Liverpool won 2-0 at Inter Milan on February 16, 2022 in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. The English club will have to confirm on March 8, in the return match.
Inter Milan can harbor regrets for their first round of 16 in the Champions League since 2012. The Italian club has indeed been applied in the first leg of this 2021-2022 edition, this February 16. But he came across a confident and efficient Liverpool.
However, it was the Inter players who obtained by far the clearest opportunity of the first period. In the 15th minute, midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu, served on the left, chained control with the right foot and half-volley with the left foot. The ball hits the crossbar but rebounds in front of the goal line.
On the English side, apart from a whim (14th) and an acrobatic return (23rd) from striker Sadio Mané, it is difficult to be dangerous. On the hour mark, coach Jürgen Klopp made three changes and also brought the Senegalese out. Guinean Naby Keita returns to help his team regain control of operations.
Paying tactical adjustments for Liverpool
These tactical adjustments seem to bear fruit since in the 75th minute, the “Reds” open the scoring. On a corner kick taken by Andrew Robertson, Roberto Firmino places an uncrossed header which surprises the opposing goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic: 0-1. And soon 2-0, when Mohamed Salah still punishes Inter in front of his public. On an aerial ball, Virgil Van Dijk backs up with his head. The Egyptian rushes and resumes in pivot: 0-2, 83rd.
With such a comfortable lead, Liverpool can calmly approach the return match, scheduled for March 8.