Thanks to a late goal from Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan eliminated Porto on Wednesday night (1-0) in the Champions League knockout stages. Ottavio was sent off late in the game and will miss returning to Portugal.
Saved by Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan eventually defeated Porto (1-0) on Wednesday night in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, and took a slight advantage before the second leg, in Portugal, in March. 14. Nervos, Porto Ottavio midfielder received two yellow cards, synonymous with being sent off and losing for a return, as everything still has to be played.
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The result does not reflect Porto and Inter’s offensive intentions on Wednesday. Voluntarily, but thwarted by the stately performance of the two goalkeepers, the two formations have long reaped, like Martinez, very rough in front of Costa’s goal (13th, 32nd), attentive to Calhanoglu’s long shot (18th).
Two guardians are in a state of graceBefore the end of the first half, the Portuguese fought back and doubled their attacks against Onana. Taremi charged deep from Otavio, bringing Grujic out with an inspired backheel, which was stopped by the Cameroonian’s strong recovery. On the second ball, Gallino failed to drive the ball into the net (37). On the other side of the field, Costa also saved his team. In an eccentric free kick that Di Marco hit perfectly, and Bastoni sharpened it, the Portuguese goalkeeper managed to save a wonderful reaction (45 + 3).
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The Portuguese came out of the locker room with better intentions. Moreover, Conceiçao’s men used Onana several times, solid in front of Uribe (48th) and Taremi (55th), but were afraid of Barella’s attempt, to lick Costa’s post. Shortly before the hour mark, the Cameroonian international produced a superb double save in front of Zidou and Taremi (57′), helpless. At the end of the match, in numerical superiority after the red card of Ottavio (78), Romelu Lukaku handed his team over in two. After a first header crashed into the post, the Belgian left Costa no chance (86th). A goal that puts Milan in an advantageous position ahead of the second leg, which will however be very open.
Player: Romelu Lukaku back to formAs he went through 2023 like a lost soul, searching for his past sensations, Lukaku scored his second goal in five days on Wednesday evening (after scoring against Udinese), his first two goals since the World Cup in Qatar. Entering the match in the 58th minute in place of Dzeko, the Belgian international pressed the center of Porto, Marcano and Pepe, even if he had not yet found that devastating jerk that confused the opposing defenders.
