Thuram, Martinez Give Inter Edge Over Feyenoord In Champions League

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After absorbing Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, Inter Milan’s powerful strike duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez combined to give the Italians a commanding 2-0 lead over Dutch side Feyenoord.

The two teams, who meet again in Milan for Tuesday’s second leg, will compete for quality goals from the French and Argentinian strikers on either side of half-time, with the winner of the Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen showdown waiting.

On March 5, 2025, Inter Milan’s Argentine forward #10 Lautaro Martinez (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal in a first-leg football game between Feyenoord (NED) and Inter Milan (ITA) at Rotterdam’s Feyenoord Stadium’s De Kuip stadium. (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP)

David Hancko, a Feyenoord defender, said, “Their quality is unbelievable.”

Second half of the way, Hancko claimed, “You could see that they were controlling the game and that it was more difficult for us to be dangerous.”

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Three-time European champions Inter had the best of the opening quarter of Rotterdam’s ever-atmospheric De Kuip, but Feyenoord had the fewest opportunities to make the most of them.

The hosts were in a position to save Ibrahim Osman, a pacy 20-year-old Ghana international winger on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, twice, forcing Josep Martinez to make quick save saves.

On March 5, 2025, Inter Milan’s Austrian forward #08 Marko Arnautovic (C) and Feyenoord’s Dutch defender #03 Thomas Beelen (R) and Feyenoord’s Costa Rican defender #20 Jeyland Mitchell (L) square off against Feyenoord (NED) at the Feyenoord Stadium, known as De Kuip Stadium, in Rotterdam. (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP)

Thuram had a clear chance of scoring for the visitors, but he chose to pass square rather than shoot, avoiding the danger.

With just eight minutes until the half-time whistle, the French striker latched onto a curling cross from Nicolo Barella to curl it in with the outside of his boot at the far post to break the deadlock.

The Serie A side suddenly appeared much more dangerous going forward after the goal, which was slightly against the course of play.

After a successful first half, Feyenoord legend and newly appointed manager Robin van Persie would have been pleased to see his side enter the dressing room with a goal lead.

But Martinez’s unstoppable shot into the top corner gave the hosts a mountain to climb after the hosts’ arrears doubled just five minutes into the second period.

Dutch defender #02 Denzel Dumfries (L) and Inter Milan’s #02 Denzel Dumfries (L) wrestle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg football game against Feyenoord (NED) and Inter Milan (ITA) at Rotterdam’s Feyenoord Stadium, known as De Kuip Stadium, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP)

When Jakub Moder’s lunging deflection skimmed the bar, Feyenoord was on his way to regaining the game.

When Jeyland Mitchell brought down Thuram in the box, the referee awarding a penalty after a protracted VAR check, Inter had a chance to put the game, and probably the tie, out of reach.

However, Timon Wellenreuther made a wise save from Piotr Zielinski’s penalty in the Feyenoord goal by moving to his right.

Feyenoord pressed on until the end, looking for something to take back to the San Siro, but Simone Inzaghi’s men’s men’s Inter defense held firm on a successful night.

Denzel Dumfries, a Dutch international for Inter, said, “We came out well a few times, but I think we were solid in defense.”

He continued, “We made things difficult for them because we hit them well on the break.”