Youth League, Inter beat Rennes and fly through to the quarters

NYON - One hundred and sixty-two days after their last competitive game, Armando Madonna’s Primavera side got back underway in the best way possible: a 1-0 win over Rennes in the UEFA Youth League round of 16. A deserved but hard-fought success which saw a late scare as Rennes hit the crossbar in the 95th minute. The Nerazzurri now await the result of Juventus vs. Real Madrid later today to discover their opponents for the quarter-final, with Inter back in action for that game at 18:00 CEST on Wednesday 19 August, once again at the Colovray Sports Centre in Nyon.

The game began after a display of fairplay, with Inter awarding Rennes a special shirt to thank the club for their sporting and understanding nature in light of the Nerazzurri Club’s decisions during the health emergency.

After a lengthy opening phase which saw both teams just testing the waters, Persyn had a chance within 15 minutes to open up the scoring but he couldn’t quite connect with the cross in from the left. Rennes then threatened in minute 30, but Pozzer did well to save and keep the scores at 0-0. Schiró had a chance as the half came to an end and the French side also came close with a free kick, but neither chance came off and both teams went in at the break goalless.

The second half began with another big chance for Inter’s Schiró, who attempted a chip from a tight angle, but the opposition goalkeeper did well to tip it over for a corner. Ugochukwu struck the woodwork in the 64th minute, Pozzer getting an important touch on the way. Then, in minute 77, Inter finally broke the deadlock: Oristanio received the ball and opened up play down the left, passing to Vezzoni who sent in the perfect cross for Casadei in the middle, who climbed high and thumped his header into the net. The Nerazzurri nearly found a second in the 82nd minute, as Oristanio’s effort was denied by Damergy in net. Inter then held firm to keep out the French side’s desperate efforts, which culminated in a Tel shot against the woodwork five minutes into added time. But the ball bounced clear and Inter flew through to the quarter-finals!

INTER 1-0 RENNESScorers: 77' Casadei (I)

INTER: 1 Pozzer; 13 Moretti, 2 Kinkoue, 14 Ntube; 7 Persyn, 10 Schirò, 5 Squizzato (61' Cortinovis 6), 8 Attys (46' Casadei 16), 18 Vezzoni; 11 Fonseca (67' Oristanio 10), 9 Satriano.    Bench: 12 Magri, 3 Dimarco, 16 Boscolo Chio, 19 Bonfanti.Coach: Armando Madonna.

RENNES: 1 Damergy; 2 Doue, 3 Banzuzi (82' Tel 18), 4 Assignon, 5 Doucoure, 6 Francoise (82' Waflart 14), 7 Da Cunha (74' Kadile 15), 8 Ugochukwu (82' Diouf 13), 9 Rivollier (69' Abline 17), 10 Rutter, 11 Tchaouna.Bench: 12 Eyoum, 16 Hesry, Coach: Romain Ferrier.

Bookings: Doue (33'), Squizzato (41'), Kinkoue (44').

Added time: 1' - 5'.

Referee: Silva Pinheiro.Assistants Ferreira, Pererira.