Pro Sports

Inter draws Slavia Prague 1-1 in Champions League opener

Posted September 17, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Slavia's Peter Olayinka, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

MILAN (AP) - Inter Milan required an injury-time equalizer from NicolÃ² Barella to earn a 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague in the opening match of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barella volleyed in the rebound after a free kick from Stefano Sensi hit the crossbar.

Slavia's 23-year-old striker Peter Olayinka was dangerous throughout and put the visitors ahead shortly after the hour mark by turning in a rebound from close range.

Inter won its opening three matches in Serie A to open up a two-point lead atop the Italian league but Antonio Conte's side struggled from the start against the Czech champion, putting only one shot on goal in the first half.

Making matters more difficult, key Inter midfielder Antonio Candreva went off shortly after the break with an apparent injury.

Slavia beat CFR Cluj 1-0 twice in the playoffs to qualify for the group phase, having given eventual champion Chelsea a strong challenge in last season's Europa League quarterfinals, losing on 4-3 aggregate.

Barcelona was visiting Borussia Dortmund later in the other Group F match.

Slavia nearly doubled its lead but a free kick from Nicolae Stanciu went just wide and then an attempt from LukÃ¡s Masopust sailed high.

Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej KolÃ¡r, who was also a key to the success against Cluj, prevented Inter from scoring a late winner when he made a one-handed save to deny Romelu Lukaku's header in the final minutes of injury time.

Slavia had lost all of its six previous matches in Italy.

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Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez holds his face after missing a chance during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Stefano Sensi, left, challenges Slavia's Vladmir Coufal during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Slavia's Tomas Soucek, left, and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez fight for the ball during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (Matteo Bazzi/ANSA via AP) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, left, challenges Slavia's David Hovorka during the Champions League group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

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