Have you been following Inter Milan this season? As an Inter fan, you’re aware that the club has had its ups and downs, moments of glory and heartbreak. Their Champions League match against FC Porto is shaping up to be a thriller. These two clubs have a long history, and the latest chapter is sure to be exciting. Before we get started, let’s take a look at how Inter and Porto have clashed in the past. This timeline has it all, from dramatic comebacks to dubious calls. Inter fans, buckle up because you’re in for a wild ride down memory lane. You’ll be even more pumped to face Porto by the end. This is the complete Inter vs. Porto history.
The Road to the Knockout Stage of the Champions League
Inter Milan had to first get through the group stage in order to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri were drawn in Group B and faced tough opponents in Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Slavia Prague.
Inter got off to a fast start, defeating Slavia Prague 2-1 at San Siro. They then traveled to Germany, where they earned a hard-fought 0-0 tie against Dortmund. Inter needed only a draw in the final group match to advance after two victories over Slavia Prague and a home win over Barcelona.
Inter and Barcelona drew 1-1 in Milan, sending Inter through as group runners-up behind Barça. Inter was drawn in the Round of 16 alongside Portuguese champions Porto.
Inter won 3-1 on aggregate over two legs in February and March 2020. Romelu Lukaku and Nicol Barella scored in a 2-1 victory at San Siro. Lukaku scored again in the return leg, as Inter advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in nearly a decade with a 1-0 victory in Porto.
Inter is back among Europe’s elite after years of struggle. The Nerazzurri appear poised to challenge for their first Champions League title since 2010 with talent such as Lukaku and Barella and under the guidance of renowned coach Antonio Conte. The road ahead will not be easy, but with their knockout stage demons defeated, Inter can now focus on continental glory.
Pre-Match Development and Key Storylines
In this Champions League knockout match, the stakes are high. Inter Milan, who have struggled in Serie A this season, will see this as an opportunity to redeem themselves. FC Porto, on the other hand, will seek to establish their place among Europe’s elite.
Key Storylines
Inter Milan’s season has been disappointing thus far, with the club currently sitting in sixth place in Serie A. To qualify for Europe next season, they’ll need to turn things around, so Champions League success is critical. Antonio Conte, the manager, is under pressure to deliver.
Porto has dominated the Portuguese league, leading by 11 points. They’ve only lost once this season, but they’ll be up against much tougher competition in the Champions League. A victory over Inter would signal that they are ready to take on Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku, and Nicol Barella have been inconsistent for Inter this season. Inter’s chances improve dramatically if they perform well. To break down Inter’s shaky defense, Porto will rely on leading scorers Mehdi Taremi and Sérgio Oliveira.
Both teams have been plagued by injuries. Inter are without midfielders Stefano Sensi and Matas Vecino, while Porto are without left back Zaidu Sanusi. The depth of the squad could determine who wins over two legs.
This matchup promises to be intense, with strong teams, passionate fans, and the prestige of Champions League glory on the line. Watch as two of Europe’s most storied clubs compete for a place in the quarterfinals. This is the essence 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 had the home advantage going into this game, but FC Porto had a slight advantage historically—three wins to Inter’s two in their previous five meetings.
Inter Milan started out strong, keeping possession for the majority of the first 45 minutes. Lautaro Martínez gave Inter their first goal in the 34th minute, sending the home team into halftime ahead 1-0.
Sérgio Oliveira gave Porto a quick response in the second half, equalizing in the 46th minute. For the next twenty minutes, there were back-and-forth exchanges of chances and no goals.
Then, in the sixty-third minute, Inter suffered a catastrophe. For a rough foul, their defender Alessandro Bastoni was shown 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 leg at home. In order to progress, Inter had to win by a minimum of two goals, which was an uphill battle.
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.
Lineups
- Inter Milan prepared as a 3-5-2 formation, 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
Match Summary
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 took the lead in the nineteenth minute. Lautaro Martinez slotted a flawless through pass from Romelu Lukaku past the goalkeeper. 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 substitutions 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 crowd erupted.
Up until stoppage time, the game was tied. 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 rose above the throng. After defeating Inter Milan, they moved on to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Impacts
The media and supporters alike applauded FC Porto’s incredible victory. 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 classic of all time.
The Two-Leg Tie’s Aftermath and Implications
Inter Milan and FC Porto’s two-leg Champions League round-of-16 tie elicited a range of emotions from both sides. For Inter Milan, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in ten years was a thrilling accomplishment that validated the club’s progress this season. The narrow defeat was heartbreaking for FC Porto, especially after controlling much of the play in both legs.
Inter Milan Celebrates and Looks Forward
Inter Milan players and fans alike rejoiced after the club reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. This season, the team has improved dramatically under manager Antonio Conte, and they are currently second in Serie A behind rivals Juventus. Reaching the quarterfinals is an indication that the team is on the right track.
In the next round, Inter will face either Real Madrid, Manchester City, Lyon, or Juventus. It’s not an easy task, but Inter has proven this season that they belong among Europe’s elite. Qualifying for the quarterfinals also provides financial benefit to the club, as advancing earns them a sizable payout from UEFA. The extra funds could help Inter bolster their squad this summer.
What Happens Next for FC Porto?
Read Also: Inter Milan Vs FC Porto Timeline An Detailed Overview
The narrow aggregate defeat was difficult for FC Porto to swallow. They dominated possession and scoring chances in both legs but couldn’t find the back of the net. The team is currently second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and is vying for their 29th league title.
While FC Porto will not progress in the Champions League, they have secured a place in the Europa League round of 16, giving them another chance at a European trophy this season. To keep pace in the league title race, the team will need to regroup quickly for their match this weekend. Though their elimination from the Champions League is disappointing, FC Porto has a talented, young squad with a promising future. Next season, they will undoubtedly be contenders.
The two-leg tie between Inter Milan and FC Porto was ultimately decided by razor-thin margins. It’s another step towards re-establishing Inter Milan as a European powerhouse. FC Porto will use the narrow defeat as motivation to return stronger next season. Both clubs have bright futures ahead of them.
Conclusion
The entire sequence of events leading up to the Champions League match between Inter Milan and FC Porto is now available. You’ve seen how the teams arrived, who the key players are, and what’s at stake. All that remains is to tune in, grab some snacks, and enjoy what promises to be an epic clash between two of Europe’s most illustrious clubs. Whatever team you support, you’re in for 90 minutes of high drama, passion, and world-class football.
