Inter Milan starting XI (3-5-2): Sommer, Bisseck (subbed for Akanji), De Vrij, Carlos Augusto, Dumfries, Frattesi (subbed for Sucic), Barella, Zielinski (subbed for Calhanoglu), Dimarco,
Lautaro (subbed for Bonny), Esposito (subbed for Thuram)
Bench: J. Martinez, Calligaris, Luis Henrique, Acerbi, Diouf, Alexiou, Bastoni
Goals: Martinez 45’, Augusto 67’
Kairat Almaty starting XI (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov, Mrynskiy, Shirobokov, Sorokin, Luis Mata, Kassabulat (subbed for Sadibekov), Arad (subbed for Baibek), Gromyko (subbed for Tapalov), Jorginho (subbed for Zaria), Satpaev, Edmilson (subbed for Ricardinho)
Bench: Zarutskiy, Kalmurza, Kurgin, Glazer, Stanojev
Goals: Arad 55’
What looked like a routine match turned complicated as Inter struggled with slow tempo and poor finishing. After Lautaro’s scrappy opener late in the first half, Kairat equalised early in the second when Ofri Arad was left unmarked to head past Sommer for the first goal Inter have conceded in Europe this season.
Christian Chivu’s men reacted with pressure: Esposito was twice denied by goalkeeper Anarbekov before Carlos Augusto restored the lead with a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Late substitutions, including the returning Thuram, helped Inter see out the match without further danger.
The win, though not convincing, leaves Inter comfortably third on the table with a strong points cushion ahead of tougher fixtures to come.
ANSA
