Two strong goalkeepers characterize the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League between Inter Milan and FC Porto. But at the very end, when FC Porto are already outnumbered, the Italians score.
Inter Milan beat FC Porto in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and put them in a good position for the second leg. Coach Simone Inzaghi’s team won the heated game 1-0 (0-0). Romelu Lukaku scored the winning goal for the Italians from close range in the 86th minute. The second leg will take place on March 14 at the Estádio do Dragão.
Both teams were in the game immediately after kick-off. Inter in particular initially created the chances after Federico Dimarco had pulled in the first minute in the penalty area. Then Lautaro Martinez (13′), Hakan Calhanoglu (18′) and Alessandro Bastoni (45′) also missed their chances. Marko Grujic missed a promising opportunity for FC Porto (37th), he couldn’t get past Inter goalkeeper André Onana.
Coach Sergio Conceicao’s side, who had not lost in their last ten competitive games, continued to throw needles in the second half, but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Onana, who made two saves against Mehdem Teremi (57′) after Zaidu blocked Sanusi’s ball had been. In the 78th minute, midfielder Otavio was sent off with a yellow card and will miss FC Porto in the second leg.
The German international Robin Gosens sat on the bench for almost 60 minutes before he ran on the left wing. With him, Inter increased the pressure and finally got through against Porto’s defense around defender Pepe. Lukaku, who, like Gosens, only came on after 58 minutes, scored just before the end and thus rewarded Inter’s final offensive against ten Portuguese.
