MILAN - It was a complete whirlwind of emotions at the Meazza on Tuesday, as Inter dramatically edged past Spartak Moscow in their UEFA Youth League playoff. After the final whistle, both teams were still locked at 3-3 thanks to a trio of goals scored in the final seven minutes, although the Nerazzurri eventually progressed on penalties, inspired by saves from Dekic.
The match started in swift fashion, with a 7th minute chance for the visitors then being followed up by Inter breaking the deadlock just five minutes later. The goal was scored by Emmers, who made no mistake with his finish after being played in by Pinamonti. Vecchi’s side subsequently continued to press, although Spartak snatched an equaliser in the 29th minute. Rudenko found space on the left-hand side, before finding Bakaev who made it 1-1. The game’s second goal was then shortly followed by its first substitution, with Rover being brought on to replace the injured Brignoli. With confidence flowing following their equaliser, the away side soon scored their second in the 37th minute thanks to Proshliakov. As the first half came to a close, Rover did force two good saves from Maksimenko, although the interval arrived with the score at 2-1.
Not long after they returned to the field, the away side came close to scoring a third through Bakaev, although Dekic was on hand to make the save. The Nerazzurri responded in the 53rd minute, although neither Colidio or Emmers could find the back of the net. Spartak struck back once again in the 57th minute, with Proshliakov forcing a solid save from Dekic. This was then followed by Pinamonti and Zappa both trying their luck, although neither could find the vital equaliser.
With not long remaining, Vecchi threw on Odgaard, who amazingly grabbed his side’s equaliser in the 83rd minute after being played in by Pinamonti. At this point, both teams knew that anything could happen. Inter regained the lead in the 87th minute, thanks to an own-goal from Petrunin, although 60 seconds later Lombardoni brought down Bakaev in the penalty area. The referee duly awarded a penalty and Rudenko made no mistake from the spot. The scores were tied at 3-3 after normal time, with the game duly being settled by penalties.
Dekic was subsequently the hero from the spot, who pulled off two fine saves to keep out both Mironov and Mazurov. Colidio, Pinamonti and Emmers all scored for the Nerazzurri, while Rover and Lopatin both hit the post. Petrunin’s final spot kick sailed over, with Inter progressing through to the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 thanks to a to 6-4 win!
INTER 3-3 SPARTAK MOSCOW (6-4 d.c.r.)
Goalscorers: 12' Emmers (I), 29' Bakaev (S), 37' Proshliakov (S), 83' Odgaard, 87' own goal. Petrunin (S), 88' pen. Rudenko (S)
INTER: 1 Dekic; 14 Zappa, 6 Bettella, 19 Lombardoni, 3 Sala; 18 Brignoli (37' 7 Rover), 5 Schirò (60' 16 Rada), 10 Zaniolo (75' 20 Odgaard); Emmers; 9 Pinamonti, 11 Colidio
Substitutes: 12 Tintori, 2 Valietti, 4 Nolan, 17 Gavioli
Coach: Stefano Vecchi
SPARTAK MOSCOW: 98 Maksimenko; 92 Rasskazov, 26 Mironov, 68 Petrunin, 39 Ivanov; 76 Kalachevskii, 75 Ignatov (92' 81 Lopatin), 43 Volodkin; 87 Bakaev (89' 82 Mazurov), 61 Proshliakov, 79 Rudenko
Substitutes: 85 Eleferenko, 59 Yola Zepatta, 74 Markitesov, 80 Orekhov, 96 Aktisov
Coach: Aleksei Lunin
Bookings: Schirò (I), Lombardoni (I), Bakaev (S)
Added time: 1' + 3'
Referee: Nicolas Rainville (FRA)
Assistants: Pages and Jeanne (FRA)
Fourth Official: Illuzzi (ITA)
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