Inter Milan booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory over Feyenoord. A 2-1 win on the night at San Siro extended their unbeaten home run in the UCL to an impressive 15 matches. The Italian giants proved too strong for their Dutch counterparts, showing class, resilience, and attacking prowess to cruise into the last eight.
Thuram’s Magic Puts Inter in Control
Feyenoord had a mountain to climb after their 2-0 defeat in the first leg, but their sluggish start only made things worse. Inter Milan wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan forcing a save from Timon Wellenreuther early on. However, the warning wasn’t heeded by the visitors, and soon after, Marcus Thuram produced a moment of brilliance. The French forward embarked on a dazzling solo run before unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner, putting Inter ahead on the night and further in control of the tie.
Inter’s Relentless Attack vs. Feyenoord’s Struggles
Despite Feyenoord’s urgent need for goals, it was Inter who continued to dictate proceedings. Thuram, in inspired form, was a constant menace, nearly doubling Inter’s lead after another lung-busting run. He unselfishly set up Mehdi Taremi on the edge of the box, but Wellenreuther made a crucial stop. The Dutch side barely posed a threat in the first half, yet they were handed a lifeline just before the break. Hakan Çalhanoğlu fouled Jakub Moder inside the box, and the Polish international coolly converted the penalty. Moder joined Bayer Leverkusen’s Nordi Mukiele as the only players to breach Inter’s rock-solid defense in Europe this season.
Çalhanoğlu Makes Amends as Inter Seal Victory
Inter resumed the second half with the same intensity, and within five minutes, they were awarded a penalty when Thomas Beelen fouled Taremi inside the box. Çalhanoğlu stepped up to the spot and made amends for his earlier error, sending Wellenreuther the wrong way to restore Inter’s two-goal cushion on aggregate. Controversy briefly followed when Marcus Thuram won another penalty, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review, with the Frenchman receiving a yellow card for simulation.
Thuram’s Brilliance and Inter’s Quarter-Final Return
Thuram almost made up for it in stunning fashion, dribbling past three defenders before striking the underside of the crossbar. The miss mattered little in the grand scheme of things, as Inter professionally saw out the game to secure their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since their 2022/23 final appearance. Feyenoord, on the other hand, suffered yet another disappointing outing in Italy, extending their winless streak in European away matches against Italian opposition to nine games.
What This Means for Inter Milan
Inter’s qualification marks another step in their quest for European glory. Their defensive solidity, attacking flair, and tactical discipline make them a formidable contender in the latter stages of the UCL. With their form at San Siro rock solid and their squad firing on all cylinders, the Nerazzurri will be a team to watch in the quarter-finals.
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Final Thoughts
Inter Milan’s dominant performance against Feyenoord underlines their strength in Europe. With a well-balanced squad and a winning mentality, they are shaping up as serious contenders for the Champions League crown. As they march into the quarter-finals, the excitement builds – can they go all the way this time?
