Inter Milan produced a strong away performance to clinch a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Feyenoord in Rotterdam.
Robin van Persie was taking charge of his first Champions League as manager following his appointment as Feyenoord boss last week.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward saw his team frustrate Inter for the majority of the first period until Marcus Thuram provided the crucial breakthrough to send the visitors into the break with a narrow lead.
Taking inspiration from his forward partner, Lautaro Martinez required just five second-half minutes to add his name to the scoresheet, drilling the ball home to become Inter's all-time leading scorer in the Champions League/European Cup with 18 goals.
Feyenoord were at least given something of a reprieve when Piotr Zielinski saw his 65th-minute penalty saved to limit the damage ahead of next week's trip to Italy.
However, Inter will certainly be confident of protecting their two-goal advantage in the second leg, with the Italian giants on the brink of setting up a quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Van Persie's first match as a Champions League coach was certainly made tougher by Feyenoord's extensive injury list, although he would have still been hoping to oversee a positive result in the first leg.
While Feyenoord had home advantage in their favour, Van Persie would have been content if his side got through to the break with the score still goalless.
With that in mind, Thuram's 38th-minute effort felt pivotal for the course of the tie, especially as Inter used the momentum gained from the opener to make an electric start to the second period.
Inter's extra quality ultimately proved decisive and it now seems difficult to see how Feyenoord can turn the tie in their favour in next week's trip to San Siro, especially as their opponents have conceded just one goal in the Champions League this season.
FEYENOORD VS. INTER MILAN HIGHLIGHTS
Thuram goal vs. Feyenoord (38th min, Feyenoord 0-1 Inter Milan)
Brilliant cross, brilliant finish! 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Marcus Thuram gives Inter the lead in Rotterdam! 🔵🔝
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Inter find the breakthrough in Rotterdam. Denzel Dumfries lays the ball off for Nicolo Barella to whip a dangerous cross for Thuram to attack at the far post. The Inter striker leaps in the air and adjusts his body to guide the ball in with the outside of his right foot.
Martinez goal vs. Feyenoord (50th min, Feyenoord 0-2 Inter Milan)
HE SMASHED THAT ONE HOME!! ☄️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Lautaro Martinez puts the visitors in full control of the tie! ⚔️
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Martinez doubles Inter advantage to leave Feyenoord with a mountain to climb. Piotr Zielinski sees his initial shot blocked after latching onto Alessandro Bastoni's cut-back. The ball goes straight back to the former Napoli midfielder, who quickly offloads it for Martinez to control and thump past Timon Wellenreuther.
Zielinski penalty vs. Feyenoord (65th min, Feyenoord 0-2 Inter Milan)
INCREDIBLE!!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Timon Wellenreuther saves the penalty and gives Feyenoord a lifeline! 👏
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The referee points to the spot following a VAR review, penalising Jeyland Mitchell for kicking Thuram's right heel. Simone Inzaghi appears to hold up seven fingers to indicate that Zielinski should take the spot kick. The 30-year-old ultimately fails to convert, with Wellenreuther diving low to his right to keep the deficit to two.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS THURAM
© Imago
Thuram probably edges his forward partner Martinez as the standout player, scoring the all-important opener before winning a penalty in the second period.
The France international showcased his goalscoring pedigree by making an awkward finish look simple to score his 15th goal of the season.
Wellenreuther also deserved a mention for making five stops, including a penalty save which at least prevented the tie from being completely over after the first leg.
FEYENOORD VS. INTER MILAN MATCH STATS
Possession: Feyenoord 42%-58% Inter Milan
Shots: Feyenoord 8-12 Inter Milan
Shots on target: Feyenoord 5-6 Inter Milan
Corners: Feyenoord 7-4 Inter Milan
Fouls: Feyenoord 15-6 Inter Milan
BEST STATS
6 & 18 - #LautaroMartínez set his record of goals scored in a single edition of the #UEFAChampionsLeague (6); moreover, he is now the best scorer in the history of #Inter in the European Cup/UCL (18 goals, one more than Sandro Mazzola). Epic.#FeyenoordInter pic.twitter.com/qCuVnZU4Jg
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 5, 2025
0 – Robin van Persie is the first Feyenoord manager to start with zero goals in his first two games in charge since Václav Jezek in 1978. Tough. pic.twitter.com/mI3C3TnNgZ
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) March 5, 2025
2 – Timon Wellenreuther is the first goalkeeper to save two penalties in a single UEFA Champions League campaign for a Dutch side (excl. shootouts). Wall. pic.twitter.com/5IhUzJwx7Q
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) March 5, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Inter will now turn their focus back to their Serie A title bid, with the league leaders set to play host to Monza on Saturday evening.
As for Feyenoord, their scheduled Eredivisie match against Groningen has been postponed so they can give their 100% effort to preparing for Tuesday's second leg in Italy.
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