Inter Milan continued their UEFA Champions League (UCL) dominance at home, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches at the San Siro (W11, D2) with a commanding 3-0 victory over AS Monaco. Lautaro Martínez was the star of the night, scoring a clinical hat-trick to ensure the Nerazzurri’s place in the last 16. Meanwhile, Monaco’s European journey took a hit as they dropped to 17th place, setting them up for an unseeded spot in the knockout play-off draw.
Fast Start Sets the Tone for Inter
Inter came into this match knowing that just a draw would be enough to secure a top-eight finish, but they wasted no time in making a statement. Within four minutes, Marcus Thuram won a penalty after Denis Zakaria nudged him in the box. Lautaro Martínez made no mistake from the spot, slotting home with composure to give the hosts an early lead.
The Nerazzurri didn’t take their foot off the pedal. Shortly after, there were calls for another penalty when Denzel Dumfries appeared to be fouled by Mohammed Salisu, but the referee waved play on. Salisu, who was living dangerously, also escaped giving away another penalty after a challenge on Thuram.
Monaco’s Troubles Worsen with Red Card
Monaco’s night went from bad to worse in the 12th minute when Christian Mawissa was sent off for bringing down Thuram, who was on a breakaway. Inter sought to capitalize immediately, with Federico Dimarco taking the resulting free kick, but Monaco’s goalkeeper Radosław Majecki made a fine save.
Despite Majecki’s heroics, Monaco couldn’t hold out for long. Their failure to clear the ball led to Lautaro smashing home a second goal from 15 yards, putting Inter firmly in control. Monaco head coach Adi Hütter responded by making a defensive substitution, bringing on Caio Henrique for Maghnes Akliouche in an attempt to stabilize the team. However, Inter continued to press, with Dimarco missing a golden opportunity to extend their lead before halftime.
Lautaro Seals the Deal with a Hat-Trick
The second half saw a drop in intensity as Inter dictated the tempo, keeping Monaco at arm’s length. Nevertheless, Inter continued to create chances, with Lautaro’s clever chip setting up Benjamin Pavard, whose effort was denied by Majecki.
However, the Argentine forward wasn’t done yet. On 67 minutes, he pounced on a rebound from Majecki after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s shot, securing his hat-trick and putting the game beyond Monaco’s reach. He could have added a fourth, but his shot from Dumfries’ cross went wide. The San Siro faithful showed their appreciation as Lautaro left the field to a standing ovation, making way for teenage debutant Giacomo De Pieri.
Monaco’s misery was compounded when they ended the match with nine men after Jordan Teze was stretchered off with a muscle injury, leaving them completely depleted.
What This Means for Inter and Monaco
With this win, Inter Milan finished fourth in the UCL standings, ensuring their place in the last 16. Meanwhile, Monaco’s defeat saw them slip to 17th place, meaning they will be unseeded for the knockout play-off draw. The French side now face an uphill battle, having won just one of their last 11 UCL away games.
Inter’s UCL Ambitions Stay Alive
Inter Milan’s dominant display solidifies its reputation as a formidable force in Europe, particularly at the San Siro. Their impressive defensive resilience and attacking prowess make them a strong contender for the latter stages of the tournament. With Lautaro Martínez in red-hot form, Inter fans can dream of a deep run in this season’s Champions League.
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