Inter beaten again as Wolfsburg march on
Thursday, March 19, 2015
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FC Internazionale Milano 1-2 VfL Wolfsburg (agg: 2-5)
Diego Benaglio starred between the posts while Daniel Caligiuri and Nicklas Bendtner got the goals to secure the Wolves' passage.
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• Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio makes numerous saves as German side progress
• Daniel Caligiuri puts visitors ahead against three-time UEFA Cup winners
• Rodrigo Palacio gives Inter hope, equalising on night 19 minutes from time
• Nicklas Bendtner scores winner – for 5-2 on aggregate – a minute from the end
• Quarter-final draw in Nyon on Friday at 13.00CET
VfL Wolfsburg reached the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2009/10 by beating FC Internazionale Milano 2-1 at the San Siro to complete a 5-2 aggregate win.
Defeated 3-1 in Germany in the round of 16 opener, Inter had a good start to the return game and Hernanes tested Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio early on. The visitors, however, had space to counterattack; Daniel Caligiuri volleyed over a precise cross by Vieirinha, while goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carizzo was on form to rush out and steal the ball from Bas Dost's feet with the Wolfsburg striker through on goal.
Inter had another good opportunity on 23 minutes but Benaglio made a superb save, palming wide a low shot by Mauro Icardi which seemed destined to find the far-bottom corner. Things quickly went from bad to worse for the Nerazzurri as Caligiuri turned in a perfect pass by Kevin De Bruyne from the left to give Dieter Hecking's team the lead.
Benaglio was again up to the task when he blocked a close-range effort from Fredy Guarín and the Switzerland goalkeeper continued to shine in the second half when he repelled a low drive by Palacio with his foot. The Inter forward, however, made amends 19 minutes from time, finally outdoing Benaglio after a nice one-two with Hernanes.
Roberto Mancini's side failed to create further chances and Wolfsburg sealed their progress a minute from time when Nicklas Bendtner volleyed in a centre by fellow substitute Maximilian Arnold.