{"id":235124,"date":"2018-09-18T16:13:21","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T20:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=235124"},"modified":"2018-09-18T16:13:21","modified_gmt":"2018-09-18T20:13:21","slug":"individual-brilliance-from-inter-condemn-tottenham-to-defeat-in-champions-league-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/09\/18\/individual-brilliance-from-inter-condemn-tottenham-to-defeat-in-champions-league-opener\/","title":{"rendered":"Individual Brilliance From Inter Condemn Tottenham to Defeat in Champions League Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite wrestling control from the home side for most of the game, Tottenham<\/a> suffered a 2-1 loss in the San Siro against Inter Milan. A spectacular goal from Mauro Icardi and an injury-time header from Mat\u00edas Vecino condemned Mauricio Pochettino to his third defeat in a row for the first time as Tottenham boss.<\/p>\n

Tottenham Condemned to Defeat in Champions League Opener<\/h1>\n

A Sluggish Start<\/h2>\n

The first 20 minutes were a clear reflection of both sides\u2019 lacklustre domestic form. With no attacking impetus from either side, Inter knocked the ball nonchalantly around the midfield without ever threatening to surge forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no wonder Inter had a lot of the early possession; Tottenham were incapable of keeping the ball. Dwindling runs from Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele were easily stopped and Spurs repeatedly insisted on playing to feet in confined spaces. Moreover, with Inter pressing them high in their half, watching Spurs trying to keep possession was infuriating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their defensive press was similarly lacklustre, which often allowed Kwadwo Asamoah maraud forward from left-back. Marcelo\u00a0Brozovic seemed to stroll around the middle of the pitch, dictating the play. Eric Dier and Dembele playing in front of the back four offered little mobility, which did not help them remotely.<\/p>\n

Spurs Gradually Established Control<\/h2>\n

As the first half progressed, there were signs of improvement from Tottenham. They kept a more stringent hold on possession and worked the ball effectively down Serge Aurier\u2019s flank on occasion. They then carved out the game\u2019s first genuine opportunity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Eriksen clipped a delicious ball over the top into Harry Kane, who took the ball down with a fantastic first touch. Instead of trying to fire past the advancing Handanovic, he tried to round the keeper. A sloppy touch sent the ball out of play; one would assume that a sharp, fully-fit Kane would have found the net.<\/p>\n

The spectacle was improved after the break, with both teams looking to move the ball vertically and quicker. Eventually, the deadlock was broken after 53 minutes, when dogged pressure from Eriksen was rewarded.<\/p>\n

Eriksen Gives\u00a0Tottenham the Lead<\/h2>\n

A ferocious shot from distance was parried by Handanovic, before Eriksen reacted quickest to the rebound. His second shot then deflected off Miranda and spiralled over the Slovenian. It gave Spurs a lead that Inter seemed inclined to gift them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/LastWordOnSpurs\/status\/1042113780585521153<\/p>\n

This was the spark the game utterly needed. Spurs\u2019 pressing seemed to increase in intensity as the second half progressed. Serge Aurier was as impressive as he had been in the first half, with key passes forward and incisive surges into the Inter half.<\/p>\n

Thanks largely to the raucous support inside the San Siro, the latter exchanges were far feistier than the opening ones. The Inter fans willed their team forward, who moved the ball with more purpose. However, they still could not fashion a genuine chance for marksman Mauro Icardi.<\/p>\n

Icardi’s Moment of Sheer Brilliance<\/h2>\n

However, a half-chance five minutes from time was all the Argentine needed to score his first Champions League goal. A floated cross from Asamoah found him on the edge of the area and he smashed a thunderous volley into the bottom corner. It sent the San Siro into delirium and, from then on, only one team looked like winning.<\/p>\n

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Mauro Icardi scored Inter Milan\u2019s first Champions League goal in 2,381 days (Diego Milito, March 2012 vs Marseille)<\/p>\n

They are back in the big time! What a strike! pic.twitter.com\/7CQ0V6ffVj<\/a><\/p>\n

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n