Inter Milan vs. Feyenoord | Champions League | Round of 16 | 2nd Leg | Pre Match
Inter Milan vs. Feyenoord
With one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals after last week's first leg, Inter Milan will aim to finish the job against Feyenoord when the pair meet again on Tuesday. The Nerazzurri, as Inter are affectionately known, head into this second leg of their last-16 tie at the iconic San Siro with a commanding two-goal advantage, a cushion that reflects their dominance in Rotterdam. That first-leg victory was a testament to Inter’s clinical edge and defensive solidity, even as the game presented its challenges. Midfielder Piotr Zielinski had a penalty kick thwarted by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther in front of a raucous De Kuip crowd, but Inter’s attacking stars quickly took control. Marcus Thuram opened the scoring with a predatory finish, and captain Lautaro Martinez followed suit, netting his 18th Champions League goal to surpass club legend Sandro Mazzola and claim the mantle of Inter’s all-time leading scorer in the competition. This 2-0 triumph underscored Inter’s imperious form in Europe this season, where they finished fourth in the league phase to secure direct qualification to the knockout rounds. Now, just 90 minutes separate Simone Inzaghi’s men from a probable quarter-final showdown with Bayern Munich, and with Europe’s stingiest defense—having conceded only once in nine Champions League matches this term—they are well-positioned to advance. For Inter fans, the prospect of progression feels almost routine given their team’s recent pedigree, including a run to the final two years ago and a current perch atop Serie A amid a thrilling title race.
Inter take a two-goal lead into the second leg of their last-16 tie at San Siro, so the Dutch club face an improbable task against Europe's meanest defence. Feyenoord, making their first last-16 appearance in the Champions League era, are up against a side that has turned defensive resilience into an art form. Inzaghi’s tactical mastery has been on full display this season, with Inter playing 875 minutes of Champions League football and trailing for a mere 285 seconds—a brief lapse during a late 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, the only blemish on an otherwise flawless defensive record. At home, the Nerazzurri have been impenetrable, winning their last five European matches at San Siro without conceding a single goal. This run includes victories over formidable opponents, showcasing a blend of disciplined organization and lethal counterattacking play. Beyond their European exploits, Inter’s domestic form has been equally impressive; they’ve lost just three of their last 24 Champions League fixtures and lead Serie A in what is shaping up to be Italy’s most competitive top-four race this century. Their recent 3-2 comeback win over Monza on Saturday—rallying from a two-goal deficit—highlighted their resilience, even if it exposed rare vulnerabilities. With 28 wins and only five losses across 41 matches in all competitions this season, Inter have overtaken Napoli, their immediate predecessors as Scudetto holders, to assert themselves as Italy’s premier force. For Feyenoord, overturning this deficit would require a historic performance, but history offers little encouragement: they’ve won just two of their last eight away games against Italian sides, and their sole Champions League away victory by more than one goal came earlier this season against Benfica (3-1).
Although Piotr Zielinski saw his penalty saved by Timon Wellenreuther at a typically atmospheric De Kuip, last Wednesday's opener still went Inter's way thanks to goals from star strikers Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. The duo’s chemistry has been a cornerstone of Inter’s success, with Martinez’s milestone goal in Rotterdam not only securing the win but also cementing his legacy at the club. The Argentine’s six goals in nine Champions League appearances this season place him among Inter’s most prolific single-campaign scorers, trailing only Hernan Crespo (nine in 2002-03), Samuel Eto’o (eight in 2010-11), and Adriano (seven in 2004-05). Thuram, meanwhile, has emerged as a perfect foil, his pace and power complementing Martinez’s technical brilliance. Inzaghi is likely to recall the Frenchman for Tuesday’s clash after resting him against Monza, restoring the tried-and-true partnership that has terrorized defenses across Europe. Inter’s squad management has been meticulous, with Inzaghi rotating players to maintain freshness while leaning on a trusted midfield core of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, injuries to wing-backs Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco, and Nicola Zalewski have tested their depth, though Carlos Augusto’s return against Monza offers flexibility. Alessandro Bastoni, who deputized on the left flank in that match, could shift back to central defense, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer—fresh off thumb surgery—is poised to reclaim his spot from deputy Josep Martinez. Dutch center-back Stefan de Vrij, a former Feyenoord youth product, adds an intriguing subplot, potentially facing his boyhood club in a high-stakes encounter.
An 18th Champions League strike also took the latter one goal ahead of legendary forward Sandro Mazzola, becoming the Italian club's all-time leading scorer in Europe's top tournament. For Feyenoord, the challenge is monumental, compounded by a season marked by instability and misfortune. The Dutch side, champions of Europe in 1970, earned their knockout-stage berth via a playoff win over AC Milan, a result that made them the first team to eliminate Inter’s city rivals in this campaign. Yet, their first-leg defeat to Inter exposed a gulf in quality, and their broader struggles—three losses in eight league games, matching their total from the previous 50—reflect a turbulent transition. The departure of manager Arne Slot precipitated a managerial carousel, with club legend Robin van Persie stepping in after a stint under an interim boss. Van Persie, a revered figure from his playing days, has faced an uphill battle, inheriting a squad ravaged by injuries. Up to 10 players could miss the trip to Milan, including key figures like Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Gernot Trauner, Calvin Stengs, goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, and captain Quinten Timber. Teenage defender Givairo Read returns from suspension, but Ibrahim Osman’s ban for accumulated bookings further depletes their options. Despite these setbacks, Feyenoord enjoyed a weekend off from Eredivisie duty—granted by the Dutch FA—allowing Van Persie to focus solely on this do-or-die clash. Trailing league leaders PSV by 16 points and eliminated from the KNVB Beker, their season hinges on a miraculous turnaround at San Siro.
While Feyenoord required a playoff to reach this stage, Inter have proved imperious in continental competition this season—finishing fourth in the league phase to qualify directly—and they are now 90 minutes away from a likely quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich. The contrast between the two sides is stark: Inter’s consistency and depth stand in opposition to Feyenoord’s fragility and reliance on a depleted roster. The Dutch club’s hopes rest heavily on Brazilian winger Igor Paixao, who has contributed to four goals in five Champions League away games this term, supporting lone striker Julian Carranza. Yet, even with Paixao’s flair, Feyenoord’s historical struggles in this competition—winning just once by more than a goal in 26 away matches—suggest an improbable comeback is beyond their reach. Inter, meanwhile, can lean on their home invincibility and a fanbase expecting nothing less than progression. The Nerazzurri’s blend of attacking firepower, midfield control, and defensive steel makes them overwhelming favorites, but football’s unpredictability ensures Feyenoord will fight to the end, however slim their chances. For Inzaghi, the focus will be on maintaining discipline and avoiding complacency, ensuring his side’s one-foot-in-the-quarter-finals stance becomes a firm two-footed stride into the next round.
