I thought you were a fan of Inter Milan vs FC Porto this year. If you’re a fan of Inter, you know that the club has seen both triumph and tragedy. Their Champions League encounter against FC Porto is becoming into a nail-biter. This newest chapter in the long rivalry between these two teams promises to be thrilling. Here we will examine the history of the rivalry between Inter and Porto before the game begins. This chronology contains it everything, from shocking returns to dubious decisions. Prepare to be whirled around like a rag doll, Inter supporters. You will feel even more prepared to take on Porto after reading this. Here is every detail of the Inter vs. Porto matchup.
The Road to the Champions League Knockout Stage
After surviving the group stage, Inter Milan advanced to the Champions League semifinals. The Nerazzurri’s Group B opponents—Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Slavia Prague—were no picnic.
Inter got off to a great start in San Siro, as they defeated Slavia Prague 2-1. After that, they went to Germany and played to a 0-0 tie with Dortmund. After sweeping Slavia Prague and beating Barcelona at home, Inter needed a tie in their last group encounter to guarantee their spot in the knockout stage.
Inter won the match 3-1 on aggregate after the two legs that took place in 2020 (February and March). Romelu Lukaku and Nicolò Barella scored in a 2-1 win at San Siro. After a nine-year absence, Inter returned to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory in Porto, thanks in large part to another goal from Lukaku.
Inter is once again among Europe’s best after a long and difficult season. The Nerazzurri would appear to be in a strong position to contend for a Champions League championship for the first time since 2010 thanks to players like Romelu Lukaku and Barella as well as the supervision of famous coach Antonio Conte. Inter can now focus on European success after overcoming their knockout stage demons. The path ahead will not be simple, but they are ready.
Pre-Match Build Up and Key Storylines
This Champions League quarterfinal is a high-stakes affair. With their season in Serie A off to a shaky start, Inter Milan will be looking to redeem themselves here. In contrast, FC Porto will be out to show that they belong among Europe’s best.
Key Storylines
- With a dismal season thus far, Inter Milan is now in sixth position in Serie A. Champions League success is crucial if they want to turn things around and qualify for Europe next season. Antonio Conte, the manager, is feeling the heat to perform.
- With an 11-point advantage atop the Portuguese league, Porto has been absolutely dominant. Although they’ve only suffered one loss all season, the Champions League presents far tougher opposition. They are prepared to take on Europe’s established giants if they beat Inter.
- Lautaro Martínez, Romelu Lukaku, and Nicolò Barella, who are important players for Inter, have shown uneven performance this season. Inter will have a far better chance of winning if they perform at their best. In order to get through Inter’s porous defence, Porto will look to their top scorers, Mehdi Taremi and Sérgio Oliveira.
- Both teams have been hit hard by injuries. Midfielders Matías Vecino and Stefano Sensi are out with injuries for Inter, while Zaidu Sanusi, the left defender for Porto, is also sidelined. The winner of the two-leg match may depend on the depth of the squad.
It is sure to be a thrilling clash because to the two powerful clubs involved, the fervent support of the fans, and the prestige of winning the Champions League. As two of Europe’s most legendary clubs fight for a spot in the quarterfinals, make sure you tune in for all the action. This is the essence of the Champions League!
First Leg: Inter Milan vs FC Porto
On February 16, 2021, the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy hosted the first leg of this Champions League match. Although Inter Milan were playing at home, FC Porto had a tiny lead in the series history, winning three of their last five matches while Inter had won two.
The first half was dominated by Inter Milan, who started well. The host team took a 1-0 advantage into halftime as Lautaro Martínez scored for Inter in the 34th minute.
Quickly regaining parity, Porto’s Sérgio Oliveira scored in the 46th minute of the second half. For the following twenty minutes, the action remained well balanced as both teams had good scoring opportunities.
Then, in the 63rd minute, Inter’s worst nightmare came true. After defender Alessandro Bastoni received a red card for a hard foul, Inter played the remainder of the match with ten men. The lead went to Porto, who added two more goals in the 64th and 67th minutes through Moussa Marega and Mehdi Taremi, respectively.
Inter kept fighting even though they were down a player, but they were unable to score again. The game ended with FC Porto, the visiting team, winning 3-1. With a two-goal lead, Porto will be riding high going into the return leg at home. To progress, Inter needed a victory by a score of two or more, which was no easy task.
