Player ratings as Mauro Icardi gets an 8 after inspiring Inter Milan to a stunning comeback win over Tottenham

Aditya Devavrat 22:09 19/09/2018
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  • Icardi inspired an Inter Milan comeback.

    Inter Milan produced a stirring comeback to stun Tottenham in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, winning 2-1 thanks to two late goals. Spurs took the lead early in the second half and looked like they were cruising to victory, only for Inter captain Mauro Icardi to inspire a turnaround with a sumptuous equaliser.

    Here’s a look at how the players rated.

    INTER MILAN

    Starting XI

    Samir Handanovic 8 – Never had to pull off anything spectacular, but time and again the Inter keeper denied Spurs a goal just through his positioning and reading of the game.

    Milan Skriniar 6 – Playing out of position at right-back, Skriniar acquitted himself decently, though there were times he looked exactly like a man playing in a new position would.

    Stefan de Vrij 7 – Was a tower at the back, handling most of Spurs’ attacks, and played a vital part in Inter’s winner, showing his aerial prowess again as he won the initial header from a corner.

    Miranda 6 – A solid performance from the Brazilian, who looked his usual combative but classy self. Dealt with the threat of Kane well.

    Kwadwo Asamoah 6 – Delivered the cross for Icardi’s stunning equaliser, one of his few telling contributions in attack. Enjoyed a good battle with Spurs right-back Serge Aurier.

    Matias Vecino 7 – How vital was that goal? Not only did it steal a win, it may have kick-started a season that has begun disappointingly for Inter. Vecino had struggled to have an impact all game long, but he had the most decisive one.

    Marcelo Brozovic 6 – An up and down game from the Croat, who at times looked dominant in midfield and at others, struggles. His more ambitious passes didn’t come off, but he acquitted himself well otherwise.

    Matteo Politano 6 – For a large part of the game, he looked like Inter’s most threatening player in attack, though his final ball was lacking at times.

    Radja Nainggolan 4 – A shocking game from the Belgian. Nainggolan was one of the headline recruits of the summer, brought in for games like this, yet he had virtually no influence on proceedings.

    Ivan Perisic 5 – Not one of the Croatian’s better days. Most of what he tried didn’t quite come off, though as always, his work rate was faultless.

    Mauro Icardi 7 – For the longest time, Icardi didn’t have a sniff of goal. Then he did, finally, and scored an absolute cracker to spark a famous comeback.

    Substitutes

    Antonio Candreva 5 – Brought on to spark Inter’s attack into life, but often ended up achieving the exact opposite – his side’s attacks were often killed once Candreva got on the ball.

    Keita Balde 5 – Failed to add anything to Inter’s attack after coming on.

    Borja Valero N/A – Brought on as a late substitute for the disappointing Nainggolan.

    Icardi's stunning volley changed the game.

    Icardi’s stunning volley changed the game.

    TOTTENHAM

    Michel Vorm 7 – Pulled off a couple of excellent saves, and despite a shaky moment or two he looked much more solid than he had at the weekend against Liverpool.

    Serge Aurier 7 – Combative in defence and had one of his better days as an attacker, an area of his game that blows hot and cold.

    Jan Vertonghen 7 – Not at his most elegant, but still effective in defence for Spurs. He’ll be disappointed with the way he and his defence let a lead slip.

    Davinson Sanchez 6 – Had a solid game ruined by the ending, when he was beaten by De Vrij for Inter’s winning goal.

    Ben Davies 6 – Wasn’t as effective in attack as he would have liked to be, though he caused the out-of-position Skriniar a few scares.

    Mousa Dembele 7 – Dominant in midfield and as always, retained possession with some excellent control and dribbling ability. Helped Spurs control the game for a good period of the game, which makes the result more galling.

    Eric Dier 6 – Was a big factor in how Tottenham controlled the game for a good part of the first 85 minutes, though his attacking contribution was lacking.

    Erik Lamela 6 – Missed a couple of chances to make it 2-0 and kill the game, but he couldn’t beat Handanovic in goal or find the right pass when it counted.

    Christian Eriksen 7 – Not a vintage goal but still an example of what Eriksen brings with his shooting ability. His inventiveness and control was much better than it was against Liverpool on Saturday.

    Son Heung-min 6 – Offered his usual pace and work rate in attack, though not with as much incisiveness as he would have liked. It wasn’t a surprise that he was the first attacker taken off.

    Harry Kane 5 – It’s officially time to worry about Kane. His confidence seems low, as shown when he passed up the best chance of the game by trying to go around Handanovic rather than shooting earlier.

    Substitutes

    Lucas Moura 6 – Looked lively after coming on, although he probably could have used the ball better in attack, missing a couple of chances to find a teammate when in a dangerous position.

    Harry Winks 6 – Beaten by Vecino for the goal, though it’s hard to fault him – he was always going to be second-favourite against the much taller Uruguayan.

    Danny Rose N/A – Came on with barely any time left to have an impact.

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