Inter Milan’s French ahead #09 Marcus Thuram (rear C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening aim in the course of the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 first leg soccer match between Feyenoord (NED) and Inter Milan (ITA) on the Feyenoord Stadium often known as De Kuip stadium, in Rotterdam, on March 5, 2025.
JOHN THYS / AFP
Rotterdam, Netherlands (AFP) —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 showdown mendacity in wait.
“Their high quality is unbelievable,” admitted Feyenoord defender David Hancko.
“Second half you might see that they have been controlling the sport and it was tougher for us to be harmful,” added Hancko.
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 primary risk for the hosts, twice forcing Josep Martinez into sharp saves.
For the guests, Thuram discovered himself with a transparent run at aim however determined to go sq. moderately 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 skin of his boot on the far submit.
The aim, barely towards the run of play, galvanised the Serie A aspect, who abruptly 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 probability 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 aim produced a superb save from Piotr Zielinski’s penalty, shifting neatly to his proper.
Feyenoord pressed to the top 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.
“Feyenoord got here out nicely just a few occasions, however I feel we have been strong in defence,” stated Inter’s Dutch worldwide Denzel Dumfries.
“We hit them nicely on the break and we made issues tough for them,” he added.
