Post by Taxigirl on Feb 27, 2004 12:12:35 GMT
Christian Vieri and Alvaro Recoba were both on target for Inter in the UEFA Cup but Sochaux fought back for a 2-2 draw. The Nerazzurri are in good shape to progress into the next round but will be disappointed that they twice squandered the lead.
Inter went into the break 1-0 up but in all honesty they did very little attacking after taking the advantage in the eighth minute. Sochaux, who were punished for a sloppy start, did begin to keep hold of the ball but they rarely threatened Francesco Toldo in the first half.
The Nerazzurri started brightly and Alvaro Recoba, recalled to the side due to Adriano being cup-tied, whipped a 30-yard free-kick over the bar. The ball did end up under the bar soon after as Vieri opened the scoring. Van der Meyde floated in a corner and Vieri out-jumped everyone to score.
Sochaux took their time to settle and their first attempt didn’t arrive until the 21st minute. Zairi, from the edge of the box, saw his shot diverted for a corner by Toldo. They then came within inches of levelling thanks to their captain. Pedretti brought the stadium to its feet with a 30-yard volley that flew past Toldo’s right post.
Inter were defending far too deep and leaving the initiative for the French hosts. But they failed to create any more significant efforts prior to the Spanish referee blowing his whistle to signal the end of the first half.
The Italian side picked up the pace immediately after the break and Vieri went close after a good move which also included Recoba. The Italian striker should have increased his side’s lead in the 58th minute when he broke the offside trap but dragged his shot wide of the upright.
Had that have gone in then the game could have been virtually over. Instead it was blown wide open again just 60 seconds later when Sochaux levelled things up. Frau picked up a Mathieu header to rifle the ball past Toldo to make it 1-1.
That scoreline didn’t last long thanks to the quality of Recoba. He controlled a Cristiano Zanetti long ball, he shielded it away from Diawara to unleash a shot that few goalkeepers in the world would have been able to stop.
But again Inter were forced back and Sochaux threw everything they had. After a few confused efforts, they made it 2-2 again thanks to a goalkeeping blunder from Toldo. He failed to keep hold of a long range shot which allowed Frau to hit the ball against the post before tapping in the rebound.
Fortunately for Inter, Toldo reacted well to that mistake and made a fantastic flying save from a Mathieu free-kick that could have ensured victory for his side late on.
Sochaux 2-2 Inter
Scorers: Vieri (I) 8, Frau (S) 59, 81, Recoba (I) 61
Sochaux: Gnanhouan; Flachez, Monsoreau, Diawara; Daf, Isabey, Oruma, Pedretti, Mathieu; Zairi (Boudarene 77), Frau.
Inter: Toldo; Helveg, Adani, Cordoba; J.Zanetti, C.Zanetti, Lamouchi, Pasquale; Van der Meyde (Okan 58), Vieri, Recoba (Cruz).
Ref: Cantalejo (Spain)