Inter advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa
League as Fredy Guarin’s stunning goal earned
them a 1-0 (4-3 agg) win over 10-man Celtic .
Fredy Guarin’s superb late goal was enough to see
Inter through to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa
League with a 4-3 aggregate success over 10-man
Celtic.
The two sides played out an enthralling 3-3 draw in
the first leg at Parkhead last week and, although
Thursday’s fixture at San Siro lacked that goalmouth
action, the two sides still produced an entertaining
affair.
Celtic saw defender Virgil van Dijk dismissed for
receiving two cautions in the first half – the first of
which seemed somewhat harsh.
From that point on, Inter were well on top and only
some last-ditch defending and a fine goalkeeping
display from Craig Gordon kept the scores level
until Guarin produced something special in the
88th minute.
The Colombian picked up a pass from Davide
Santon and arrowed a shot into the top corner from
just outside the area.
The win extends Inter’s unbeaten home run in
the competition to 11 matches, stretching back to
August 2012, while Celtic’s focus will now return to
clinching a domestic treble.
Celtic had the first genuine chance in the seventh
minute when Gary Mackay-Steven bore down on
goal, but goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo spread
himself well to smother the shot.
The visitors thought they should have had a penalty
seven minutes later when Armstrong went down
under a challenge from Santon, but Kruzliak waved
away their protests.
Inter responded strongly and almost took the lead in
the 19th minute when Santon’s shot was just out of
reach of a sliding Mauro Icardi.
Celtic were then dealt a major blow nine minutes
prior to the interval as Van Dijk – perhaps harshly
booked for an earlier foul on Rodrigo Palacio – was
shown a second yellow for pulling back Icardi.
Seemingly buoyed by their man advantage, Inter
twice went close to moving ahead when Xherdan
Shaqiri was kept out by a fine block from Jason
Denayer, before Gordon saved smartly with his legs
from Danilo D’Ambrosio’s rebound.
Palacio ought to have put the hosts ahead four
minutes into the second half, but blazed over after a
clever pass from Guarin.
posted from Bloggeroid
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