Inter Milan and FC Porto were preparing for a thrilling Champions League showdown. With a spot in the quarterfinals up for grabs, the second leg was bound to be a closely contested encounter.
Second Leg: FC Porto vs Inter Milan
The match between Inter Milan and FC Porto in the round of 16 of the Champions League took place at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal on March 9, 2021.
Lineups
The starting lineup for Inter Milan’s 3-5-2 was:
- The starting eleven for Handanovic’s squad consists of: Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni, Hakimi, Eriksen, Brozovic, Perisic, Lukaku, and Martinez.
- Otavio Uribe, Marchesin, Manafa, Pepe, Zaidu, Oliveira, Marega, Luis Diaz, and Corona
Match Summary
Both sides started the match aggressively, generating opportunities for each other. Even though Inter Milan had the better of the early possession, FC Porto threatened with counterattacks.
Inter Milan scored first in the 19th minute. Lautaro Martinez slotted a superb through ball from Romelu Lukaku past the custodian. Overall, Inter Milan had a one-goal advantage.
FC Porto had a good chance to tie the game, but they were unable to get past Inter Milan’s defence. At the end of the first half, they were behind 1-0.
The game shifted in FC Porto’s favour after halftime thanks to certain replacements. On aggregate, the match was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes thanks to a goal by Otavio. The Estádio do Dragão crowd went into a frenzy when they sensed a disturbance.
Until the last whistle blew, the score stayed tied. A corner kick from FC Porto sparked mayhem in the Inter Milan penalty area in the 92nd minute. Chancel Mbemba, a defender for FC Porto, soared above the onlookers to head the ball into the back of the net, extending the team’s lead to 3-2 after two matches. They knocked Inter Milan out of the Champions League and are now in the quarterfinals.
Aftermath
The media and fans alike lauded FC Porto’s miraculous comeback win. For the second season in a row, Inter Milan was criticised for letting a 2-0 aggregate lead slip away in the round of 16. Many believe this encounter to be a classic of the Champions League era.
Aftermath and Implications of the Two-Leg Tie
Emotions ran high and low following the Champions League round of 16 match between Inter Milan and FC Porto. Making it to the quarterfinals after a 10-year absence was an exciting achievement and proof of Inter Milan’s improvement this season. After dominating for large portions of both halves, FC Porto’s close loss was extremely crushing.
Inter Milan Celebrates, Looks Ahead
The club’s first Champions League quarterfinal appearance since 2011 was cause for celebration among Inter Milan players and supporters. Under Antonio Conte’s tutelage, the squad has blossomed this season, and they are atop Serie A, just behind Juventus. The squad is making progress if they have made it to the quarterfinals.
The next round will pit Inter against Real Madrid, Manchester City, Lyon, or Juventus. The challenge was met, as Inter demonstrated their rightful place among Europe’s best this season. The team also benefits monetarily from getting to the quarterfinals, since they receive a substantial dividend from UEFA. Inter could be able to bolster their roster this summer with the extra cash.
Heartbreak and What Next for FC Porto?
The aggregate loss was tough to take for FC Porto. They had more shots on goal and more possession in the first two matches, but they couldn’t convert. This Portuguese club is still on the search for their 29th Primeira Liga championship, as they currently sit in second place.
Despite FC Porto’s elimination from the Champions League, they have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, giving them a second chance at a European championship this year. In order to remain competitive for the league championship, the squad must swiftly recover for their encounter this coming weekend. Despite the disappointment of losing the Champions League, FC Porto is filled with young, talented players who will be around for a long time. Next year, they’ll be right back in the hunt.
The final score in the two-legged match between FC Porto and Inter Milan was decided by razor-thin margins. This is a huge win for Inter Milan as they work to restore their reputation as a dominant force in Europe. The tight loss will only serve to motivate FC Porto to return even stronger in the upcoming season. The future seems bright for both teams.
Conclusion
Here is everything that happened before Inter Milan and FC Porto played each other in the Champions League. You are now aware of the teams’ backgrounds, the players to keep an eye on, and the stakes. Now you only need to turn on the TV, have some food, and watch what promises to be a spectacular matchup between two of the most legendary teams in Europe. No matter who you’re supporting, you’re in for a thrilling 90 minutes of top-notch football. This is the pinnacle of the lovely game. Cheers to an exciting evening! May the top team come out on top! In this newest round of the consistently disappointing competition, who will come out on top? We will receive a response in the next several hours. Time is running out.
