Internazionale has qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League. Coach Simone Inzaghi’s team succeeded in its mission against FC Porto, partly thanks to excellent goalkeeping work by André Onana and a save on the goal line by Denzel Dumfries: 0-0. That result was enough for the Italians after the 1-0 win in Milan those weeks ago. The elimination of Porto is also good news for the Netherlands, which is certain of sixth place on the coefficient list if Arsenal eliminate Sporting Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday.
Compared to the game in Milan, Porto striker Pepê moved back to the right-back position. João Mario, who still held that position in the first game, had to watch injured. Otávio picked up a red card in that game, allowing Stephen Eustáquio to start. On the side of Inter, Dumfries was given a starting place, while Stefan de Vrij was allowed to come in more than fifteen minutes before the end. Robin Gosens was missing due to an injury. His left midfield position was taken by Federico Dimarco. Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martínez formed the attack, so that Romelu Lukaku, last week’s match winner, had to sit on the bench.
Porto almost took the lead in the second minute. Mateus Uribe decided to give it a shot from a distance, but had to watch Onana deliver an ultimate save. Inter played a tame first half and did not seem to want to collect a goal against. For example, Denzel Dumfries stretched in the ninth minute with a throw-in, which led referee Szymon Marciniak to award the throw-in to Porto. Porto didn’t play great, but were the better team and that led to a shot from Stephen Eustáquio, who saw his attempt blocked by Onana. Inter came little in front of Porto’s goal. However, Edin Dzeko tried in vain through a deflected shot. Five minutes before the end, Dimarco had a crucial intervention in the house, by preventing Evavanilson from getting the seemingly certain opening goal with an extreme tackle.
Uribe was the first player after the break to cause danger. The Colombian got the ball from a rebound at his feet and saw his attempt fly over the Italian goal. Inter also disappointed offensively in the second half. It didn’t get any further than a deflected shot from Nicolò Barella. Although Porto also played far from great, it remained the more threatening team. Pepê and Zaidu tried with shots, which were cracked. Alessandro Bastoni had to leave fifteen minutes before the end, allowing De Vrij to come in. He saw Marko Grujic try with a treacherous shot, but Onana once again had an answer.
Porto came quite close to the lead in injury time, but the bicycle kick by substitute Toni Martínez ended up a few meters wide of the post. Dumfries became Inter’s hero by removing an effort from Iván Marcano in front of the line even deeper into stoppage time. Porto suddenly got it and created great opportunities. First Taremi headed the post, after which Martínez, also with a header, hit the crossbar. Pepê was shown red in the final phase.