Vecino at the death as Inter down Tottenham

Date: 18th September 2018 at 8:52pm
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A late Matias Vecino header sent the Stadio Meazza wild as Inter beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in their Champions League Group B opener.

The Nerazzurri made their return to Europe’s premier club competition after an absence of six years, with the Curva Nord displaying a spectacular choreography before kick off. However, Christian Eriksen silenced the Nerazzurri fans with a goal very much against the run of play.

However, five minutes from time, the Inter captain spectacularly volleyed into the bottom corner from 18 yards out. Then Vecino popped up in the dying minutes to grab all three points for the Nerazzurri and condemn Pochettino to three competitive defeats in succession for the first time as Spurs coach.

A rocking Stadio Meazza saw Inter come out of the blocks with a point to prove after their weekend defeat to Parma, yet despite getting in good positions, real chances were hard to come by.

Michel Vorm was called into action after an Ivan Perisic cross was deflected by Davinson Sanchez and the Dutchman pawed it clear. Marcelo Brozovic tried his luck from distance but could only fire wide.

A brilliant ball over the top from Christian Eriksen put Harry Kane in on goal, though the Englishman was offside, then Samir Handanovic showed good reflexes to deny the Spurs captain.

After the break, Matteo Politano flashed a shot from the corner of the penalty area wide. However, against the run of play Spurs took the lead.

Eriksen forced a save from Handanovic, but could only parry back into the path of the Dane whose second attempt took a wicked deflection off Miranda and looped over Handanovic into the net.

Some of Inter’s spirt was broken from that moment, as they struggled to get themselves back into the match with Spurs upping the tempo their game as well.

Then, just when it looked as if Inter would never get themselves level, Kwadwo Asamoah’s cross to the edge of the area found an unmarked Icardi who volleyed past Vorm.

It wasn’t over there as Vecino headed home to give Inter a famous win in their return to the Champions League.

DEADLY ICARDI

For 85 minutes he wasn’t in the game, completely isolated up top and until the moment of his goal had just 15 touches of the ball. Then Asamoah put in a deft cross which he finished with aplomb. This is why Icardi is so important to Inter. If he gets a chance he puts it in the net. Simple as that. What a Champions League debut for the Nerazzurri captain.

CREATIVE PROBLEMS STILL CLEAR

Despite the late win, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Inter struggled to fashion any real chances until their opener. They were the better team until going behind, but a lack of nouse in the final third was telling. Icardi was urging his midfield teammates to get closer, and when in wide areas crosses were wayward. Spalletti still has plenty of work to do.

 

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