MILAN – Inter are out of the Europa League after they fell to a 1-2 defeat against Wolfsburg tonight at San Siro.
Cheered on by a packed crowd from the very first minute, the atmosphere seemed to lift Roberto Mancini’s men and they were soon on the attack through Hernanes, whose shot drew a smart save from Benaglio. Wolfsburg gathered themselves, with Dost finding himself one-one-one with Carrizo only for the Argentine to win the battles of wits and avert the danger.
On 23 minutes, Icardi again called Benaglio into action as he unleashed a right-footed shot that the Swiss did well to save. The Nerazzurri would soon come to rue these early missed chances, as De Bruyne scuttled down the right before squaring for Caligiuri to sweep the ball past Carrizo and into the net.
It was a body blow for Inter and the Germans continued to exploit the space, with first Luis Gustavo and then Caligiuri forcing Nerazzurri hearts into mouths. Nonetheless, Inter were unlucky not to be level at half-time after Guarin drew a wonder save from the ever-present Benaglio.
Wolfsburg continued to attack after the break and forced Carrizo into action again on 49 minutes, with the Argentine goalie showing quick reactions to come off his line and quell the danger. Inter needed something from somewhere, and Guarin nearly did the honours with a rasping long-range effort on the hour mark.
The Nerazzurri were knocking on the door and again came close in the 65th minute. Palacio played a neat one-two with Hernanes before bursting into the box and unleashing a right-footed strike, but Benaglio was there to deny him once more. Hernanes had a shot of his own three minutes later, but the Brazilian’s effort finished just wide of the post.
Lady Luck seemed to have deserted Roberto Mancini’s men, but there was finally something for the San Siro faithful to cheer in the 70th minute as another bit of cute link-up play between Hernanes and Palacio saw the Brazilian scoop the ball over the Wolfsburg defence for El Trenza to bundle home. Unfortunately for Inter, there was to be no show-stopping finale as Bendtner scored in he 88th minute to dash Nerazzurri hopes and curtail their Europa League adventure once and for all.
INTER 1-2 WOLFSBURG
Scorers: Caligiuri 24, Palacio 70, Bendtner 89.
INTER: 30 Carrizo; 14 Campagnaro (D'Ambrosio 68), 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus, 21 Santon; 13 Guarin, 18 Medel; 88 Hernanes, 10 Kovacic (Kuzmanovic 55), 8 Palacio; 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 1 Handanovic, 15 Vidic, 28 Puscas, 91 Shaqiri.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
WOLFSBURG: 1 Benaglio; 15 Trasch, 5 Klose, 31 Knoche, 34 Rodriguez; 23 Guilavogui, 22 Luiz Gustavo; 8 Vieirinha, 14 De Bruyne (Arnold 85), 7 Caliguri (Perisic 73); 12 Dost (Bendtner 63).
Subs not used: 20 Grun, 4 Schafer, 17 Schurrle, 24 Jung.
Coach: Dieter Hecking.
Booked: De Bruyne 84, Arnold 86, Medel 87.
Added time: 1 + 2 mins.
Referee: Clattenburg.
Assistants: Beck, Collin.
Fourth official: Burt.
Additional assistants: Taylor, Friend.
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