PSV 1 Inter 2: Nainggolan, Icardi complete another comeback

Radja Nainggolan and Mauro Icardi scored either side of half-time to give Inter a hard-earned win over PSV.

Published : Oct 04, 2018 02:38 IST

Radja Nainggolan of Inter Milan scores his team's first goal past Jeroen Zoet of PSV Eindhoven during the Group B match of the UEFA Champions League between PSV and FC Internazionale at Philips Stadion on October 3 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Radja Nainggolan of Inter Milan scores his team's first goal past Jeroen Zoet of PSV Eindhoven during the Group B match of the UEFA Champions League between PSV and FC Internazionale at Philips Stadion on October 3 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
lightbox-info

Radja Nainggolan of Inter Milan scores his team's first goal past Jeroen Zoet of PSV Eindhoven during the Group B match of the UEFA Champions League between PSV and FC Internazionale at Philips Stadion on October 3 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Inter kept pace with Barcelona at the top of Group B in the Champions League after coming from behind to secure a 2-1 away win over PSV on Wednesday.

Radja Nainggolan's first European goal for his new club and a cool Mauro Icardi finish on the hour gave the Nerazurri its second comeback victory of the campaign, having dramatically beaten Tottenham 2-1 a fortnight ago.

No late fireworks were required on this occasion, although Inter was still made to work for its fifth straight victory in all competitions after falling behind to a Pablo Rosario stunner.

Nainggolan restored parity on the stroke of half-time before Icardi, one of the heroes of the Spurs success, took Luciano Spalletti's side level on points with leader Barca after two encouraging outings.

An entertaining first half promised goals from the outset and Rosario emphatically delivered in the 27th minute, whipping a sensational effort from right to left and past a flat-footed Samir Handanovic.

PSV Inter SnipJPG
 

Two chances for Icardi suggested a response was forthcoming, although Inter received a let-off when the onrushing Handanovic escaped with a yellow card for handling the ball outside the area.

Mark van Bommel felt the goalkeeper's impeding of Steven Bergwijn deserved red and his mood was not helped a minute before the break, Nainggolan rifling in the equaliser from the edge of the area.

Gaston Pereiro curled a shot against the upright soon after the restart but, for all PSV's promise, the side struggled to ever get to grips with Icardi.

READ: Atletico Madrid 3 Club Brugge 1: Griezmann the double

The 25-year-old's 60th-minute winner owed as much to Jeroen Zoet's error as individual brilliance, the goalkeeper colliding with Daniel Schwaab and leaving Icardi to roll the ball into an empty net.

Handanovic was required to make one final save from an inventive Donyell Malen overhead kick 10 minutes from the end that maintained his team's perfect start in Group B.

What it means: Inter on course

This was no easy for assignment for Inter, a lesson the side quickly learned during a testing first half hour.

However, just as it had been at San Siro two weeks earlier, plenty of character was on display in a fightback that means Inter is now in pole position to advance alongside Barca.

Icardi on form

Where would Inter be without its inspirational skipper?

The Argentina star was not always entirely clinical at Philips Stadion, but his hold-up play and all-round threat made him a worthy provider of the winner.

Zoet causes PSV collapse

One smart save from a first-half Icardi header was not enough to paper over a poor Zoet performance.

The PSV keeper was at fault for both Inter goals as his poor handling error led to Nainggolan's equaliser, while his wild attempt at beating Icardi to the second left Schwaab with no chance of rescuing the situation.

What's next?

PSV meets VVV-Venlo and FC Emmen in the Eredivisie before hosting Tottenham, while Inter takes on SPAL and city rival AC Milan prior to a visit from Barcelona.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment