(Reuters) – Inter Milan’s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk will not decide their Champions League fate, coach Simone Inzaghi said on Monday, as he urged his side to take a more balanced approach on the ground in Ukraine.

Inzaghi’s side lost their first European game 1-0 to Real Madrid two weeks ago, leaving them behind the Spanish side and tournament debutants Sheriff Tiraspol, who surprised Shakhtar with a victory 2-0.

“It’s not yet a decisive game but it’s certainly very important. Shakhtar are a great team which are very well trained, with important individuals, ”said Inzaghi at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Group D game.

Inter have scored 20 league-high goals in their six Serie A appearances so far and won a 2-2 draw against Atalanta on Saturday.

But Inzaghi called for a more measured approach from his players as they try to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in 10 years.

“We are approaching this after a good performance against Atalanta. I really liked the team and their reaction, ”said Inzaghi.

“I asked for a team that was ready to respond and play good football and I saw those two things in the first six games of the season.

“In addition, I would like to see more balance. We attack with a lot of players and create a lot of movement, but we should probably aim to take less difficult choices, because sometimes wasting simple passes puts you in the face of dangerous transitions and counterattacks.

There will be a familiar face in the opposing outrigger canoe in Kiev on Tuesday, as Inzaghi once again takes on compatriot Roberto De Zerbi, who left Sassuolo to become Shakhtar manager in May.

“After watching Shakhtar in the last few matches, you see that he is trying to contribute his ideas,” said Inzaghi.

“He did really well in just two and a half months. He made some slight changes considering the players he has, which are of high quality.

(Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie; editing by Clare Fallon)