ROTTERDAM, Netherlands--Inter Milan took full control of their Champions League last-16 tie against Feyenoord with a 2-0 away victory thanks to goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez on Wednesday.
Feyenoord looked more dangerous the first half but Inter went ahead against the run of play when Thuram scored with an acrobatic volley in the 38th minute and Martinez netted with a shot into the top corner soon after halftime. The return leg in Milan will be played on Tuesday and the winners will face Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen for a spot in the semi-finals.
Inter dominated possession in the opening stages but the hosts launched effective counter-attacks, a low attempt at the near post from Ibrahim Osman forcing Inter keeper Josep Martinez into an early save. The Serie A leaders often lacked precision but Thuram finished off a great team move to put them ahead after the French forward struck from close range following a long cross from Nicolo Barella.
The goal lifted Inter and they doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when Martinez scored his sixth goal in this season's competition. It was the Argentine's 18th goal in the Champions League for Inter as he became club's all-time leading scorer in the competition.
Jakub Moder hit the bar for the hosts but Inter could have made it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Thuram just after the hour mark. Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther guessed Piotr Zielinski's intentions, however, and saved the Poland midfielder's low shot.
The result dented Feyenoord's chances of reaching the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition for the first time since 1971-72 as new coach Robin van Persie made his Champions League managerial debut. Inter, three-times European champions and most recently in 2010, advanced directly to the knockout stages after finishing fourth in the competition's maiden league phase.
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi was happy with his team's attitude after the hosts caused big problems for the Italian side. "(Lautaro and Thuram) played a great game, then (Mehdi) Taremi and (Marko) Arnautovic also came on well," Inzaghi told a press conference. "On the wings everyone did well, (Francesco) Acerbi, (Alessandro) Bastoni, (Yann) Bisseck, also for the availability they showed. It wasn't a simple game and the second round won't be either."
Inter's defensive solidity has been remarkable this season as the Serie A leaders have conceded just once in nine Champions League games, in a 1-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen. Spaniard Josep Martinez has been deputising in goal for first-choice keeper Yann Sommer, who has not played since suffering a fractured thumb against Juventus last month.
"Martinez showed his qualities, which no one had any doubts about. He was very good at staying calm and adapting well," Inzaghi said. "Being Inter's keeper is not easy, (but) we have a goalkeeper like Sommer who has great experience and is doing well. I will evaluate (the choice) calmly, but I am satisfied with everyone."
The Italian coach hopes to get injured players back for the return leg in Milan on Tuesday. "I think (defender) Carlos Augusto can try to be there," Inzaghi added. "(Midfielder Nicola) Zalewski too, (although) in my opinion Carlos is a couple of days ahead of him.
"I don't know if I'll be able to have (defenders Federico) Dimarco and (Matteo) Darmian in the next three matches, but there's great confidence and we have an excellent staff that's working to ensure we can leave the emergency behind us."
