Have you been watching Inter Milan this season? As an Inter supporter, you are aware of their highs and lows, victories and heartbreaks. It’s looking like a thrilling Champions League battle between them and FC Porto. There is a history between these two clubs, and this new chapter will undoubtedly be fierce.Let’s examine the history of the rivalry between Inter and Porto before the action begins. This timeline has it all, from shocking returns to dubious calls. Fans of Inter, buckle up for an exciting trip down memory lane. You’ll be even more eager to play Porto by the end. This is Inter vs. Porto’s whole history.
The Journey to the Champions League Playoffs
Inter Milan had to go through the group stage in order to advance to the Champions League knockout stage. The Nerazzurri were paired with challenging opponents in Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Slavia Prague after being drawn into Group B.
At San Siro, Inter got off to a quick start by defeating Slavia Prague 2-1. They then went to Germany and played Dortmund to a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Inter needed just a point in the last group game to progress after victories against Slavia Prague twice and Barcelona at home.
Inter advanced as the group’s runner-up behind Barça after a 1-1 draw in Milan between them. Portuguese winners Porto and Inter were drawn together for the Round of 16.
Inter won 3-1 overall over two legs in February and March 2020. At San Siro, strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Nicolò Barella helped the team win 2-1. Lukaku struck once again in the second leg, and Inter’s 1-0 victory in Porto guaranteed their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in over ten years.
After years of hardship, Inter is once again a member of Europe’s elite. Under the direction of famous coach Antonio Conte and equipped with players like Lukaku and Barella, the Nerazzurri are ready to contend for their first Champions League championship since 2010. Even if they have defeated their knockout stage demons, Inter can now focus on winning a European championship.
Pre-Match Development and Principal Narratives
In this Champions League knockout encounter, there are a lot on the line. Inter Milan will view this as a chance for atonement because they have suffered in Serie A this year. Conversely, FC Porto will want to demonstrate their eligibility for Europe’s top teams.
Important Tales
With their current Serie A standing of sixth, Inter Milan’s season has been underwhelming thus far. Champions League victory is essential if they want to qualify for Europe the next season. Antonio Conte, the manager, is expected to perform.
Porto leads the Portuguese league by eleven points and has been dominant. Despite their one loss so far this season, they will have considerably tougher opponents in the Champions League. A victory against Inter would indicate that they are prepared to take on the established European superpowers.
This season, Nicolò Barella, Romelu Lukaku, and Lautaro Martínez, three of Inter’s main players, have shown uneven play. If they perform at their best, Inter’s prospects increase significantly. To breach Inter’s flimsy defense, Porto will rely on top scorers Mehdi Taremi and Sérgio Oliveira.
Both teams have sustained injuries. Zaidu Sanusi, the left defender for Porto, is out, and Stefano Sensi and Matías Vecino, two midfielders, are out for Inter. The depth of the squad may decide the winner after two legs.
This battle is expected to be fierce due to the presence of formidable clubs, fervent supporters, and the potential for Champions League glory at stake. Watch all the action unfold as two of the most illustrious teams in Europe compete to advance to the quarterfinals. This is the main purpose of the Champions League!
FC Porto vs Inter Milan, first leg
This Champions League match’s first leg was played on February 16, 2021, in Milan, Italy’s San Siro stadium. Inter Milan enjoyed the home advantage going into this game, but FC Porto had a tiny lead historically—three wins to Inter’s two in their previous five matches.
Inter Milan started out well, keeping possession for the majority of the first 45 minutes. Inter made a breakthrough in the 34th minute when Lautaro Martnez scored, giving the home club a 1-0 lead at the break.
Sérgio Oliveira gave Porto a swift response in the second half, equalizing in the 46th minute. For the following twenty minutes, there were back-and-forth exchanges of opportunities and no goals.
Then, in the sixty-third minute, Inter suffered a catastrophe. For a hard foul, their defender Alessandro Bastoni was awarded the red card, reducing Inter to 10 men for the remainder of the game. Porto capitalized, with goals from Mehdi Taremi and Moussa Marega in the 64th and 67th minutes, respectively.
Inter fought on despite losing a man, but they were unable to score another goal. The score was 3-1 in favor of FC Porto, the visiting team. Porto had a significant two-goal lead going into the second match at home. In order to progress, Inter had to win by a minimum of two goals, which was an uphill struggle.
