Real Sociedad secured the point needed to finish as the top team in their UEFA Champions League group. With a spectacular control of the game, the txuri urdin are seeded for the round of 16 draw after tonight's goalless draw at the Giuseppe Meazza. What a team!
Real, as usual, sought to command the game by keeping possession and effectively moving the ball, preventing Inter from gaining momentum. Both teams attacked their respective areas, with the realistas taking the initiative, but clear goal-scoring chances were scarce in the first half. The locals attempted through Thuram's long sprints, but they couldn't break through. Imanol's side had more self-command than the Italians through ball circulation, but they were unable to trouble Sommer.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Real controlling possession and Inter limited to covering territory after reclaiming the ball far from the opposing goal. Zakharyan's attempt at one assault missed the target, leading to a corner. Oyarzabal was inches away from a goal-mouth finish after Kubo's delivery, but defensive interference and Sommer denied him. The team performed admirably in the last stages of the group stage.
Real advance to the round of 16 as the group winner, a big accomplishment given that they are ranked among the top sixteen clubs in Europe. And they want more. We are Real.
Match details:
FC Internazionale: Sommer, Darmian (cap), Acerbi, Augusto, Cuadrado, Dimarco (Bastoni, min.77), Fratesi, Calhanoglu (Asllani, min.82), Mkhitaryan (Barella, min.65), Thuram (Arnautovic, min.65), and Alexis (Lautaro, min.65).
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Traoré, Zubeldia (Aritz, min.77), Le Normand, Aihen (Tierney, min.86), Zubimendi Merino, Zakharyan (Magunazelaia, min.77), Take (Carlos Fernández, min.86), Oyarzabal (cap), and Sadiq (Turrientes, min.61).
Referee: Sandro Scharer (Switzerland). Booked Lautaro for Inter and Zubeldia, Zakharyan, Take, and Aritz for Real Sociedad.