Post by Inter It on Oct 6, 2003 8:20:36 GMT
Inter fans threw objects at Hector Cuper following yet another derby defeat to their old rivals, but perhaps more importantly the Nerazzurri are now five points adrift of the leaders.
There are few derbies in the world more passionate than the 'Derby della Madonnina' and already at this stage of the season it is a crucial showdown for the Scudetto.
Milan opted to field Kaka' in place of Manuel Rui Costa as the support to Andriy Shevchenko and Pippo Inzaghi. Clarence Seedorf and Giuseppe Pancaro returned from injury.
Inter also welcomed Christian Vieri into to the squad after his midweek Champions' League comeback. Luciano, Sabri Lamouchi and Marco Materazzi were all ruled out with thigh strains.
There were records waiting to be beaten here tonight, as Francesco Toldo had not conceded a single goal in Serie A going into the match, while Inter had not won a 'home' derby since 1997.
Before kick-off there were stunning scenes as the lights were turned out and the San Siro was turned into a giant light show with photographs of the players moving their way around the Stadium walls.
It was a lively game right from the start and Christian Vieri had the first real opportunity, firing a very powerful free kick just past the near post.
Soon after Milan went extremely close, as Gennaro Gattuso won the ball back on the edge of the box and Toldo scrambled across to block Kaka's close-range effort.
Inzaghi's mazy run caused problems for the Inter defence and three players eventually crowded him out.
Vieri then charged forward on the counter-attack, only to see his progress blocked by an Alessandro Nesta shoulder charge just outside the box.
It was a very open games with scoring opportunities for both sides and Shevchenko's header was almost squeezed in at the back post by Inzaghi.
The Nerazzurri made a substitution when Andy van der Meyde came off after just 36 minutes to be replaced by Thomas Helveg. The Dutchman did not appear to have an injury, so this may have been a tactical choice.
The deadlock was broken just before half-time. Kaka' was brought down on the edge of the box and Andrea Pirlo's resulting free kick took a deflection off Inzaghi to leave Toldo stranded. It is unclear whether or not the striker intended to redirect the ball with his head, but his header was definitely decisive.
The tension was high and a scuffle broke out between Kily Gonzalez and Kaka' with both men booked.
Soon after Mohamed Kallon wanted a penalty for his contact with Dida, but the goalkeeper appeared to get the ball. Then the Sierra Leone international saw a counter-attack easily saved.
Milan could have doubled their lead in the final minute of the first half, but Toldo fumbled a cross only to perform a stunning reaction save on Shevchenko. The ball bobbled along the line and out beyond the far post.
Cuper made another tactical switch at half-time, introducing the pacey Obafemi Martins for Kallon. The Sierra Leone man had also suffered a knock during the first half.
However, it took less than thirty seconds of the second half to double Milan's lead. Gennaro Gattuso's chipped cross found Kaka' completely unmarked at the far post to nod in.
It was the first Serie A goal for the young Brazilian who has pushed both Manuel Rui Costa and Rivaldo out of the line-up.
Ex-Inter man Clarence Seedorf wasted a great chance on the counter-attack by ballooning over the bar, then Kaka' nodded off target on Shevchenko's centre.
The Nerazzurri were clearly shellshocked by this second goal and Milan settled into their stride.
On the hour mark Toldo needed his wits about him to block two close range Inzaghi attempts, with his head and the follow-up from the ground.
Vieri was the only Inter man who looked as if he could turn the tide and skipped past Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini before his lack of match fitness let him down.
It was a sign to his teammates and soon after Kily Gonzalez tested Dida with a fierce long-range effort and Ivan Cordoba's header clipped the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
It was more even as the second period wore on, but Inzaghi was left unmarked to volley over from nine yards.
That shot was a warning, as moments later Shevchenko scored Milan's third. Once again the Ukrainian ran down the right flank, combined with Marcos Cafu, and lifted the ball over Toldo. It was Sheva's eleventh goal in Milan derbies.
However, it still wasn't over, as less than a minute later Obafemi Martins scored a wonder goal. The teenage Nigerian turned his marker and slammed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.
It was not enough to calm the fans, as a group of Inter supporters began to throw objects at Cuper's bench.
It certainly boosted the players, though, as Emre Belozoglu's scorching left-foot shot skimmed the woodwork.
Then Vieri intelligently cut back around Paolo Maldini to Martins, but the youngster saw his effort well saved by Dida.
Vieri's header flew past the near post and Maldini was forced to hobble on during the final minutes with an ankle injury.