This Champions League match between Inter Milan and FC Porto was set up for a thrilling finish. With everything on the line to decide who would advance to the quarterfinals, the second leg of the match was guaranteed to be intensely competitive.
FC Porto vs Inter Milan, Second Leg
On March 9, 2021, FC Porto and Inter Milan squared off in the Champions League round of 16 second leg at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal.
Sequences
Inter Milan prepared as a 3-5-2 system, consisting of:
- Lukaku, Martinez; Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Eriksen, Brozovic, Perisic
FC Porto adopted a 4-3-3 configuration that included:
- Marchesin; Oliveira, Uribe, Otavio; Manafa, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu; Corona, Marega, Luis Diaz
Recap of the match
Both sides attacked early in the game and created opportunities. Although FC Porto appeared formidable on the counterattack, Inter Milan had the better of the early possession.
Inter Milan grabbed the lead in the nineteenth minute. Lautaro Martinez tapped a flawless through pass from Romelu Lukaku past the goalie. Overall, Inter Milan had a 1-0 advantage.
FC Porto made an attempt to equalize but was unable to penetrate Inter Milan’s defense. They were still behind 1-0 at the half.
FC Porto changes helped change the game’s direction in the second half. In the sixty-first minute, Otavio scored to tie the game at one goal per game overall. Sensing discontent, the Estádio do Dragão audience surged.
Up until stoppage time, the game was deadlocked. A corner kick from FC Porto in the 92nd minute led to mayhem in Inter Milan’s box. FC Porto won both the match and the series 3-2 thanks to a header into the net by defender Chancel Mbemba, who climbed above the throng. After defeating Inter Milan, they moved on to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Aftermath
The media and supporters alike applauded FC Porto’s incredible triumph. For the second consecutive season, Inter Milan faced criticism for letting a 2-0 aggregate lead slip away in the round of 16. It is regarded as a Champions League masterpiece of all time.
Consequences and Repercussions of the Two-Leg Tie
Both Inter Milan and FC Porto experienced a range of emotions following their two-leg Champions League round of sixteen matchup. Making it to the quarterfinals for the first time in ten years was an exciting feat for Inter Milan and a testament to the development the team has had this season. FC Porto was devastated by the close loss, especially since they dominated the most of the play in both games.
Inter Milan Rejoices and Looks Forward
Reaching the Champions League quarterfinals was a momentous occasion for both Inter Milan players and supporters, given the team hasn’t done so since 2011. Under manager Antonio Conte, the squad has made significant progress this season and is presently second in Serie A, behind rival Juventus. The squad is moving in the right path if they make it to the quarterfinals.
In the following round, Inter will play Real Madrid, Manchester City, Lyon, or Juventus. Not an easy assignment, but this season Inter has shown they belong among Europe’s best. The team benefits monetarily from qualifying for the quarterfinals as well, because UEFA pays them a substantial amount for moving further. The extra cash could enable Inter to bolster their team this summer.
Heartbreak: What Does FC Porto Do Next?
The close overall loss was tough for FC Porto to accept. Over the course of both matches, they controlled possession and scoring opportunities but were unable to score. The group is still vying for their 29th league championship and is now ranked second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Despite losing in the Champions League, FC Porto has qualified for the Europa League round of 16, giving them another chance to win a European championship this year. To be in the running for the league championship, the club will need to get back together fast for this weekend’s game. Despite being disappointed by their Champions League loss, FC Porto boasts a youthful, talented team that has a promising future. They will undoubtedly return as competitors the following season.
In the end, the Inter Milan and FC Porto two-leg match was decided by narrow margins. It’s another stage in Inter Milan’s quest to become a dominant force in Europe. The close loss gives FC Porto incentive to improve the next year. Prospects for both teams’ futures are bright.
To sum up
You now have the whole schedule of events leading up to Inter Milan vs FC Porto’s Champions League match. You’ve seen the teams’ journeys thus far, the players to keep an eye on, and the potential outcomes. All you have to do is tune in, gather your snacks, and enjoy what promises to be a spectacular match between two of the most illustrious teams in Europe.
Whatever team you support, you can expect 90 minutes of intense drama, fervor, and top-notch football. It doesn’t get any better than this in the lovely game. Cheers to an amazing evening and may the winning team be the finest! In this most recent installment of the competition that never ceases to disappoint, who will win? We will have our response in a matter of hours. The timer is running.
If you are interested in more Sports articles visit our Sports category
More useful resources: Ventsmagazine
