Inter Milan’s highly effective strike duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez mixed to provide the Italians a useful 2-0 benefit over Dutch aspect Feyenoord after an absorbing Champions League last-16 first leg Wednesday.
High quality finishes both aspect of half-time from the French and Argentinian strikers proved the distinction between the 2 groups, who meet once more in Milan for Tuesday’s second leg, with the winner of the Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen German derby mendacity in wait.
A full of life opening quarter in Rotterdam’s ever-atmospheric De Kuip noticed three-time European champions Inter take pleasure in most possession however Feyenoord carve out the clearest alternatives.
Ibrahim Osman, the pacy 20-year-old Ghana worldwide winger on mortgage from Premier League aspect Brighton and Hove Albion, was the principle menace for the hosts, twice forcing Josep Martinez into sharp saves.
For the guests, Thuram discovered himself with a transparent run at purpose however determined to cross sq. somewhat than shoot and the hazard was snuffed out.
It was a second of high quality from the French striker that broke the impasse with simply eight minutes till the half-time whistle, latching onto a curling cross from Nicolo Barella to hook it in with the surface of his boot on the far publish.
The purpose, barely in opposition to the run of play, galvanised the Serie A aspect, who out of the blue seemed far more harmful going ahead.
Feyenoord legend and not too long ago put in supervisor Robin van Persie would have been glad to get his aspect into the dressing room simply 1-0 down after an entertaining first half.
However his aspect’s arrears doubled simply 5 minutes into the second interval, as Martinez drilled an unstoppable shot into the highest nook, giving the hosts a mountain to climb.
Jakub Moder got here near getting Feyenoord again into the sport when his lunging deflection skimmed the bar.
Inter had their very own likelihood to place the sport — and doubtless the tie — past attain when Jeyland Mitchell introduced down Thuram within the field, the referee awarding a penalty after an extended VAR test.
However Timon Wellenreuther within the Feyenoord purpose produced a wonderful save from Piotr Zielinski’s penalty, transferring neatly to his proper.
Feyenoord pressed to the tip in search of one thing to take to the San Siro however the Inter defence held agency in a delightful night time for Simone Inzaghi’s males.
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