Taremi on target to help Inter hammer Red Star
Iran international striker Mahdi Taremi bagged his first goal in Nerazzurri colors as Inter Milan swept aside Red Star Belgrade 4-0 at the San Siro to claim a first victory in the new UEFA Champions League season.
Taremi, who also provided Marko Arnautovic and Lautaro Martinez with a couple of assists, scored from the spot with nine minutes left on the clock to walk away with the Player of the Match prize in his only third start for the Serie A champion since joining as a free agent from Porto in the summer.
Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu put Inter in front with a stunning free kick in the 11th minute but the home crowd had to wait until the hour mark for a second goal, when Taremi stole the ball behind the opposition box before teeing up Arnautovic, who tapped in from 10 yards out.
Taremi’s contribution to the third goal came in similar fashion 11 minutes later as the Iranian dispossessed Uros Spajic of the ball and, despite being tripped by the Serbian defender, managed to get up and send Martinez through.
Martinez returned the favor shortly afterwards, with the Argentine skipper winning a penalty and then handing the ball to the Iranian to take the spot kick.
Taremi had to wait long before taking his penalty amid problems with the VAR communication system, but sent Red Star keeper Omri Glazer the wrong way with a cool touch.
“I am happy to have scored tonight, I managed to play well thanks to my teammates who helped me,” Taremi told Sky after the game.
“I am really excited, it took me a while to score but I have always done my best in training, I fought hard for this and finally managed to score. I thank Lautaro for leaving me the penalty. He is the captain and a team player. We are a family and I am very happy to play for such an important club,” added the Iranian, who was also part of the starting XI when Inter played to a goalless stalemate away to Manchester City on the opening night of the European elite clubs’ competition.
Taremi said he expects another deep run from his club, which made it to the 2022/23 final, in the revamped tournament.
“Our goal as a big club is to reach the final, as Inter must try to win every game. We›ll take it step by step.”