Post by : Meena Ariff

Inter Milan kept their 100% start in this season's Champions League by battling to a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan debutants Kairat Almaty at the San Siro on Wednesday. Carlos Augusto's 67th-minute strike proved decisive as the Nerazzurri claimed their fourth straight win in the group stage.

On 12 points, Inter share the summit with Bayern Munich and Arsenal, leaving them well placed to reach the last 16. Historically, reaching about 16 points has often been enough for progression, meaning just four points from their remaining four fixtures could secure direct qualification.

Tougher tests await, however, including home ties with Liverpool and leaders Arsenal, plus a trip to Atletico Madrid later this month that will test their mettle.

'There are no easy matches in the Champions League, we didn't play at our best but we found a way to win,' said Carlos Augusto after the game. 'We know our level but must prove it every time we step onto the pitch.'

Kairat's resilience forces a tense finish

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession and creating the better openings early on, Inter found it difficult to break down a compact Kairat rearguard. Lautaro Martinez put the hosts ahead just before the interval, netting his 160th goal for the club after reacting quickest to a blocked effort.

Kairat hit back nine minutes after the break when Ofri Arad rose to head home, silencing the crowd and briefly threatening a major upset. It was Carlos Augusto's low, driven finish that ultimately denied the Kazakh side their first away point in the competition.

Visitors' goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov was outstanding, producing several crucial stops, including a two-save sequence to thwart Martinez and a fingertip save to keep out Pio Esposito later on.

Kairat sit just three points off the play-off places and still face matches with Copenhagen, Olympiakos and Club Brugge before traveling to Arsenal. Their gritty display in Milan highlighted the growing confidence of a side making its European debut.

Inter must tighten their finishing and defensive concentration ahead of the remaining fixtures if they are to maintain momentum. While current form is encouraging, the margin for error narrows as the knockout rounds draw closer.

#Global