Inter take a commanding 2-0 lead from the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Feyenoord with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez goals, despite a saved Piotr Zielinski penalty.
The Nerazzurri were forced to use Alessandro Bastoni as a makeshift wing-back, because Federico Dimarco, Carlos Augusto, Matteo Darmian and Nicola Zalewski were all injured, with Yann Sommer and Hakan Calhanoglu not fully fit. Feyenoord made their debut under Robin van Persie on Saturday, their third coach of the season after eliminating Milan in the play-offs. Givairo Read was suspended, with the season over for Justin Bijlow, Quinten Timber and Bart Nieuwkoop, plus Calvin Stengs, Antoni Milambo, Ramiz Zerrouki, Chris-Kevin Nadje, Facundo Gonzalez, Jordan Lotomba, In-beom Hwang and Gernot Trauner also out.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Josep Martinez made a tough save in the opening three minutes on Ibrahim Osman’s low drive at the near post, while Francesco Acerbi tested Timon Wellenreuther with a chest and volley.
Brilliant cross, brilliant finish! 💥
Marcus Thuram gives Inter the lead in Rotterdam! 🔵🔝
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
The deadlock was broken with the first genuine Inter chance, a sensational Thuram acrobatic flick off the outside of the right boot at the far post on Nicolò Barella’s cross from the right, going into the top corner.
Moments later, Wellenreuther got down to palm the Lautaro Martinez curler round the base of the far stick from the edge of the area, then in first half stoppages the goalkeeper fingertipped a Kristjan Asllani free kick over the bar.
Inter did get a second after the restart, Bastoni cutting inside a defender to pull back for Piotr Zielinski, whose shot was charged down, but then laid off the rebound for Lautaro Martinez to smash into the roof of the net.
HE SMASHED THAT ONE HOME!! ☄️
Lautaro Martinez puts the visitors in full control of the tie! ⚔️
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Feyenoord also threatened, Osman’s cross from the left volleyed to clip the top of the crossbar by Jakub Moder.
Inter received a penalty following a VAR On-Field Review, as Jeyland Mitchell clipped the back of Thuram’s heel. Zielinski stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Wellenreuther at the near bottom corner, confirming how much Hakan Calhanoglu was missed.
INCREDIBLE!!
Timon Wellenreuther saves the penalty and gives Feyenoord a lifeline! 👏
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Dumfries flashed an angled drive just wide of the far post, while Osman was booked and will be suspended for the second leg at San Siro.
Mitchell, who was not booked for the penalty, but was for a mistimed tackle, avoided a second yellow in stoppages for scything into Bastoni.
Feyenoord 0-2 Inter
Thuram 37 (I), Lautaro Martinez 50 (I)
Saved penalty: Zielinski 65 (I)
Player statistic
| 38' |  |
Marcus Thuram (Assist: Nicolò Barella) |
| 50' | |
Lautaro Martínez (Assist: Piotr Zielinski) | ||
| 65' |  |
Piotr Zielinski | ||
| Jeyland Mitchell |  |
68' | ||
| Timon Wellenreuther | |
71' | ||
| 74' | |
Alessandro Bastoni | ||
| Ibrahim Osman | |
76' | ||
| 90+6' | |
Marko Arnautovic |
Match statistic
Nice to see a real and serious team from Milano to take care of this average team…
All of Italy are with you — Forza Inter!!!
At this moment probably it is a good idea to reserve one CL spot exclusively for Inter. Unlike other teams they dont humiliate our league.