Inter Milan need a point to secure a top-eight spot in the league phase of the Champions League after a hard-fought win away to Sparta Prague.
The top eight sides in the new format will qualify automatically for the last 16, while teams finishing ninth down to 24th have to play a two-legged play-off.
Captain Lautaro Martinez expertly gave Inter the lead in the 12th minute after he caught hold of Alessandro Bastoni’s deep cross to the back post and his volley bounced in off the underside of the bar.
Right-back Denzel Dumfries thought he had doubled Inter’s lead and wrapped up the points in Prague but his fine finish was ruled out for offside.
Inter, the 2023 runners-up, have conceded just one goal in their seven European games this season and restricted the home side to an xG of just 0.35.
Simone Inzaghi’s fourth-placed side will host Monaco in the final league phase game knowing they can still secure second place in the table if Barcelona are beaten and Arsenal fail to win.
Sparta Prague’s elimination from the Champions League is now official before they travel to Bayer Leverkusen for the final match.
BBC