Inter Milan 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points, Champions League 2018-19

Inter Milan marked a memorable return to the Champions League after snatching a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur from the jaws of a defeat. A cagey first-half was followed by a relatively better second, and Christian Eriksen put the visitors ahead with a fortuitous strike that deflected into the top corner.

Spurs, who've been struggling for form recently, were sailing towards a comfortable win before Mauro Icardi threw a spanner in the works with a wonderful volley just 5 minutes from extra-time. The Nerazzurri were now buoyed and pushed for a winner and did get one when Mathias Vecino headed home in the second minute of injury-time to claim three vital points in the group of death.

So whilst the beleaguered Luciano Spaletti could catch a breather with a huge win, Mauricio Pochettino heads back to the drawing board after a third consecutive defeat in all competitions for the first time in his Tottenham tenure.

Here are all the major talking points from San Siro:

#1 Spurs already look spent

Tottenham players already look fatigued

Until the 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United last month, it was all rosy in the garden. But just over two weeks later, Tottenham can feel now feel the thorns. Three defeats on the trot has thrown their campaign in a tailspin, and all the premonitions of the squad being stretched due to transfer inactivity in the summer are coming true.

Spurs looked jaded from the start. Besides a few fleeting moments of promise, there was nothing to write home about. There was no urgency upfront, the pressing lacked conviction and the defence was all over the place.

A few good counters in the second half threatened to open up the game, while the solitary goal the visitors could find was also a result of a deflection. Even the arrival of Son Heung-Min, who returns after a successful Asian Games campaign with South Korea, couldn't inspire confidence.

Football can turn the tables by the blink of an eye, and Pochettino and his band of busted flushes are the unfortunate victims of it currently. Having lost the steam in the Premier League with back-to-back defeats, an opening game loss in Europe was the last thing they wanted. But that has come to pass, and it isn't surprising to see given how increasingly lacklustre Spurs have seemed in the recent days.

#2 Inter can celebrate, but still plenty of room for improvement

Inter Milan were far from perfect

For a good 85 minutes, the Nerazzurri didn't look like getting anything from the match. Defeat looked so imminent that the even fans were left gobsmacked after witnessing the late drama. And it all started with one crackling pile-driver from Icardi as the hosts suddenly imbued more confidence and urgency in the final 10 minutes than they did in the entirety of the game before that.

There were a few near-misses in the second stanza when Inter pressed high, so it isn't that the win was undeserved. But they left it too late. Also, Inter's game for the better part of the match lacked proper shape or structure. The passing was abysmal while the midfield lacked the muscle despite boasting talents like Nainggolan, Brozovic and Vecino. Icardi was rendered a mere spectator until the final few minutes of the game due to lack of proper service.

And the defence, well, that was shaky too. As we've seen from their performances in the Serie A so far, there's plenty of holes to be plugged despite the arrival of Stefan De Vrij. Thanks to Tottenham's own lack of cutting edge, it didn't come to bite. Well, almost. But if Inter were to progress from this admittedly daunting group, such performances are going to get them nowhere. Or maybe just the Europe League, but definitely not the knockout rounds.

#3 Tottenham's fiery attack losing the steam

Kane did not get a single shot on target

There are so many factors contributing to Tottenham metamorphosing into a title contender in the recent years. But one of the more important ones is the formidable attacking vanguard made more resolute by the meteoric rise of Harry Kane.

However, today's and the showings of the past two games, are a horribly poor reflection of the theory. With Dele Alli absent from the scene due to hamstring injury and Son only returning from the Asian Games exertions, Spurs weren't as fearsome as we've come to know of them.

Set out in an attack-minded 4-2-3-1, the attacking quartet of Son, Eriksen, Lamela and Kane were shockingly abject. Even if they did get into the box, lacked the idea or ingenuity to somehow get the ball into the back of the net. Kane continued to be below his best, misplacing passes and making wayward shots. In fact, he didn't muster a single one on target.

Son was better off by a solitary shot, but otherwise, he too offered little going forward. Lamela was the sole bright spot with his tireless runs from the flanks or through the middle, and also assisted Eriksen's goal.

But the bigger picture doesn't seem pleasing. The attack isn't at the same wavelength as it was while battering Manchester United recently as Spurs have struck only thrice in last three games now, one of which moreover was an own goal.

That's in stark contrast to the 8 struck in the three before these. So they're definitely losing steam but must find the attacking boots soon enough as the daunting clash with Barcelona is just another three games away.

#4 Icardi is something special

Icardi rises to the occasion again

Cometh the hour, cometh Icardi. It has become a norm in the recent times for the Argentine to pop up with important strikes and be the get out of jail free card for the Nerazzurri. And even though he didn't score the winner today, but set his side on the path for a vital win with a vital strike. And yes, it was absolutely incredible.

Icardi was struggling to exert his influence on the game for most of the time and made only 16 touches on the ball, which is the least among all the 22 players on the field today. He was a mere passenger for most of the game, but when presented with one clear opportunity, he made it count.

Kwadwo Asamoah sent a lofting cross and Icardi, who was just outside the box, clinically latched on to it to send in a 25-year stunner into the bottom corner. A goal of top-drawer quality, and not that it's his first.

But it had to be him. Icardi, the talisman of the Serpents, stepped up to the plate once again and pulled another rabbit out of his hat. Not many goals this season would be better than that.

#5 Barcelona are the real winners here

Messi fired at all cylinders in the Champions League opener

Ever since the draws were made, Barcelona were the clear favourites to finish as leaders. It's written on the tin. And after the thumping 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the other game, Inter Milan and Tottenham better beware. Neither of these teams can truly challenge the Blaugrana, but after such a mediocre performance from both parties, Messi and co. can smell blood in the waters.

The Argentine, as usual, looks to be at the top of his game and bagged another hattrick. In a recent victory speech, the new Barca skipper had made it clear that they would be placing the premium on the Champions League this time, and the comprehensive start to the campaign has sent an ominous message to the rivals. But these two teams here, on current evidence, look like lambs going to the slaughterhouse when they take the mighty Barcelona on.

Both sides left so many gaps at the back and this kind of nondescript attack is hardly going to test their backline. Looks like Barcelona's road to the next round is made easier.