MILAN – Frank de Boer’s Inter side were beaten 2-0 by Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Thursday night after second-half goals from Vitor and Buzaglo.
Though both sides had chances during the game, the Nerazzurri were made to pay for their first-half profligacy as Hapoel kept their cool in front of goal after the break.
Hapoel had the first real chance of the match, Buzaglo firing in a cross from the right only for Lucio Maranhao to head just past the far post.
The Nerazzurri began to grow into the game on the 15-minute mark, with Biabiany and then Nagatomo whipping in dangerous crosses to no avail. Eder burst onto the scene in the 19th minute, leaving Taha on his behind but turning into trouble before he could cap the move with a shot. And on 25 minutes, Biabiany saw his left-footed effort repelled by Hapoel’s defensive wall.
Hapoel wrestled back the initiative just before the half-hour mark as Lucio Maranhao drew a wonderful close-range save from Handanovic, but Inter were soon back on the attack: first Brozovic’s sweet volleyed effort was deflected behind for a corner, then Eder – with the best chance of the match – cannoned a thunderous effort off the post with the goal gaping.
De Boer opted to mix things up at half time, replacing Brozovic with Ever Banega.
And the Argentine was instantly involved, sparking some exciting Inter play and on 49 minutes teeing up Eder for a long-range effort that whistled just past the post.
The cold shower came in the 53rd minute as Hapoel took a 1-0 lead. From a free kick midway inside Inter’s half, the ball fell to Maranhao in the area and the Brazilian fired across goal for Miguel Vitor to stab home at the back post.
De Boer reacted by sending on Antonio Candreva for Biabiany, but Hapoel continued to cause Inter problems as Maranhao drew another good save from Handanovic before Nwakaeme fired just wide.
And there was worse to come for the Nerazzurri, the visitors doubling their lead as Buzaglo curled home a direct free kick for 2-0.
Mauro Icardi was thrown on for Felipe Melo as De Boer looked to spark his team into life. Chances duly followed, but none really threatened the Hapoel goal.
The Israelis were nearly 3-0 up minutes later, Bitton surprising everyone – including Handanovic – with an audacious chip from the edge of the area, but the crossbar came to Inter’s rescue.
Candreva came close to grabbing a consolation goal with a free kick seconds before the end, but there was to be no denying Hapoel a famous night at San Siro.
INTER 0-2 HAPOEL (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: Vitor 53, Buzaglo 69.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 13 Ranocchia, 24 Murillo, 55 Nagatomo; 5 Melo (Icardi 73), 17 Medel, 77 Brozovic (Banega HT); 11 Biabiany (Candreva 58), 8 Palacio, 23 Eder.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 91 Zonta.
Coach: Frank de Boer.
HAPOEL BE'ER SHEVA: 1 Goresh; 2 Bitton, 4 Miguel Vitor, 12 Hoban, 5 Tzedek, 69 Korhut (Turjman 85); 11 Buzaglo (Sahar 77), 30 Ogu, 9 Nwakaeme; 20 Taha, 22 Lucio Maranhao (Melikson 66).
Subs not used: 55 Haimov, 7 Radi, 15 Broun, 17 Ohayon.
Coach: Barak Bakhar.
Yellow cards: Buzaglo 36, Bitton 42, Murillo 52, Taha 90+1.
Added time: 2 + 3 mins.
Referee: Jakob Kehlet.
Assistants: Heine Sorensen, Lars Rix.
Fourth official: Jakob Bille.
Additional assistants: Michael Tykgaard, Jens Maae.
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