Inter beat Ludogorets and progress to the Europa League round of 16

MILAN – Mission accomplished for Inter who, behind closed doors at San Siro, beat Ludogorets once again and progress to the Europa League round of 16. Cristiano Biraghi netted his first goal for the Nerazzurri and Romelu Lukaku scored yet again this season to cancel out Cauly’s opener and make sure Inter came away victorious. The Nerazzurri managed the game with great character, while Sanchez and Lukaku’s second-half strikes against the woodwork proved their dominance.

They were without the crowd’s support but had the hunger to take to the pitch with concentration and the joint aim of progressing to the next round. It was a cagey start which was opened up by Romelu Lukaku’s run towards goal in the fifth minute: the counter-attack ended with Belgian’s right-footed shot being saved by Iliev in a one-on-one. That passage sparked the game into life. It was the fourth time this season that Inter started with Sanchez and Lukaku up front and it was through that duo that the Nerazzurri’s most dangerous chances came about. Ludogorets were much more courageous than in the first leg and posed a much bigger threat offensively through the movement of the Brazilians around Keseru. Wanderson was one of the liveliest, but it was Cauly who found the net unexpectedly. Inter were in control with Sanchez threatening up front, but Conte’s team found themselves behind in the 26th minute: Marcelinho’s cross from the right found Cauly who nipped in front of Godin and stabbed past Padelli from close range. That goal could have potentially livened up the tie but Inter quickly erased any danger. The two wing-backs were at the heart of it: first Moses threatened down the right creating a chance for Sanchez, then it was Biraghi’s turn as he scored his first goal for the Nerazzurri (in his 26th appearance) after firing home from Eriksen’s through ball. Biraghi latched on to the ball and fired an effort at Iliev, his cross-cum-shot going straight through the keeper after a deflection off Terziev. A goal that brought security and peace of mind for everyone at Inter, as well as one that really took the wind out of Vrba’s side. Inter upped the tempo after the leveller (ending the first half with twelve shots on goal and seven on target), with Iliev being called into action to keep out Barella from distance. Then, in the last of the four minutes of added time, Lukaku secured qualification for Inter. A quick one-two on the edge of the area with Sanchez, our Chilean’s chipped ball in and then a super header by Lukaku that was just about kept out by the keeper. However, the rebound fell right onto Romelu’s head and bounced into the net to make it 2-1 to Inter.

With qualification all but secured, the second half saw a much slower rhythm compared to the first. Ludogorets dropped off their press and Inter had much more time to manage the ball, especially at the start of the half. Sanchez rattled the crossbar just seven minutes in with a rocket off his right, reminiscent of Eriksen’s efforts in the first leg. Inter saw themselves denied by the woodwork yet again in the 59th minute, Iliev doing well to tip Lukaku’s effort onto the post. This was the last involvement for our Belgian, who was then replaced by Esposito. Conte made more changes to freshen things up, Brozovic coming on for Barella at half-time and Bastoni coming on for D’Ambrosio. Ludogorets found a new lease of life in the closing stages of the game, the guests looking for the goal that would gift them a draw on the night. Nothing came however, largely thanks to a superb save from Padelli to keep Swierczok out in the 68th minute.

Then, the full-time whistle blew on a 2-1 win for Inter and the Nerazzurri flew through to the Europa League round of 16. The draw takes place tomorrow at 13:00 CET in Nyon as we discover our next opponents, with the games to be played on 12 and 19 March. Meanwhile, all attentions turn to the big one away to Juventus on Sunday. Forever and always, Forza Inter!

INTER 2-1 LUDOGORETS

INTER (3-5-2): 27 Padelli; 33 D'Ambrosio (95 Bastoni 76'), 13 Ranocchia, 2 Godin; 11 Moses, 23 Barella (77 Brozovic 46'), 20 Borja Valero, 24 Eriksen, 34 Biraghi; 9 Lukaku (30 Esposito 62'), 7 Sanchez.Substitutes: 35 Stankovic, 8 Vecino, 37 Skriniar, 87 Candreva.Coach: Antonio Conte.

LUDOGORETS (4-2-3-1): 23 Iliev; 4 Cicinho, 21 Grigore, 5 Terziev, 3 Nedyalkov; 18 Dyakov, 25 Badji; 95 Cauly, 84 Marcelinho (8 Biton 83'), 88 Wanderson (13 Tchibota 70'); 28 Keseru (10 Swierczok 64').Substitutes: 27 Stoyanov, 6 Tawatha, 22 Ikoko, 30 Moti.Coach: Pavel Vrba.

Scorers: 26' Cauly (L), 32' Biraghi (I), 45+4' Lukaku (I)Yellow Card: D'Ambrosio (I)Added Time: 4', 3'.

Referee: Siebert (GER).Assistants: Seidel, Foltyn.Fourth Official: Stegemann.VAR and VAR Assistant: Dankert, Gittelmann.