Post by Taxigirl on Jan 7, 2004 9:26:56 GMT
San Siro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christian Vieri scored his 100th goal in an Inter shirt, but it took quite some time to calm an early shock at the San Siro.
Inter suffered their first Serie A defeat under Alberto Zaccheroni in their last outing and were eager for a show of force against struggling Lecce.
That 2-1 defeat to Lazio was marred by Matias Almeyda's refusal to leave the field following a red card and he was handed a three-match ban. This added to the injury crisis that has ruled out Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Materazzi, Thomas Helveg and Francesco Coco.
Obafemi Martins was surprisingly given a start, but he risks an international ban after refusing to join Nigeria for the African Nations Cup.
Lecce held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in the final game of 2003, but their away form has so far been dismal with one point in seven trips.
Inter were given a real shock as within just three minutes Lecce had taken a surprise lead. Javier Chevanton's corner kick found 20-year-old Cesare Bovo completely unmarked on the six-yard line to nod in, but the Nerazzurri defence went to sleep in this occasion.
Incredibly, the Southerners almost made it two soon after when Cedric Konan's angled drive shaved the far post.
Chevanton terrorised the Inter defence and could not have gone closer to a second goal, skipping past his marker before the precise cutback clipped the side-netting.
It was a passionate affair and Valentin Poleksic was forced to fingertip a Julio Cruz header wide, but Inter's attacks only left Chevanton and co more room to counter-attack and Toldo was by far the busiest goalkeeper.
Martins was the most lively member of the Inter squad and had two chances to score, but both were charged down by defenders and Poleksic.
Just before the break a deflected free kick found Daniele Adani for a fine volley that was bravely blocked by Poleksic, but the move had been halted for his offside position.
Julio Cruz has proved to be their most reliable striker so far this season and a moment of magic brought them level at the dawn of the second half. The Argentine curled a free kick on to the far post, only for it to ricochet back into the net off the woodwork. Poleksic was left utterly stranded by this set-piece.
Christian Vieri was looking for his 100th official goal in an Inter shirt, but his fierce effort dipped just past the crossbar.
It was a defender who finally turned the game around as Inter looked like a different team in this second half. An Emre corner kick was whipped in for the head of Ivan Cordoba.
Martins tried to extend their lead with his explosive pace, but once again Poleksic ran out to close him down with some difficulty.
The result was still not secure with Chevanton causing constant problems, but Vieri sealed the result with a trademark counter-attack. His powerful run on an intelligent Martins through ball allowed him to charge past a defender and the goalkeeper before slotting in an angled drive.
Vieri has been accused of not celebrating his goals this season, but he was all smiles to mark his 100th official strike in an Inter shirt. In fact, his teammates produced a jewel-studded crown to place on his head in an amusing ceremony.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter: Toldo; Cordoba, Adani, Cannavaro; Zanetti, Farinos, Emre, Pasquale (Helveg 84); Cruz (Lamouchi 70), Vieri, Martins (Recoba 88)
Lecce: Poleksic; Siviglia, Bovo, Stovini, Abruzzese; Tonetto, Cassetti, Ledesma, Rullo (Diarra 82); Chevanton, Konan (Bojinov 77)
Ref: Rodomonti
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christian Vieri scored his 100th goal in an Inter shirt, but it took quite some time to calm an early shock at the San Siro.
Inter suffered their first Serie A defeat under Alberto Zaccheroni in their last outing and were eager for a show of force against struggling Lecce.
That 2-1 defeat to Lazio was marred by Matias Almeyda's refusal to leave the field following a red card and he was handed a three-match ban. This added to the injury crisis that has ruled out Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Materazzi, Thomas Helveg and Francesco Coco.
Obafemi Martins was surprisingly given a start, but he risks an international ban after refusing to join Nigeria for the African Nations Cup.
Lecce held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in the final game of 2003, but their away form has so far been dismal with one point in seven trips.
Inter were given a real shock as within just three minutes Lecce had taken a surprise lead. Javier Chevanton's corner kick found 20-year-old Cesare Bovo completely unmarked on the six-yard line to nod in, but the Nerazzurri defence went to sleep in this occasion.
Incredibly, the Southerners almost made it two soon after when Cedric Konan's angled drive shaved the far post.
Chevanton terrorised the Inter defence and could not have gone closer to a second goal, skipping past his marker before the precise cutback clipped the side-netting.
It was a passionate affair and Valentin Poleksic was forced to fingertip a Julio Cruz header wide, but Inter's attacks only left Chevanton and co more room to counter-attack and Toldo was by far the busiest goalkeeper.
Martins was the most lively member of the Inter squad and had two chances to score, but both were charged down by defenders and Poleksic.
Just before the break a deflected free kick found Daniele Adani for a fine volley that was bravely blocked by Poleksic, but the move had been halted for his offside position.
Julio Cruz has proved to be their most reliable striker so far this season and a moment of magic brought them level at the dawn of the second half. The Argentine curled a free kick on to the far post, only for it to ricochet back into the net off the woodwork. Poleksic was left utterly stranded by this set-piece.
Christian Vieri was looking for his 100th official goal in an Inter shirt, but his fierce effort dipped just past the crossbar.
It was a defender who finally turned the game around as Inter looked like a different team in this second half. An Emre corner kick was whipped in for the head of Ivan Cordoba.
Martins tried to extend their lead with his explosive pace, but once again Poleksic ran out to close him down with some difficulty.
The result was still not secure with Chevanton causing constant problems, but Vieri sealed the result with a trademark counter-attack. His powerful run on an intelligent Martins through ball allowed him to charge past a defender and the goalkeeper before slotting in an angled drive.
Vieri has been accused of not celebrating his goals this season, but he was all smiles to mark his 100th official strike in an Inter shirt. In fact, his teammates produced a jewel-studded crown to place on his head in an amusing ceremony.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter: Toldo; Cordoba, Adani, Cannavaro; Zanetti, Farinos, Emre, Pasquale (Helveg 84); Cruz (Lamouchi 70), Vieri, Martins (Recoba 88)
Lecce: Poleksic; Siviglia, Bovo, Stovini, Abruzzese; Tonetto, Cassetti, Ledesma, Rullo (Diarra 82); Chevanton, Konan (Bojinov 77)
Ref: Rodomonti