After defeating Feyenoord 2-1 on Tuesday Inter Milan completed their smooth 4-1 aggregate win to set up their quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Thanks to early goals from Marcus Thuram and a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu at San Siro Inter comfortably advanced to the last eight stage before meeting Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated quarterfinal.
Inter Milan leads the Serie A standings and Italian media speculate that Simone Inzaghi’s squad can replicate the treble of league and Italian Cup wins with a Champions League title which Jose Mourinho achieved 15 years ago.
When you play for Inter it’s all about winning every match regardless of whether you believe in achieving the treble. Thuram stated that stringing together match victories will lead to exceptional achievements.
Next month Inter faces Bayern because Bayern defeated Bayer Leverkusen who previously won against Inter in the league.
The Inter coach Inzaghi hopes his first team will be ready for the season’s most important games which will allow them to improve upon their 2023 Champions League final loss to Manchester City.
“It will be a complicated match. Inzaghi noted they will face a well-trained and solid opponent but they will attack this match with the same approach they use against all top teams.
We are hoping to have the full squad for the tie and two youth team players were brought in towards the end to help us manage our current shortage of players.
Jakub Moder scored a penalty three minutes before halftime but Feyenoord’s impressive European run came to a disappointing end.
Inter had multiple chances to extend their lead but failed to capitalize before Thuram shot against the bar shortly before he was taken off to rapturous applause when 19 minutes were left.
The home team maintained their significant lead from their strong performance in the first leg in Rotterdam while Thuram prevented any unexpected setbacks during the eighth minute.
The France forward took possession of the ball from Carlos Augusto along the left wing before driving forward toward the goal and cutting inside to strike powerfully with his right foot while Timon Wellenreuther failed to prevent the shot.
Feyenoord faced near-insurmountable challenges after that goal in their game led by former Netherlands striker Robin van Persie who guided his team to show effort despite having 11 players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions.
Before Thuram opened the scoring, Inter fans remained quiet for 20 minutes to protest high ticket prices during Inzaghi’s 200th match as coach while only occasional cheers came from 5,000 visiting fans.
The Inter coach Inzaghi faced multiple key absences such as Italy wing-back Federico Dimarco and star striker Lautaro Martinez while preparing for a crucial match against Serie A title rivals Atalanta.
Calhanoglu provided Feyenoord with a chance to equalize in the 38th minute through a tackle on Moder that gave the Polish midfielder an opportunity to level the score.
Five minutes after the break Calhanoglu redeemed himself by sending Inter through to meet Bayern after he confidently scored from the penalty spot due to what appeared to be a soft foul on Mehdi Taremi by Thomas Beelen.
In my opinion the penalty was questionable as it seemed to be awarded too easily. According to Van Persie there appeared to be very little contact during the play.
The players put in a lot of effort and displayed solid defense during certain moments. We may have improved in some aspects but we faced an opposing team that demonstrated exceptional level of football skill.
I asked nothing more from the players because they did everything they could.