Peter Olayinka scored on his Champions League debut as Slavia Prague drew 1-1 with Inter Milan at the San Siro in Tuesday evening’s Group F fixture.
The Nerazzurri were obvious favourites considering their strong start to the season, where they have won all their Serie A games and top the table.
Their Czech opponents, however, had other ideas and Olayinka gave them the lead in the 63rd minute, tapping the ball in from Samir Handanovic’s tame save.
It was his first-ever goal in a European club competition. He also became the first Nigerian since Yakubu Aiyegbeni in 2002 to score on his Champions League debut.
⚪️ Slavia Praha ahead at the San Siro! ⚽️
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2019
🔴 Peter Olayinka nets on his #UCL debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/eK2QVkCexU
The hosts would equalise in the second minute of injury time via substitute Nicolo Barrela, who poked the ball in from a Stefano Sensi’s free-kick that rebounded off the crossbar.
Kwadwo Asamoah was on display for Inter and received a yellow card in the 54th minute for a reckless challenge on Ivorian Ibrahim Traore.
The Ghanaian played the entire 90 minutes and has now featured for a maximum 360 competitive minutes this season.
⌛️ | FULL-TIME#Barella's late leveller earns the Nerazzurri a share of the spoils on #UCL matchday one ⚖️#InterSlaviaPrague 1⃣➖1⃣ pic.twitter.com/FearTwFiAQ
— Inter (@Inter_en) September 17, 2019
Antonio Conte will rue his side’s inability to bag a win here as their next European tie is away to Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
They will however return to league action this weekend when they face city rivals AC Milan on Saturday evening.
For the elated Slavia Prague, their next Champions League outing is at home to German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund.
The Czech giants lead the Fortuna Liga and will also tackle city rivals Sparta Prague this weakened.