No business. Inter-Liverpool ends 0-2, a result that weighs like a boulder on the Nerazzurri's hopes of qualifying, now with a foot and a half outside the Champions League. THE goals from Firmino and Salah condemn Inzaghi to a decidedly bitter evening, especially since the game had said much more. Yes, because his team had played it head-on, indeed very high, creating some clear and forcing chances the Reds to suffer for a good slice of the game. But then, as often happens at these levels, the changes have arrived and there Klopp was able to fish with both hands from the bench, inserting equally strong but much fresher people. The logical consequence is that the English have raised the engine revs, then finding the episodes that decided the game, even with that bit of luck that never hurts. Inter, therefore, comes out of this first leg with a bad taste in the mouth of the defeat, but also with the awareness of have no regrets, if not for the result: if she played like this throughout the championship finale, it would be difficult not to see her triumph this time too.
Inzaghi's words
"I am happy and proud, we had a great match but unfortunately we weren't rewarded with a goal we deserved - commented Inzaghi - They scored when we were distracted for the first time, but I congratulated everyone, I'm sorry for the result because we deserved something else. I think Liverpool are one of the two strongest teams in Europe and my Inter have stood up to them, this evening must give us a lot of self-esteem, be a great starting point. We've played a lot of good games this season, but never against an opponent like Liverpool, but now let's put the Champions aside, there's the championship and then the Coppa Italia”.
Klopp's words
“Liverpool often suffers, we weren't so brilliant but it's thanks to Inter who played a good game – confirmed Klopp – Their defenders did very well and Perisic also put us in trouble. Substitutions were key, the first goal came from Firmino, however I'm satisfied with what we did".
Match analysis
The premises saw the English as clear favourites, however the pitch said that Inter played it at least on par. Suffice it to say that she had the first real chance of the match and she was also a big one: Calhanoglu's left foot he had beaten Alisson, but it was a pity that the ball was printed on the crossbar. Inzaghi, aware of Klopp's all-court pressing, chose to always play from below, aware of the risks (if you lose the ball Liverpool are in goal), but also of the effectiveness (if you miss the first line in goal you go there). And so, after a very first part of the red mold, the nerazzurri emerge, capable of splashing on the other side with a very vertical game, facilitated byexcellent performance by Dumfries and Perisic and from the usual Dzeko's tactical generosity.
The problem is that Inter struggles to materialize and certainly not since yesterday: just think of the many chances we had in the derby, useless for the purposes of the result. Lautaro, chosen by Inzaghi after a tight ballot with Sanchez, missed the chance proving, once again, ineffective in area: the opportunity propitiated by Perisic at the start of the second half should have been better exploited. However, the match is shot with changes, when Klopp removed Diogo Jota, Mané, Fabinho and Elliot to put in Firmino, Luis Diaz, Henderson and Keita, while Inzaghi, already without Barella, limited himself to inserting only Sanchez.
In the 75th minute, following the development of a corner, Firmino violated Handanovic's goal with a huge header that left Bastoni and all of San Siro astonished. Who then, in the 83rd minute, had to swallow the second bitter pill of the evening, this time from Salah, lucky to find Brozovic's decisive deflection. That's how it ended, with a 0-2 that doesn't leave much hope in view of the return (never say never, but this would really be a sporting miracle), but it helps think positive for the championship finale. Obviously, an Inter without European commitments would be even more frightening, especially since there aren't many in Italy who can stand up to them even in this way.