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Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Adani, Cannavaro, Cordoba; van der Meyde (Helveg 36), C Zanetti, Emre, Kily Gonzalez (Brechet 66); Vieri, Kallon (Martins 46)
Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Pancaro (Costacurta 66); Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (Ambrosini 75); Kakà; Shevchenko, Inzaghi (Serginho 83)
Ref: De Santis
There are few derbies in the world more passionate than the 'Derby della Madonnina' and already at this stage of the season it is a crucial showdown for the Scudetto.
Milan opted to field Kaka' in place of Manuel Rui Costa as the support to Andriy Shevchenko and Pippo Inzaghi. Clarence Seedorf and Giuseppe Pancaro returned from injury.
Inter also welcomed Christian Vieri into to the squad after his midweek Champions' League comeback. Luciano, Sabri Lamouchi and Marco Materazzi were all ruled out with thigh strains.
There were records waiting to be beaten here tonight, as Francesco Toldo had not conceded a single goal in Serie A going into the match, while Inter had not won a 'home' derby since 1997.
Before kick-off there were stunning scenes as the lights were turned out and the San Siro was turned into a giant light show with photographs of the players moving their way around the Stadium walls.
It was a lively game right from the start and Christian Vieri had the first real opportunity, firing a very powerful free kick just past the near post.
Soon after Milan went extremely close, as Gennaro Gattuso won the ball back on the edge of the box and Toldo scrambled across to block Kaka's close-range effort.
Inzaghi's mazy run caused problems for the Inter defence and three players eventually crowded him out.
Vieri then charged forward on the counter-attack, only to see his progress blocked by an Alessandro Nesta shoulder charge just outside the box.
It was a very open games with scoring opportunities for both sides and Shevchenko's header was almost squeezed in at the back post by Inzaghi.
The Nerazzurri made a substitution when Andy van der Meyde came off after just 36 minutes to be replaced by Thomas Helveg. The Dutchman did not appear to have an injury, so this may have been a tactical choice.
The deadlock was broken just before half-time. Kaka' was brought down on the edge of the box and Andrea Pirlo's resulting free kick took a deflection off Inzaghi to leave Toldo stranded. It is unclear whether or not the striker intended to redirect the ball with his head, but his header was definitely decisive.
The tension was high and a scuffle broke out between Kily Gonzalez and Kaka' with both men booked.
Soon after Mohamed Kallon wanted a penalty for his contact with Dida, but the goalkeeper appeared to get the ball. Then the Sierra Leone international saw a counter-attack easily saved.
Milan could have doubled their lead in the final minute of the first half, but Toldo fumbled a cross only to perform a stunning reaction save on Shevchenko. The ball bobbled along the line and out beyond the far post.
Cuper made another tactical switch at half-time, introducing the pacey Obafemi Martins for Kallon. The Sierra Leone man had also suffered a knock during the first half.
However, it took less than thirty seconds of the second half to double Milan's lead. Gennaro Gattuso's chipped cross found Kaka' completely unmarked at the far post to nod in.
It was the first Serie A goal for the young Brazilian who has pushed both Manuel Rui Costa and Rivaldo out of the line-up.
Ex-Inter man Clarence Seedorf wasted a great chance on the counter-attack by ballooning over the bar, then Kaka' nodded off target on Shevchenko's centre.
The Nerazzurri were clearly shellshocked by this second goal and Milan settled into their stride.
On the hour mark Toldo needed his wits about him to block two close range Inzaghi attempts, with his head and the follow-up from the ground.
Vieri was the only Inter man who looked as if he could turn the tide and skipped past Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini before his lack of match fitness let him down.
It was a sign to his teammates and soon after Kily Gonzalez tested Dida with a fierce long-range effort and Ivan Cordoba's header clipped the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
It was more even as the second period wore on, but Inzaghi was left unmarked to volley over from nine yards.
That shot was a warning, as moments later Shevchenko scored Milan's third. Once again the Ukrainian ran down the right flank, combined with Marcos Cafu, and lifted the ball over Toldo. It was Sheva's eleventh goal in Milan derbies.
However, it still wasn't over, as less than a minute later Obafemi Martins scored a wonder goal. The teenage Nigerian turned his marker and slammed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.
It was not enough to calm the fans, as a group of Inter supporters began to throw objects at Cuper's bench.
It certainly boosted the players, though, as Emre Belozoglu's scorching left-foot shot skimmed the woodwork.
Then Vieri intelligently cut back around Paolo Maldini to Martins, but the youngster saw his effort well saved by Dida.
Vieri's header flew past the near post and Maldini was forced to hobble on during the final minutes with an ankle injury.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Adani, Cannavaro, Cordoba; van der Meyde (Helveg 36), C Zanetti, Emre, Kily Gonzalez (Brechet 66); Vieri, Kallon (Martins 46)
Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Pancaro (Costacurta 66); Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (Ambrosini 75); Kakà; Shevchenko, Inzaghi (Serginho 83)
Ref: De Santis
