Inter and Lazio resumed their European adventures on Thursday in action against Romanians Cluj and Germans Borussia Monchengladbach respectively.The Beneamata ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at home courtesy of a Rodrigo Palacio brace in a relatively routine victory, whilst Lazio emerged with a 3-3 draw in an incredibly action-packed 90 minutes in Germany.
Inter 2-0 Cluj
After just seven minutes had been played, disaster struck for the Nerazzurri as recently recovered striker Diego Milito was forced from the pitch with an ankle injury, replaced bycountryman Rodrigo Palacio.
Esteban Cambiasso wasted a glorious chance with a bit of indecision after being played clear on goal, whilst Mateo Kovacic’s strike from distance was too central and easily caught by Cluj keeper Mario Felgueiras.
The Italian giants soon broke through to take the lead, however, as Fredy Guarin thieved the ball in midfield and embarked on a driving run towards goal before sending Palacio through for the Argentine to finish with a lovely chipped effort.
Inter looked dangerous on the counter and threatened to increase their lead several times, but a number of well-timed interventions from Felgurias held Antonio Cassano and Palacio at bay.
Just before half Ionut Rada had a pair of free-kick opportunities for the visitors, but the Romanian curled the first over the bar and saw the second wonderfully palmed away by Samir Handanovic at the far post.
After the halftime restart, Cassano was wide of the mark from long range, whilst Gabiel Muresan’s fate was the same for the opposition.
Neither side would manage another shot on goal until late in the day, as Inter were content to defend in numbers and come forward on the break.
When Rodrigo Palacio finally hit the target once again on 86 minutes, his angled drive beat Felgueiras to complete his brace and give the Nerazzurri some extra insurance for the second edition of the tie.
Inter will travel to the Radulescu Stadium on February 21 to play the return leg.
Borussia Monchengladbach 3-3 Lazio
The Germans were out in front with seventeen minutes gone on the clock, with Martin Stranzl smashing his penalty under the bar down the middle after Andre Dias had given away the spot-kick with and ill-executed challenge on Patrick Hermann in the area.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was called into action on 25 minutes to deal with a bullet free-kick from Antonio Candreva, needing a desperate flap to get the ball clear after it had taken a bounce just in front of him.
Hernanes curled just over the bar from another free-kick, whilst Sergio Floccari tested Ter Stegen with a headed effort.
Monchengladbach nearly had a second soon after, but Juan Arango’s free-kick cracked off the upright and Federico Marchetti was well positioned to deny Herrmann’s attempt on the rebound.
Hernanes’ strike from distance was tipped round the post, whilst Stefan Radu headed over from the Brazilian’s cross on the stroke of halftime.
Vladimir Petkovic replaced Cristian Ledesma with Libor Kozak for the second period as the Aquile continued to search for the equaliser, and the manager’s daring was soon rewarded as Floccari smashed Lazio level on the volley from a Candreva cross.
Less than 10 minutes later, substitute Kozak flicked home into the bottom right corner, also on the volley, to give the away side the lead from behind.
The action continued as Andre Dias brought down Stranzl in the area to give away another penalty, receiving his marching orders for a second yellow card in the process. Marchetti was determined to keep his men on top, however, heroically saving Stranzl’s effort from the spot much to the chagrin of the home crowd.
Monchengladbach’s all-action right-back nearly made amends for his miss within 60 seconds, but saw his angled drive crack off the base of the upright with Marchetti stranded.
The Germans unbelievably won a third penalty when Lorik Cana was adjudged to have fouled Luuk de Jong as a cross flew in. Thorben Marx this time stepped up to equalise, sending Marchetti the wrong way.
Lazio appeared to have had enough thrills for one day, but the home side were not quite finished as Arango netted a dipping free-kick on 88 minutes to put them back out in front.
Despite their dejection, however, Petkovic’s men were able to summon one last bit of magic, with Kozak heading home from a Hernanes cross at the death to finally put an utterly thrilling match to rest.
Lazio will welcome the Germans to the Stadio Olimpico on February 21 to settle the two-legged affair in the return tie.
