Inter hold a two-goal lead in a Europa League tie against Ludogorets after Christian Eriksen's maiden strike and Romelu Lukaku's penalty.
Match Report
Christian Eriksen's first goal for Inter helped Antonio Conte's men earn a battling 2-0 away win against Ludogorets in the opening leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
The Serie A side were not at their best at Ludogorets Arena on Thursday but scored the opener from the best move of the match, Eriksen curling home from the edge of the box.
January signing Eriksen hit the crossbar from distance and Romelu Lukaku's late penalty confirmed a victory for the Nerazzurri that saw them bounce back from successive domestic defeats.
Inter, who began with Lukaku on the bench, struggled to impose themselves in the opening exchanges but Ludogorets goalkeeper Plamen Iliev had to make a smart stop to keep out Cristiano Biraghi's volley in the 25th minute.
Match Events
18' Vecino's long shot wide out
Vecino shows a quick turn of pace to surge forward from midfield, but he then fires a highly ambitious strike well over the bar from some 30 yards out.
22' Yellow Card! Lautaro booked
Martinez is shown the first yellow card of the match for a reckless challenge on Terziev, with this meaning the striker will miss the return leg at the San Siro.
25' CHANCE! Biraghi's shot denied
Moses bides his time on the right-hand side of the box before scooping a delivery towards Biraghi at the back post, but the midfielder's quick-fire volley is pushed away by Iliev and Eriksen then fails to reach the rebound.
40' CLOSE! Godin's shot saved
Inter have a free-kick in a promising area following Marcelinho's foul on Martinez, but Eriksen's in-swinging ball is nodded away by Nedyalkov before it can reach Ranocchia.
50' CLOSE! Sanchez's backheel shot hits the post
Moses runs on to the ball near the right-hand byline before skidding a cross towards Sanchez in the centre, but his backheel deflects off Grigore before clipping the right-hand post.
53' CLOSE! Lautaro's shot wide out
Martinez latches on to a loose ball before making a burst towards the edge of the box, but his eventual 20-yard strike dips comfortably over the bar.
62' CHANCE! Eriksen's shot denied
Martinez plays a one-two with Sanchez before powering an effort at goal from just outside the box, but he sees his ambitious strike deflected out towards the right flank by Terziev.
64' Sub! Lukaku replaces Lautaro
Inter make the first change of the match as Martinez is replaced by Lukaku.
71' GOAL! Ludogorets 0-1 Inter (Eriksen)
Eriksen makes it 1-0 to Inter! A patient passage of build-up play culminates in Vecino's flick picking out Lukaku inside the box, and he then tees up Eriksen who steers his effort into the left-hand side of the net.
73' OFF THE CROSSBAR! Eriksen nearly scores again
Eriksen almost adds another to his tally as he tries his luck from some 25 yards out, but his rising effort clips off the left-hand side of the crossbar.
95' Penalty GOAL! Ludogorets 0-2 Inter (Lukaku)
The referee points to the spot after deeming Anicet to have handled the ball on its way through to D'Ambrosio at the back post.
Lukaku makes it 2-0 to Inter! The striker steps up with confidence before sweeping the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to give the visitors a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg.
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