Post by Taxigirl on Dec 8, 2003 9:40:48 GMT
Vieri 24, 80 (I), Tedesco 88 (P)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
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Christian Vieri's brace allows Inter to continue their Scudetto push, but two apparently serious injuries could cost them dearly.
Inter have found a new lease of life under Alberto Zaccheroni's guidance and were boosted by their surprise 3-1 victory at Juventus last week.
Christian Vieri was allowed to start after recovering from a bruised back and took part in a trident attack with Julio Cruz and Kily Gonzalez.
Perugia had few hopes going into this game without a single victory in Serie A all season, even if they remain unbeaten in the UEFA Cup. Jay Bothroyd returned to the starting line-up as Zisis Vryzas was suspended.
The Nerazzurri struggled to find space early on and matters got even worse when Ivan Cordoba limped off with an ankle injury. Already without the injured Marco Materazzi, Francesco Coco, Thomas Helveg and Fabio Cannavaro, this leaves precious few options at the back.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 24 minutes by their returning hitman Vieri. Emre Belozoglu slid across to Julio Cruz, who touched back for Vieri's low drive.
Bothroyd made an immediate mark on Serie A during the opening weeks of the season, but the former Arsenal man has fallen out of favour at Perugia. After just 34 minutes the English striker was substituted by youngster Emanuele Berrettoni.
The substitution perked Perugia up and the visitors pushed for an equaliser before half-time. Javier Zanetti was forced to drag down the former Lazio man and earned a yellow card for his troubles.
There was more bad news for Inter as on the hour mark Cristiano Zanetti pulled up with what looks to be a thigh strain. The midfielder was stretchered off in evident pain and will certainly miss the crucial Champions' League trip to Kiev.
This is the latest in a series of muscular problems for the Nerazzurri and if the muscle has been torn he could be out of action for six weeks.
Perugia were more confident in the second half and following some good build-up play from Ze Maria, Massimo Margiotta's header thumped the base of the upright.
Kily Gonzalez tried to score two spectacular efforts from 30 metres, but both dipped at the right height for Michele Tardioli.
Vieri asked for a penalty soon after when he fell following a collision with Seuleymane Diamoutene, but the striker appeared to trip by himself after the shoulders made contact.
Cruz has become notorious for his curling free kicks and a trademark effort shaved the woodwork.
It remained a surprisingly open game and Giovanni Tedesco's angled drive was somewhere between a cross and a shot.
However, this left Inter room to counter-attack in and Christian Vieri drilled in a precise effort from 25 metres to end Perugia's hopes.
The Grifoni got back in it during the final minutes when Tedesco tapped in from close range.
The Inter fans had their hearts in their mouths during stoppages, as Margiotta somehow nodded over the bar from less than six yards.
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Inter: Toldo; Adani, Gamarra, Cordoba (Brechet 20); J Zanetti, C Zanetti (Almeyda 55), Emre (Lamouchi 73), Pasquale; Kily Gonzalez, Cruz, Vieri
Perugia: Tardioli; Zè Maria, Diamoutene, Ignoffo (Gatti 89), Nastos; Grosso, Tedesco, Obodo, Fusani; Margiotta, Bothroyd (Berrettoni 34)
Ref: Farina
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
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Christian Vieri's brace allows Inter to continue their Scudetto push, but two apparently serious injuries could cost them dearly.
Inter have found a new lease of life under Alberto Zaccheroni's guidance and were boosted by their surprise 3-1 victory at Juventus last week.
Christian Vieri was allowed to start after recovering from a bruised back and took part in a trident attack with Julio Cruz and Kily Gonzalez.
Perugia had few hopes going into this game without a single victory in Serie A all season, even if they remain unbeaten in the UEFA Cup. Jay Bothroyd returned to the starting line-up as Zisis Vryzas was suspended.
The Nerazzurri struggled to find space early on and matters got even worse when Ivan Cordoba limped off with an ankle injury. Already without the injured Marco Materazzi, Francesco Coco, Thomas Helveg and Fabio Cannavaro, this leaves precious few options at the back.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 24 minutes by their returning hitman Vieri. Emre Belozoglu slid across to Julio Cruz, who touched back for Vieri's low drive.
Bothroyd made an immediate mark on Serie A during the opening weeks of the season, but the former Arsenal man has fallen out of favour at Perugia. After just 34 minutes the English striker was substituted by youngster Emanuele Berrettoni.
The substitution perked Perugia up and the visitors pushed for an equaliser before half-time. Javier Zanetti was forced to drag down the former Lazio man and earned a yellow card for his troubles.
There was more bad news for Inter as on the hour mark Cristiano Zanetti pulled up with what looks to be a thigh strain. The midfielder was stretchered off in evident pain and will certainly miss the crucial Champions' League trip to Kiev.
This is the latest in a series of muscular problems for the Nerazzurri and if the muscle has been torn he could be out of action for six weeks.
Perugia were more confident in the second half and following some good build-up play from Ze Maria, Massimo Margiotta's header thumped the base of the upright.
Kily Gonzalez tried to score two spectacular efforts from 30 metres, but both dipped at the right height for Michele Tardioli.
Vieri asked for a penalty soon after when he fell following a collision with Seuleymane Diamoutene, but the striker appeared to trip by himself after the shoulders made contact.
Cruz has become notorious for his curling free kicks and a trademark effort shaved the woodwork.
It remained a surprisingly open game and Giovanni Tedesco's angled drive was somewhere between a cross and a shot.
However, this left Inter room to counter-attack in and Christian Vieri drilled in a precise effort from 25 metres to end Perugia's hopes.
The Grifoni got back in it during the final minutes when Tedesco tapped in from close range.
The Inter fans had their hearts in their mouths during stoppages, as Margiotta somehow nodded over the bar from less than six yards.
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Inter: Toldo; Adani, Gamarra, Cordoba (Brechet 20); J Zanetti, C Zanetti (Almeyda 55), Emre (Lamouchi 73), Pasquale; Kily Gonzalez, Cruz, Vieri
Perugia: Tardioli; Zè Maria, Diamoutene, Ignoffo (Gatti 89), Nastos; Grosso, Tedesco, Obodo, Fusani; Margiotta, Bothroyd (Berrettoni 34)
Ref: Farina