Inter slumped to a sorry 2-0 defeat at home to Hapoel Be'er Sheva in their Europa League opener on Thursday. The hosts were hoping to build on Frank De Boer's first victory as Nerazzurri coach last weekend against Pescara, but the coach put out a rotated side that still featured Marcelo Brozovic and Eder. It was the latter who had the best chance for the San Siro side when he struck the woodwork, but it was Hapoel who took the lead when Miguel Vitor struck after half time. Despite throwing Antonio Candreva on in a bid to restore parity, Inter found themselves 2-0 down and out to Maor Buzaglo's splendid free-kick. The fallen Italian giants have won just one of their first three Serie A games under De Boer, with Hapoel's win ensuring an equally miserable start to their continental campaign.
Far from being a smash-and-grab, though, this was a thoroughly deserved triumph for the Israeli champions, who could have led long before their two goals which both came in the second half. Captain Mauro Icardi had bagged all three of his team's prior goals this season, and the Milan outfit looked predictably toothless as he started the match on the bench. Though Hapoel came into the game winless in their last five European away matches, it was they who started the brighter and should have taken an early lead. Buzaglo's centre from the right found Lucio Maranhao completely unmarked, but he directed his header wide with Samir Handanovic rooted to the spot.
Inter, having made seven changes to a winning side, could not match the aggressive tempo of their busy visitors, who squandered another headed chance as Buzaglo stretched onto Ben Bitton's cross. Handanovic was soon called into action for the first time, blocking Maranhao's drive after Ovidiu Hoban had sent him clear of the hosts' creaking back-line. Inter finally forged a first sight of goal shortly before half-time and were so nearly rewarded. Yuto Nagatomo's delivery from the left skipped through the penalty area to the far side, where Eder steadied himself before rattling a shot against the post. Eder zipped another effort wide at the start of the second period, but a dreary display was belatedly punished in the 54th minute.
A smart free-kick routine saw Buzaglo slip Maranhao in on the right, and his low ball across the face of goal was met by Vitor with a clinical finish to stun the home crowd. Hapoel were not finished there, either. Handanovic stood up to beat away Buzaglo's blast and then blocked Maranhao's shot at his near post as the Brazilian again wreaked havoc. Their next attempt was dragged off target by Tony Nwakaeme, before Hoban's swaying strike dipped wide on the opposite side. Another set-piece would result in another goal, though. This time Buzaglo went direct from the free-kick and curled magnificently into the near top corner. Icardi was summoned from the bench, but even his presence could not provide Inter any relief and Hapoel instead coasted to victory, with Bitton even clipping the bar with a fine late lob.
