Inter are through to the semifinal’s of the Europa League after a classic Pazza Inter performance which had the Nerazzurri faithful eating their fingernails to the root.
The Nerazzurri started the match really well and were 2-o up thanks to goals from Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku before Kai Havertz pulled one back. What followed was an orgy of missed chances and nervousness only Inter can subject their fans to.
Samir Handanovic – 6: Did what he had to do without much fuss. No chance on the goal. Showed safe hands in the air spreading safety around him.
Diego Godin – 6: Played Havertz onside for Bayer Leverkusen’s goal. Isn’t yet comfortable in a back 3 but makes up for it by pure determination and grit.
Stefan de Vrij – 6,5: Leader in defence doing his best Beckenbauer impression which he does so very well. A point of reference for the team.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7: Probably his best performance in an Inter shirt. Barely put a foot wrong in the 83 minutes he played before being replaced by Milan Skriniar.
Danilo D’Ambrosio – 6,5: Put in a shift of work, offering more defensively than he does in attack as always. Brought off in 59th minute for Victor Moses.
Roberto Gagliardini – 5: Simply not good enough at this level. Misplaces easy passes & can’t score to save his life. Came off in 59th minute for Christian Eriksen.
Marcelo Brozovic – 6: Struggled at times but every time he misplaced a pass he worked tirelessly to win it back. Working his way back into form.
Nicolo Barella – 7: A performance reminiscent of peak Dejan Stankovic in every aspect. Good goal, should have probably scored twice. Never stops.
Ashley Young – 7: His best match in an Inter shirt. Marauded up and down that left flank helping out in defence whilst always being a threat in attack.
Romelu Lukaku – 7: Set a new Europa League record for number of consecutive matches a player has scored in. Stronger than the Incredible Hulk. Another Man of The Match performance.
Lautaro Martinez – 6: Showed some good intentions moving forward but that final touch was missing. Substituted off for Alexis Sanchez in the 64th minute.
Victor Moses – 6,5: Good substitution by the Chelsea owned player. Defensively surprisingly well whilst being a decent option in attack.
Christian Eriksen – 6,5: Another good substitution by the Dane whose vision and creativity was miles above everyone on the pitch. Only the goal missing.
Alexis Sanchez – 6,5: His attitude and work-rate needs to be cloned and injected into every Inter player. Goes after every ball as his life depended on it.
Milan Skriniar – N/A: Came on for an exhausted Alessandro Bastoni and didn’t play long enough to be able to be rated.
Antonio Conte – 7: Again prepared his team well tactically, physically and psychologically for an important game. Should have made use of all substitutions.
Carlos Del Cerro Grande – 8: Got every single big decision right and used the VAR the way it should be used. Dear Serie A refs: watch and learn.
Inter – 7: Reached the semifinal of a European competition for the first time in a decade after a match that was typical Inter: suffering.
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