Inter return to a European semi-final after 10 years

Inter won their first European semi-final since 2010, defeating Leverkusen 2-1 with a score that was too tight from what was seen in the countryside. The Italians seemed to solve the process in just 20 minutes. An intense and orderly start to the match led them to go ahead with Barella, who took advantage of Sinkgraven's rejection after a shot from Lukaku and beat Hradecky with the outside standing. The Belgian, at 21 ', made it 2-0 with his impressive physical power, defending the ball in the heart of the area against Tapsoba and beating the rival goal with a shot while falling to the ground.

It was somewhat historic: with this one, the striker added nine consecutive Europa League games scoring goals and beat Alan Shearer's record. Four minutes later, however, Havertz was confirmed as the most dangerous man between the Germans closing distances after a combination with Volland.

The most exciting stretch of the match ended with a possible penalty for a hand by Sinkgraven that the referee conceded and then canceled after having seen the VAR images. In the resumption, Conte's men touched 3-1 several times, but wasted too many chances and in discount the video arbitration removed another penalty, which the referee whistled for a foul by Bellarabi on Eriksen (which came in very well in the 60th minute), and canceled for a hand from Barella. The 3-1 did not come, but the classification did. And it was well deserved.

Solskjaer: “We knew we had to be patient”

The technician of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was “very satisfied” this Monday by the tight victory of his team against him Copenhagen, appreciated the patience of his team and recalled that the important thing was to go to the semifinals.

“We knew we had to be patient. We created many opportunities, but the little details like the posts or an offside by centimeters prevented us from scoring more goals “the Norwegian coach told Danish television “6'eren”.

Solskjaer said not to be surprised by the resistance of the rival, which forced an extension that few expected, and assured that it is a “very well organized” team. and that the game was no more difficult than I would have imagined.

Norwegian coach praised the performance of Copenhagen goalkeeper Kalle Johansson, who assured he had played “the game of his life”.

“I am very satisfied with the response of the players and for having reached the semifinals,” he said.

Solskjaer nevertheless admitted that his team had made some mistakes that gave options to mark the rival.

Solbakken: “Their individuals decided in overtime”

The technician of Copenhagen, Satle Solbakken, stressed this Monday at the end of the Europa League quarterfinal match that his team had stood up in regulation time, but that the quality of the Manchester United decanted the result.

“The first ninety minutes were very even, anyone could have won. Then we get tired and their individualities decided in the extension. In the end they won fairly, “Solbakken told the Danish channel. “6'eren” at the end of the game.

The Norwegian coach called his team's performance “fantastic” against a much more powerful opponent.

“We had players who have never performed at this level before. But we stayed alive until the end,” he said.