Post by Taxigirl on Jan 22, 2004 9:31:18 GMT
Julio Cruz scored the decisive goal as Inter sweep past Udinese 3-1, but they suffered a series of potentially serious injuries.
This was their first match since Massimo Moratti’s resignation and new President Giacinto Facchetti was in the stands.
The 0-0 result from the first leg at the Stadio Friuli meant that the qualification would be sealed at the San Siro.
Alberto Zaccheroni was without the injured Christian Vieri and Cristiano Zanetti, but Fabio Cannavaro and Alvaro Recoba made their comeback from several weeks on the sidelines.
Inter had a strong start and went close with Emre’s fierce effort before Andy van der Meyde broke the deadlock.
The Dutchman fired in directly from a free kick at a very acute angle that took both the defenders and goalkeeper by surprise.
This goal boosted their confidence and Obafemi Martins thought he had doubled their lead with a powerful finish into the roof of the net, but the referee disallowed it for a controversial foul on Valerio Bertotto.
Both sides saw players limp off in the first half, as Mirko Pieri suffered a large cut to his ankle, while Matias Almeyda was stretchered away with a calf problem.
Udinese never gave in and drew level when Dino Fava jumped inbetween two defenders to nod in an Alberto cross.
This was a crucial strike, as it meant that Udinese would qualify on the away goals rule.
The crowd was becoming increasingly tense and in first half stoppage time the visitors wasted the opportunity to take the lead, as Martin Jorgensen slammed the crossbar from ten yards.
Julio Cruz replaced the ineffectual Recoba for the second half and within five minutes Martins had put Inter ahead with a classic counter-attack.
The young Nigerian outsprinted his defenders and placed an accurate finish past the helpless goalkeeper.
There was further controversy when Per Kroldrup handled in the box, but the referee waved play on as the Dane clearly slipped and fell on to the ball.
Ref Messina eventually pointed to the spot soon after when Cruz was tripped by Kroldrup and the Argentine stepped up to successfully convert.
There were more injury worries for Zac when Javier Zanetti requested a substitution, then Emre also suffered a fitness problem but all three changes had already been completed.
It got even worse, as deep into stoppages Martins turned his marker and fell to the ground with a suspected sprain.
Udinese remained dangerous in the closing stages with Bertotto’s long-range free kick skimming the near post and a Sulley Muntari effort shaving the crossbar.
However, Inter sweep through to the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate where they should meet Juventus.
Inter 3-1 Udinese
Scorers: van der Meyde 17 (I), Fava 35 (U), Martins 51 (I), Cruz pen 63 (I)
Inter qualify 3-1 on aggregate
Inter: Toldo; Cordoba, Cannavaro, Helveg; Gamarra, J Zanetti (Pasquale 65), Almeyda (Farinos 23), Emre; Recoba (Cruz 46), Martins, van der Meyde
Udinese: Renard; Bertotto, Kroldrup, Felipe; Alberto (Castroman 61), Pazienza, Muntari, Pieri (Gutierrez 19) (Iaquinta 84); Jankulovski, Jorgensen; Fava
Ref: Messina