Inter defender Stefan de Vrij has come in for significant praise for keeping Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski from having an influence in yesterday evening’s Champions League clash.
The Dutchman received a score of 7.5/10 in the player ratings for the match published in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, who note in particular his success in the duel with Lewandowski.
No defender would feel fully comfortable against Lewandowski, widely considered to be one of the best strikers of his generation and on more than a goal a game for the season going into yesterday’s match.
The fact that de Vrij was starting his first match for Inter after being benched for three consecutive ones in favour of Francesco Acerbi only made his task seem that much more monumental.
However, the 30-year-old didn’t look to troubled as he won the physical battle with Lewandowski, showing the kind of composure and strength that have not always been seen from him recently.
In the end, Lewandowski barely got a shot away, a big part of the reason for the Nerazzurri’s clean sheet and victory.
