Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Europa League Semi Final 2020

Internazionale come into this UEFA Europa League (UEL) one-game semi-final fixture at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf after losing just one of their last 16 competitive matches (W10, D5), while shutting out the opposition in five of the previous six. Significantly, eight of their ten wins during that run saw them lead at HT.
Though Inter are unbeaten in eight European meetings versus Ukrainian opposition (W5, D3), this game could still be a tight clash as just one of those matches was settled by a 2+ goal margin. Of further note, is that ‘I Nerazzurri’ have not conceded a single goal after the break across their last eight UEL outings.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s 4-1 win in the previous round bore some significance, with all but one of their eight European fixtures this campaign featuring over 2.5 match goals. In fact, that’s also been the case in each of their previous seven UEL matches, with both sides scoring on six occasions.
This game could witness some late drama too, as at least two match goals (2.5 on average) have arrived from the 85th minute onwards in each of Shakhtar’s last two UEL fixtures. However, three of their last four UEL matches have also seen the opening goal scored by the 20th minute.
Players to watch: Romelu Lukaku (INT) set a new record when scoring in his ninth consecutive UEL appearance last time out. Meanwhile, Júnior Moraes has been the game’s first scorer in each of Shakhtar’s last three UEL matches (W3).
Stat attack: Inter have won the last six UEL games in which they were leading at HT.
Shakhtar have avoided defeat in two of the last three European games in which they conceded first (W1, D1, L1).
The previous two European H2Hs featured two match goals each, with the goals confined to one half.