Inter Lukaku: Everyone knows what is happening, nobody can prevent it

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Two goals in the first leg, two goals in the second leg: Romelu Lukaku

Photo: 

INA FASSBENDER / AFP

A crazy group:

after five matchdays in the Champions League, Mönchengladbach leads Group B ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

That was not to be expected after the draw.

All four teams can go further next week.

Borussia then suffices a draw at Real for a place in the round of 16.

The result:

Gladbach lost the first final of the round of 16 2: 3 (1: 1), click here for the match report.

No firecrackers ban in Mönchengladbach:

In Germany, there is a discussion as to whether there may be fireworks on New Year's Eve because of the threat of crowds.

In Mönchengladbach, a few supposed Borussia fans still had a few batteries from last year.

They disturbed the quiet of the Milanese at around 4 a.m., but they seemed awake during the game.

Throwing the rifle from Bökelberg:

Revenge in sport is one of those things.

The Gladbachers were eliminated in 1971 against Inter in the European Cup.

Rifle throw from Bökelberg, Roberto Boninsegna, 7: 1, replay - you already know.

Coach Marco Rose was born in 1976, and yet in Mönchengladbach there is occasional talk of revenge.

The nightly fireworks put empty Coke cans in front of the Inter-Hotel and showed a banner with the inscription "Ricordati, Inter (Remember, Inter), Things go better with Coke".

What a brilliant idea.

First half:

Inter coach Antonio Conte had spared some regular players on the previous match day in Serie A, including Romelu Lukaku.

The signal was clear: after two points from four games in the Champions League, the Milanese wanted to win.

For half an hour Contes concept worked, not only because of the goal by Matteo Darmian (17th minute) Inter were the better team.

But Gladbach got better, Stefan Lainer (36th) and Marcus Thuram (37th) failed, before Alassane Pléa headed a cross from Inter loaner Valentino Lazaro to equalize (45th + 1).

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Romelu Lukaku (center) transfers Tony Jantschke (l.)

Photo: 

INA FASSBENDER / AFP

Jantschke vs.

Lukaku:

Tony Jantschke has been playing for Borussia since 2006.

After 227 Bundesliga games, the defender is no longer the first choice.

Since Nico Elvedi had to pass injured, Jantschke moved into central defense and faced one of the best strikers in the world: Lukaku.

Inter is looking for the Belgian in almost every attack on normal days, when the opponent has almost no match practice, all the more.

After 45 minutes it was over for the ailing Jantschke, Denis Zakaria was then allowed to try against Lukaku.

Second half:

The Gladbachers wanted to use the momentum of the late equalizer.

Thuram missed the best chance to take the lead when he failed to head a corner from Lars Stindl on goal (51.).

Inter became stronger and stronger in the middle of the half and scored twice in the person of Lukaku.

Pléa shortened a little later (75th) - but the unfortunate defeat for Borussia remained.

Zakaria vs.

Lukaku:

When Zakaria came on, Rose switched to back three in defense.

The Swiss got off to a good start with a consistent duel.

With Lukaku, however, it is like with Hamburger SV as leaders in the 2nd Bundesliga.

Everyone knows what is happening, no one can prevent it: 1) Lukaku hits a long ball in his chest, Lautaro Martínez hits the post (62nd).

2) After Thuram lost the ball, Marcelo Brozovic played in Lukaku's run, who held Zakaria away and hit the far corner with his right (64th).

3) Substitute Achraf Hakimi marches along the right side, Lukaku is completely free in the center and pushes in from eight meters (73rd).

Kiss my ass:

In the 83rd minute, Pléa scored his third goal and supposedly overtook Lukaku.

Substitute Breel Embolo was just offside - the question was whether he irritated goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Referee Danny Makkelie said yes and denied the goal recognition.

As a result, "Lick my ass" was heard several times in the empty Borussia Park.

Whether it came from coach Rose, whether Makkelie understands German, you don't know.

Either way, Rose saw a yellow card.

When the excitement subsides, the coach will also know that Borussia will have enough one point to advance on the last matchday.

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