Post by Taxigirl on Aug 25, 2005 8:48:32 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug24k.html
Alvaro Recoba’s goal ensured Inter qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Shakhtar in a deserted San Siro.
The Nerazzurri’s Champions League campaign in the Peninsula kicked off in an unearthly silence. The club was ordered to play four games behind closed doors after the chaotic scenes that saw last season’s quarter-final against Milan abandoned due to a pre-planned crowd action.
Although there were no fans present, Inter patron Massimo Moratti and several members of the board of directors attended with their football jerseys placed over their smart shirts. Tellingly, the oil baron was wearing Alvaro Recoba’s Number 20 strip, as the Uruguayan has always been one of his favourites and was chosen to partner Adriano this evening.
There were also over 2,000 supporters outside the stadium watching the match on giant screens and their cheers could occasionally be heard inside the arena.
Shakhtar Donetsk Coach Mircea Lucescu conceded before the game that the 2-0 first leg away victory had given the Italians “a 99 per cent chance of qualifying.”
There were two good chances in the opening eight minutes, as Pierre Wome’s cutback was cleared with some difficulty, then at the other end a glancing Elano effort rolled just wide of the far post guarded by Julio Cesar.
It was Inter who broke the deadlock at the 13th with Recoba. Il Chino took advantage of a defensive error and placed an accurate low drive into the far corner of the net.
The Ukrainians got back into the game soon after, as Marica was allowed to reach the by-line and cut back for the totally unmarked Elano to tap in from just inside the box.
Recoba’s fierce free kick was spilled by Lastuvska, but Roberto Mancini was increasingly angry with his players for a slack defensive display that risked giving away a second to Elano.
Mancio made a half-time substitution, introducing David Pizarro for the quiet Dejan Stankovic and creating an intriguing partnership with Juan Sebastian Veron.
The former Udinese man combined wonderfully with Recoba to set up Santiago Solari, but the winger saw his shot twice charged down by Lastuvska.
Marco Materazzi was booked for a lunging challenge on ex-Brescia man Francelino Matuzalem and was perhaps fortunate not to receive a second yellow card soon after.
Adriano's solo effort was deflected out at the near post by Hubschman.
Inter 1-1 Shakhtar (3-1 on agg)
Scorer: Recoba 13 (I), Elano 24 (S)
Inter: Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Materazzi, Cordoba, Wome; Stankovic (Pizarro 46), Veron (Ze Maria 73), Cambiasso, Solari; Recoba, Adriano (Cruz 81)
Shakhtar Donetsk: Lastuvska; Srna, Lewandowski, Hubschman, Rat; Tymoschuk, Duljaj (Fernandinho 86), Matuzalem, Elano (Jadson 65); Marica (Byelik 71), Brandao
Ref: Fandel (Ger)
Alvaro Recoba’s goal ensured Inter qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Shakhtar in a deserted San Siro.
The Nerazzurri’s Champions League campaign in the Peninsula kicked off in an unearthly silence. The club was ordered to play four games behind closed doors after the chaotic scenes that saw last season’s quarter-final against Milan abandoned due to a pre-planned crowd action.
Although there were no fans present, Inter patron Massimo Moratti and several members of the board of directors attended with their football jerseys placed over their smart shirts. Tellingly, the oil baron was wearing Alvaro Recoba’s Number 20 strip, as the Uruguayan has always been one of his favourites and was chosen to partner Adriano this evening.
There were also over 2,000 supporters outside the stadium watching the match on giant screens and their cheers could occasionally be heard inside the arena.
Shakhtar Donetsk Coach Mircea Lucescu conceded before the game that the 2-0 first leg away victory had given the Italians “a 99 per cent chance of qualifying.”
There were two good chances in the opening eight minutes, as Pierre Wome’s cutback was cleared with some difficulty, then at the other end a glancing Elano effort rolled just wide of the far post guarded by Julio Cesar.
It was Inter who broke the deadlock at the 13th with Recoba. Il Chino took advantage of a defensive error and placed an accurate low drive into the far corner of the net.
The Ukrainians got back into the game soon after, as Marica was allowed to reach the by-line and cut back for the totally unmarked Elano to tap in from just inside the box.
Recoba’s fierce free kick was spilled by Lastuvska, but Roberto Mancini was increasingly angry with his players for a slack defensive display that risked giving away a second to Elano.
Mancio made a half-time substitution, introducing David Pizarro for the quiet Dejan Stankovic and creating an intriguing partnership with Juan Sebastian Veron.
The former Udinese man combined wonderfully with Recoba to set up Santiago Solari, but the winger saw his shot twice charged down by Lastuvska.
Marco Materazzi was booked for a lunging challenge on ex-Brescia man Francelino Matuzalem and was perhaps fortunate not to receive a second yellow card soon after.
Adriano's solo effort was deflected out at the near post by Hubschman.
Inter 1-1 Shakhtar (3-1 on agg)
Scorer: Recoba 13 (I), Elano 24 (S)
Inter: Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Materazzi, Cordoba, Wome; Stankovic (Pizarro 46), Veron (Ze Maria 73), Cambiasso, Solari; Recoba, Adriano (Cruz 81)
Shakhtar Donetsk: Lastuvska; Srna, Lewandowski, Hubschman, Rat; Tymoschuk, Duljaj (Fernandinho 86), Matuzalem, Elano (Jadson 65); Marica (Byelik 71), Brandao
Ref: Fandel (Ger)