Opportunity missed against Inter Under-19s

Inter's Davide Merola and Facundo Colidio struck in the last 10 minutes to inflict our youngsters' first defeat of the season in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon.

The Italians had scored first through Tibo Persyn after a disjointed start at Hotspur Way but two goals in a minute from Troy Parrott and Jack Roles put us in firm control and we seemed on course to qualify out of Group B with a game to spare, Dilan Markanday in particular creating several chances to extend our lead. Those opportunities were spurned, though, with Paris Maghoma, Parrott and Markanday all denied by goalkeeper Vladan Dekic. How we'd regret that at the end of the game.

As the second half progressed, our control waned and after Maj Roric scrambled in an equaliser just past the hour mark, Inter made full use of the change in momentum to secure a 4-2 win, Merola scoring a stylish back-heel on 82 minutes and Colidio making sure three minutes from time, putting them right back in the mix in the race to secure second spot behind group winners Barcelona and grab a place in the play-off round. Our destiny is still in our hands, however, as we remain second on six points, one ahead of PSV and two ahead of Inter.

The teams traded chances in the early exchanges but it was Inter who broke the deadlock when Colidio squared for Persyn for a tap-in with 12 minutes played. That sparked us into life and after Maghoma was denied by a good block by Ryan Nolan in the box, Parrott bagged a scorching equaliser on 24 minutes, running onto the ball and curling into the top corner from 18 yards out. Just 60 seconds later and the quick turnaround was complete as Parrott played left-back Jaden Brown in behind the defence, his shot was saved and Roles converted the rebound.

On the front foot and looking to press home the advantage, we were left frustrated as Dekic produced good saves from Maghoma and Parrott, Brown got in behind again but was flagged off-side and Markanday – often too much for Inter to handle with his weaving runs in from the right – was denied by the keeper in first-half added time. Those chances would come back to haunt us later as although Maghoma and Markanday had opportunities in the early parts of the second half, Inter would find a route back into the game.

Roric netted a close-range equaliser after Gabriele Zappa's ball across the face of goal on 62 minutes and it needed good blocks in quick succession from Luis Binks, Harvey White and then Brandon Austin's save from Colidio to keep a buoyant Inter at bay. Parrott skimmed the outside of the post after more good build-up play by Markanday but Inter were getting more balls into our area and they duly took the lead on 82 minutes through substitute Merola's clever flicked finish to Zappa's low cross from the right. Colidio dragged wide soon afterwards but put the game to bed three minutes from time, clipping beyond Austin after Merola's reverse pass.

Key moment

Inter’s equaliser was a turning point in the game and gave the visitors fresh impetus to go on and claim the win.

Niccolo Corrado advanced down the left shortly after the hour mark, it was all a bit scrappy in the box but Zappa eventually took advantage by sending a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Roric couldn't miss, it was 2-2 and from there, Inter pressed on.

Coach's view

Our defensive frailties left coach Matt Wells disappointed after the game.

“Our approach defensively throughout wasn't at its optimum and that's cost us,” he said. “It probably took their first goal to wake us up a bit – we were good on the ball at times but lacked our usual intensity and aggression out of possession across the pitch.

“They obviously scored the first goal which was a really poor goal to give away – we've not set up properly, a couple of passes down the side and they're through on goal. We did well to get back into the game and go 2-1 up and half-time – although we were on top – came at a good time because it allowed us to address a few problems in terms of dealing with their counter-attacks, which is something we'd identified before the game but which we weren't doing correctly.

“We had plenty of chances to put the game to bed and we missed a few big chances at a time where we felt their spirit was dropping a little bit but we've given them a really soft goal to go to 2-2 which has lifted them and then from there I didn't like the way we managed the game with our team approach defensively, we were far too open, we didn't win the second ball battle in midfield and as a result we've lost the game.”

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Parrott 24, Roles 25; Inter - Persyn 12, Roric 62, Merola 82, Colidio 87.

Yellow cards: Spurs - Eyoma 29, Markanday 53, Brown 81; Inter - Rizzo 31, Schiro 34.

Referee: Alex Troleis (Faroe Islands).

Venue: Hotspur Way, Enfield.

Weather: Light rain, overcast, 14 degrees.

Attendance: 243.