Inter Milan had a similar problem in their Champions League first-leg defeat to Liverpool.
On Wednesday, Inter looked the superior side at times, but they’ll go to Anfield down by two goals.
Those hoping for a dominating Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at San Siro were likely disappointed. Inter Milan proved that they belong at this stage of the tournament, despite the fact that Klopp’s team‘s experience and strength were the difference in the second half of the Reds’ 2-0 first-leg triumph on Wednesday night.
The first half was well matched, with Hakan Calhanoglu hitting the post and Inter coming close to taking the lead. When Inter Milan allowed room for counter-attacks, Liverpool were dangerous. While the game was played on the wings, Inter proved that they could control Klopp’s threatening forwards, with Ivan Perisic largely engaged in a personal march against Alexander-Arnold in a goalless first half.
HAKAN… AGAINST THE BAR. ❌ pic.twitter.com/PalADULCtV
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2022
Inter Milan was also the superior side in the second half, but they were unable to convert any of their several opportunities. In particular, Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez were not clinical enough in front of goal.
After Roberto Firmino’s header from a corner kick gave Liverpool the lead after 70 minutes, Simone Inzaghi’s squad began to lose confidence. They let up another goal to Mohamed Salah only a few minutes later.
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Inter Milan continued their troubling tendency in their first-leg defeat. For the most of the encounter, Inzaghi’s squad seemed to be the better side, as it had earlier in the month in the Milan derby. However, something shifted in this team’s thinking after surrendering a goal. They seem frightened, insecure, and have entirely altered their demeanour.
“We hope that we don’t have to play Liverpool in every match,” Inzaghi said in the post-match interview. “I’m happy of the squad; we had a terrific game,” he remarked, “but we didn’t receive the rewards we deserved from our greatest moments.” “Then we were punished by a fantastic goal the first time we shut off.”
“I commended the squad on their effort; we deserved more, but what we shown today should augur well for the future.” Inter have defeated one of Europe’s two best teams; nights like this must instil confidence in us because we played a fantastic match. This match, I believe, should serve as a starting point. We’ve had a lot of good games this season, but we’ve never faced a team as good as Liverpool.”
Inter Milan will now go to Anfield (streaming on Paramount+) next month, requiring two goals to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. Inzaghi and Inter must break the habit of surrendering after conceding a goal. Wednesday must serve as a cautionary tale for the future.
After his first Champions League assist against Bayern Munich, Brenden Aaronson bursts with pride.
On Wednesday night, Brenden Aaronson turned in one of his greatest performances of his young career in his most high-profile game yet.
In RB Salzburg’s 1-1 tie with Bayern Munich, the 21-year-old USMNT playmaker finished a fantastic Champions League performance with an assist.
Aaronson, who joined Salzburg from the Philadelphia Union last year, set up Chukwubuike Adamu to give his team an unexpected lead in the first leg of the last 16 match.
Aaronson seemed to miscontrol Karim Adeyemi’s ball neatly into Adamu’s path, which may have contributed to the assist.
If it was done on purpose, it was one of the most elegant and brilliant passes ever seen on the Champions League stage.
Aaronson was a thorn in Bayern’s side all night, regardless of whether he intended it or not.
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“It’s a dream come true to play on the biggest stage and to get a result like that…it’s amazing.”
Brenden Aaronson on RB Salzburg’s performance against Bayern. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/SKwZxNyOKk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2022
He made five crucial passes, more than any other player on the field, and was unfortunate not to be on the winning team.
Despite the late equaliser by Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman in the 90th minute, Aaronson was beaming with satisfaction as he talked to CBS after the game.
“It’s a dream come true to play on the largest platform and receive such a result… it’s incredible,” he remarked.
In the CBS studio, France great Thierry Henry singled out Aaronson for admiration.
“My responsibility as a 10 is always to play within the lines,” the young American remarked of his own performance.
“As a number 10, you receive assists and shoot tonight, so if I can pick up the ball and attempt to locate the last pass, that is what you do.” That’s exactly what I was aiming for.”
“We got the ball in behind and we counterattack pretty effectively,” he said of the team’s performance.
“We were amazing like that tonight, and we need to keep doing it.”
“Bayern is a difficult side to play against when they have the ball, so we’ll keep working on it and prepare for the second leg.”
“It’s wonderful,” Aaronson remarked of Salzburg’s average age versus Bayern. There are a lot of young men.
“It’s insane how much talent there is.” All we have to do now is keep moving forward.”
Aaronson might have a great year in 2022, as he is projected to play a key part for the United States in the FIFA World Cup.
To date, he has 18 caps and five goals in international play.
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- Manchester United’s Champions League hopes are raised thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroics.
source: cbssports
