Inter Milan's Dzeko next to Drogba in Champions League ranks twitter facebook reddit twitter facebook reddit

At the age of 35 years and 216 days, Edin Dzeko is the second oldest player after Didier Drogba to score a goal and provide an assist in a Champions League match.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina striker capped an impressive display to inspire Simone Inzaghi's Black and Blues to a 3-1 triumph over FC Sheriff Tiraspol on Tuesday night.

In the entertaining encounter at Giuseppe Meazza, the former Manchester City got on the end of Arturo Vidal's flicked header from a corner to drill past goalkeeper Dumitru Celeadnic.

Sebastien Thill levelled matters for the Moldovans in the 52nd minute before Arturo Vidal restored the Italians' lead six minutes later after he was teed up by the veteran goal machine.

Drogba holds the record at 36 years and 259 days after he found the net plus an assist in Chelsea's 5-0 thumping of Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena on November 11, 2014.

The 19-time Serie A winners completed the defeat of Yuriy Vernydub's side with Stefan de Vrij's 67th-minute strike.

Although manager Inzaghi is pleased with his team's result, albeit, he called for improvement in subsequent matches.

"We produced the sort of performance that we needed," he told Inter Milan website.

"They came here on a high and we knew it would be a tough game, but we played as a team and created so much, hitting the post twice and bar once in addition to scoring three goals.

"We played some great football and we just need to understand when it's not the time to make mistakes because we were on the wrong end of a few too many counter-attacks.

"There's so much work to do, but it's a pleasure to watch this team play. It was the same when we lost against Real Madrid and Lazio. It's a joy to have so many fans back at the stadium. They're an extra weapon for us, particularly considering we've played so many away games so far.

"We're getting all of our players back and that's key because you need everyone when you're playing every three days.

"We must improve in terms of letting other teams have so many dangerous counter-attacks against us."

Even at the loss, Sheriff lead Group D with six points. They host the Italians in the reverse fixture billed for November 3.