Inter Milan 2-1 Kairat Almaty – Italy Wingback Makes Honest Admission After Scrappy Win: “We Underestimated The Opponent” | OneFootball

Federico Dimarco explained why Inter Milan barely squeezed past Champions League minnows Kairat Almaty at San Siro.

Speaking to Sky Sport via FCInterNews, the Italian wingback confirmed that Inter ‘underestimated’ their rivals.

Inter headed into proceedings as odds-on favorites after winning their first three league-phase games ‘to nil.’

Furthermore, manager Cristian Chivu was on the brink of history.

All Inter had to do was keep another clean sheet against a side that only scored once in the opening three rounds.

However, Ofri Arad beat Yann Sommer at the start of the second half to draw Kairat level.

Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez added to his European tally, opening the scoring with his fourth Champions League goal of the season.

When it looked like Kairat could take the match into a dramatic finish, Carlos Augusto slotted home a fantastic long-range shot.

As for Dimarco, he fared much better than his counterpart on the right, Denzel Dumfries.

Indeed, the 27-year-old was far more involved in Inter’s build-up play than the Dutchman.

Federico Dimarco Blasts Inter Milan for Underestimating Kairat Almaty

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale acknowledges the fans as he leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Everyone knows that in the Champions League, in the end, every match is a difficult one, especially at home,” Dimarco stated.

“We had an attitude that was not, I wouldn’t say wrong. But we perhaps underestimated our opponent and made errors even in simple plays.

“However, what mattered was winning, and we did that well.

“We knew we had to win the first four; now comes the fun part with great matches ahead against strong opponents.

“We must think game by game because every match is difficult, especially in the Champions League.”

Asked whether Inter can replicate last season’s Champions League run, Dimarco replied: “Inter Milan, like every year, must fight on all fronts.

“It’s hard now to think about the future. We think game by game because as soon as we start looking too far ahead, we lose points.