Matteo Darmian battles for possession with Zaidu Sanusi. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Zaidu Sanusi was handed Eighty-four minutes of action in the feisty UEFA Champions League round of 16, second leg clash between FC Porto and Inter Milan, Tuesday, at the Estádio do Dragão.
It was the Left-back’s 8th UCL appearance this season; the most by any Nigerian, but it would also be Sanusi’s last of the campaign as FC Porto were knocked out by the Italians.
Following the 1-0 defeat in the first-leg a forthnight ago, at the Guiseppe Meazza Stadium, Sérgio Conceição needed only to overturn the deficit and win by a goal margin to secure their spot in the last 8, but the visitors’ defence stood resolute.
The 25 year-old Nigerian was replaced by Wendell, but still Inter Milan were impenetrable – they had only 35percent ball possession, faced 20 shots though only 5 were on goal.
A late drama in the match also saw the sending off of the veteran CB, Pepe for a second booking, even the Porto Coach was shown a yellow.
However, this season’s result is a fairer outcome than the previous campaign where they failed to make it past the group stage.
They finished third behind Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, settling for a place in the Europa League.