VfL Wolfsburg can keep on dreaming of a first European title. The Wolves were 2-1 winners in the away leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie against Inter Milan, ensuring they comfortably and deservedly progressed to the quarterfinals having already won 3-1 at home in the first leg.
Daniel Caligiuri and Nicklas Bendtner scored the goals for VfL, who also had Diego Benaglio to thank that they are still on course to reach the final in Warsaw after a number of top saves from the Swiss keeper. However, he was helpless in keeping out Argentina’s Rodrigo Palacio in the 71st minute.
The draw for the last eight will be made in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. The matches are scheduled for 16th and 23rd April. Wolfsburg, who have salvaged the week for the Bundesliga after Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund exited the Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, have now reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League for the second time after 2010.
De Bruyne provides another assist
It was an intensive and fiery match in front of 42,100 spectators at the San Siro, even in the early stages. The hosts, who surprisingly had former Bayern player Xherdan Shaqiri on the bench despite his thigh problems, piled the pressure on as they went in search of the lead. Benaglio had to be on hand after only four minutes and then made another good save from Mauro Icardi midway through the first half.
Dieter Hecking’s side maintained their composure though and waited for their chances on the counter, which inevitably arrived. First it was Caligiuri who missed with a first-time shot, before Bas Dost’s heavy touch saw a one-on-one wasted. Caligiuri did better when another goalscoring opportunity came his way in the 24th minute. Kevin De Bruyne was the assist provider once again this season, picking out the winger in the centre and his side-footed effort dropped over the line via a deflection off Inter goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Hecking’s side on top
The 18-time Italian Champions also had problems with their build-up play at the start of the second 45. Roberto Mancini’s side were forced into long balls, but the Wolves were better in the tackle and were easily keeping the home side at arm’s length.
Playmaker De Bruyne wasn’t in the spotlight as much as usual, but he was still providing the visitors’ game without enough creativity. Meanwhile, World Champion André Schürrle spent the game on the bench, with the 24-year-old January signing from Chelsea still not feeling 100 percent fit.
The hosts upped the pressure as the match entered the final 30 minutes and Palacio levelled the scores on the night after a great bit of interplay. Inter still needed two goals to force extra time though and Bendtner’s strike shortly before the final whistle officially ended their challenge.