Europa League, Inter 2 - 1 Ludogorets: match review

MILAN – It isn’t easy to show consistency, rhythm, concentration and tenacity in a stadium without the crowd. However, behind closed doors against Ludogorets, Inter managed to play with great character. They won a game that at one point took a turn for the worse as the away side took the lead which threatened to throw the door open in the tie. However, that little scare lasted no longer than five minutes. Inter achieved all their aims: focus on qualifying, minimise risks, take advantage of the game to try out new things.

Ludogorets were more aggressive and had more quality in attack than in the first leg where they didn’t even have a shot on target. However, at San Siro, Padelli faced four shots destined for his goal. Although that attacking production didn’t compare to Inter’s: 15 shots, eight on target. What the stats show, unsurprisingly, is that Inter completely controlled the second half where they struck the woodwork twice: Sanchez hit the bar and Lukaku struck the post. In the first half, the Nerazzurri exploited space down the flanks, especially on the left, then in the second half, the pairing of Sanchez and Lukaku came to the fore in their fourth appearance of the season as a duo.

Conte used a fairly fluid system: not the classic 3-5-2 but rather a mobile 4-4-2 with Biraghi occupying the space down the left created when Erisken moved infield. A tactic that needs working on but that nevertheless created the equaliser: the Danish player provided the assist and Cristiano Biraghi scored his first goal for the Nerazzurri before celebrating by kissing the Inter badge. Let’s analyse the performance of those two.

Eriksen started wide left, a position he has played at Tottenham, which meant he had many touches (81) and made 47 passes with a 93% success rate. A very high figure, however, it wasn’t to match with the almost perfect percentage of Borja Valero who once again completed almost 100% of his passes. The Spaniard directed the game completing 61 out of 63 passes, 96.8% accuracy. As well as his assist, Eriksen made eight crosses, but above all competed in 14 duels, made four tackles, two interceptions and regained possession eight times which was joint top for the match with Godin. It was a productive match for the Dane who created three chances and had two shots saved: all this shows he's integrating further into the Nerazzurri’s plans.

Then there’s Cristiano Biraghi whose life as a boy was dedicated to Inter and whose goal is reward for his perseverance. The left wing-back was influential in Inter’s attacking moves with constant contribution as he created numerical superiority down the left, as shown by the goal. Sanchez was also very lively: five shots, lots of dribbling, the assist for Lukaku’s goal and a thunderous strike against the bar.

Finally, Lukaku who, albeit fortunately, scored his 23rd goal of the season and was a pillar of strength throughout. He became the second player in Inter’s history to score at least two goals in four different competitions during a single season for the Nerazzurri. Previously only Samuel Eto’o had managed that feat in the 2010/11 season.