Inter Milan made home advantage count in the first leg of their Europa League tie with CFR Cluj with a 2-0 victory this evening.
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The home side won thanks to two goals from substitute Rodrigo Palacio.
It was Cluj who started the brighter of the two teams, but both Emanuel Maah and Rui Pedro failed to find the target from just outside the box.
Ten minutes into the match Diego Milito was taken off injured, with what looked like a bad knee injury.
His replacement Palacio wasted little time in making an impact, finishing off a good counter-attack after Freddy Guarin put him through down the right.
Inter missed the chance to double their lead just before the break, when Mateo Kovacic curled his effort just wide.
The match remained even for a spell after half time with neither side able to find the cutting edge.
The home side did eventually find space in the box, but Palacio missed the chance to double his tally and saw his shot deflected wide.
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Palacio did eventually get his second of the match. With just five minutes left, he found space in the box to finish well after Kovacic's through-ball.
There was still enough time for Guarin to miss another good chance, but Inter had done enough and will take a 2-0 lead to Romania.
Daniel Cross
