ROTTERDAM (HOLLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Unlike what happened just two weeks ago, this time the Netherlands holds no nasty surprises for Italian soccer. In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, in fact, Inter won 2-0 against Feyenoord, mortgaging qualification to the quarters. At De Kuip, between the two halves, Thuram and Lautaro scored the two decisive goals: in the second half Zielinski missed the penalty kick of the possible 3-0.
After an initial study phase, Inzaghi’s team manages to take the reins of the match, snuffing out the Dutch lineup’s ardor. The Nerazzurri come to Rotterdam in total emergency on the side lanes with Dumfries as the only available outside role: so it is Bastoni and Dumfries who interchange on the left flank to make up for the emergency. Feyenoord fares no better, lacking a couple of starters, including Timber, Stengs, Trauner and Milambo.
Only in the beginning of the match did Inter suffer from the hosts’ aggressiveness and sinned by frenzy when in possession of the ball. Already after three minutes Martinez has to get his gloves dirty, parrying an attempt from the left by Osman, one of the most pummeling in the Dutch ranks. As the minutes pass, however, Inzaghi’s boys take the measures of their opponents, closing the first half on a crescendo. Inter had the merit of unblocking the result at the first real chance of the match: at 38′, in fact, on Barella’s cross, Thuram sealed the 1-0 in acrobatics, sending the ball under the crossbar.
In the final half, Lautaro came close to doubling the score, finding the prompt response of Wellenreuther who deflected it into a corner. The Argentine’s goal, however, was part of the evening’s script and came at 50′ after a persistent move by the Nerazzurri. Thanks to a powerful shot under the crossbar from inside the box, Lautaro entered club history, becoming Inter’s all-time top scorer in the top competition. The hosts tried to fight back in 56′, chipping the crossbar with Moder.
Inter, however, quickly regrouped and at 63′ the Var called Eskas’ attention to a foul contact by Mitchell on Thuram. The Norwegian whistle blower thus awarded the penalty, but from the penalty spot Zielinski failed to score the safety goal, getting hypnotized by Wellenreuther. Guests also came close to the hat trick with Dumfries at 66′, whose diagonal shot finished just wide. The final is pure management and holds no particular ringing in store for either side. The return match is scheduled for next Tuesday at the San Siro at 9 pm.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
