The posters of the semi-finals of the Europa League are starting to unveil. Manchester United and Inter Milan qualified on Monday in games played behind closed doors in Germany. If the Italian club did not tremble against Bayer Leverkusen (2-1), the Red Devils on the other hand had a lot more trouble beating Copenhagen 1-0 in Cologne.
Great Copenhagen Goalkeeper Game
Against Copenhagen, the English club was first scared with two opportunities from the 18-year-old striker Mohammed Daramy (12th, 17th). Manchester then set foot on the ball, taking advantage of the hard work of Pogba-Fred-Bruno Fernandes, but without succeeding in forcing the opposing lock, well protected by goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, author of a great match. At the end of the first period, the pace increased a notch and the young Mason Greenwood believed to open the scoring of a returning post but his goal was canceled for an offside position (45th). Bis repeated in the 57th minute, when Rashford saw his goal canceled again for offside, while a few minutes later Bruno Fernandes' 20m strike ended on the right post.
But at the hour of play, the Danes, far from giving in to the blows of Mancunians, have gained momentum, carried by their winger Rasmus Falk and especially saved on multiple occasions by their goalkeeper. The Red Devils relied on a penalty from Bruno Fernandes at the start of extra time (94th). The players will face in half on August 16 Wolverhampton or Sevilla, opposed this Tuesday.
Imperial Lukaku
Another favorite for the final victory, Inter Milan was carried by a very good match from their Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, imperial in the box and whose pivotal play caused many concerns for Bayer in this match played in Düsseldorf. After a strike countered by Lukaku, the ball returned to the feet of Nicolo Barella, who scored with a sumptuous outside with his right foot at the edge of the box (15th). Six minutes later, Lukaku, served by Ashley Young, made a good start to the Inter game by scoring as a left pivot (21st). Bayer Leverkusen, dominated, reduced the score in the 25th minute, thanks to a goal of the nugget Kai Havertz, announced on the side of Chelsea and who may have played his last game with his training club.
Bayer was ultimately never able to worry the men of Antonio Conte, who were refused two penalties after checking with the VAR (26th, 90th). Inter will battle it out in the next round on August 17 with Shakhtar Donetsk or Basel, who also meet on Tuesday.
These results leave intact for Stade Rennais the hope of qualifying directly for the group stage of the Champions League, Manchester and Inter having already qualified in C1 through their championship. Rennes could even avoid two preliminary qualifying rounds if Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk eliminated Basel and Sevilla FC left Wolverhampton on Tuesday night.
Sport
Two positive cases for coronavirus at Atlético Madrid 4 days before the Champions League quarterfinal
Sport
Luigi Simoni, Ronaldo's Inter Milan coach, has died
- Quarterfinal
- Inter Milan
- Manchester United
- Semi final
- Soccer
- Europa League
- Sport