
Taremi and Martinez Combine for a Third
Inter Milan continued to press forward after their second goal, sensing that Red Star were vulnerable to further damage. In the 71st minute, Mehdi Taremi once again caused problems for the Red Star defense. The forward intercepted a poor pass near the visitors’ penalty area and quickly set up substitute Lautaro Martinez, who had been introduced minutes earlier.
Martinez, who has become one of Inter’s key players in recent seasons, made no mistake with the finish. He calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, extending Inter’s lead to 3-0 and effectively ending any hope of a comeback for Red Star.
The assist from Taremi capped off an impressive performance from the Iranian, who was a constant thorn in Red Star’s side. His work rate, combined with his intelligent positioning, allowed Inter to dominate the attacking third and capitalize on the visitors’ mistakes.
Taremi Gets His Goal
Having played a role in two of Inter’s goals, it was only fitting that Mehdi Taremi got on the scoresheet himself before the final whistle. In the 88th minute, Lautaro Martinez was brought down in the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Taremi stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and he made no mistake, chipping the ball delicately past the goalkeeper to add a fourth goal for the home side.
Taremi’s late strike capped off a well-rounded performance from the forward, who had been one of the standout players on the pitch. His energy, vision, and clinical finishing were crucial to Inter’s success, and his goal was the icing on the cake for what had been a dominant team performance.
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