Post by Taxigirl on Oct 19, 2003 9:14:23 GMT
A late penalty from Italy striker Christian Vieri rescued a point for Inter Milan against Brescia.
Roberto Baggio opened the scoring after 21 minutes and the home team were two up just after the break through an Andrea Caracciolo strike.
Julio Ricardo Cruz gave the visitors hope with a 63rd-minute goal and it was left to Vieri to clinch a point for under-pressure Inter coach Hector Cuper.
Two goalless draws and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals AC Milan have led to speculation about Cuper's future at the San Siro, and he knew defeat was not an option heading to Brescia.
However, Gianni Di Biasi's men had the better of the early exchanges, creating a number of decent chances.
The first, after four minutes, saw Francelino Matuzalem's powerful left-footed shot deflected out for a corner by Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo after a good run and cross by the impressive Caracciolo.
Ten minutes later, following a Luigi Di Biagio free-kick, Baggio's powerful but central shot was saved at the second attempt by Toldo
Di Biagio was determined to make a big impression against his former club following his summer transfer to Brescia.
And the pressure was soon to pay dividends, when a mistake by Toldo led to an easy opener for former Inter forward Baggio.
Defender Jeremie Brechet anticipated a deep cross into the centre and tried to head it out for a corner, but the goalkeeper, in trying to prevent his side having to face the corner, let the ball slip out of his hands and end up at Baggio's feet.
The home side continued to press after the break. Matuzalem unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from Caracciolo's pass, but could only watch as it flew wide.
Three minutes into the second period, though, Baggio controlled the ball on the right flank and crossed towards the centre, where Caracciolo beat Thomas Helveg in the air to head home.
But a quarter of an hour later, Cruz gave Inter a lifeline with a header from an Alvaro Recoba free-kick and, for all Brescia's endeavour, they were now within sight once again.
Inter, five points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus and Milan at the start of play, had no option but to press for an equaliser.
Recoba showed his pace and skill, only to see his left-footed effort from the left edge of the area saved by the fists of Brescia goalkeeper Diego Saja.
Under mounting pressure from the Inter frontline, something had to give.
Cruz was grounded in the area by Dario Dainelli and Inter were awarded a penalty.
Vieri made no mistake, with his left-footed kick powerful enough to beat Saja and break Brescian hearts.