REPORT: CL - Artmedia 0 - 1 Inter

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Champions League Gp H - 13/9/05 (19.45)

Cruz 17 (I)
Tehelne Pole Stadium, Bratislava

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Juan Sebastian Veron's red card nearly cost Inter dearly, but a Julio Cruz goal proved enough to earn a win away to Artmedia.

Having crushed Shakhtar Donetsk in the preliminary round, Inter were the clear favourites to top Group H and started out against perhaps the weakest side on paper. Slovaks Artmedia Bratislava were making their Champions League debut in front of the home fans.

Roberto Mancini made changes from Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Palermo, leaving David Pizarro and Obafemi Martins on the bench in favour of Luis Figo and Julio Cruz, while Walter Samuel returned after sitting out a three-match Serie A ban.

Pierre Wome's fierce shot whistled just wide of the woodwork, but the early pressure failed to create any real scoring opportunities until the 17th minute, when they broke the deadlock. Adriano ran down the left flank on a Dejan Stankovic pass and rolled across for Cruz, who came sliding in for the finish.

Cristiano Zanetti was booked after two crunching challenges in quick succession on Durica and Kozak.

Inter really should have doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Adriano set up Cruz in front of goal, but the Argentine hesitated and the chance went begging. Adriano also went close in first half stoppages on a Luis Figo pass, but the ball got caught up in his legs and the grateful goalkeeper gathered.

Artmedia were more aggressive after the break and caused problems with Halenar before a long-range Petras strike went over. But Inter wasted another golden opportunity to put the result beyond doubt, as Stankovic threaded through for Adriano and he blasted off target from the penalty spot.

Inter were made to regret those errors, as moments later they were left in 10 men. Juan Sebastian Veron had been booked in the first half for a sliding challenge and the referee rather harshly showed him a second yellow card for taking a free kick before the whistle had been blown. It was a very fiscal decision from the French official and one that left the Nerazzurri in a tricky position for the final half-hour.

Adriano tried to make the result safe with a run and shot that whistled past the upright, but Artmedia went even closer with a Hartig diving header that skimmed the woodwork from a corner kick.

Mancini threw on David Pizarro for Cruz to strengthen the midfield and on 67 minutes Adriano's stunning free kick slammed the inside of the post in an agonising moment for the Inter fans.

L'Imperatore fired another shot high and Pizarro's attempt was charged down, but Artmedia substitute Konecny tested Julio Cesar within seconds of stepping on to the pitch.

Obafemi Martins replaced Figo for the final nine minutes, as Mancini saw attack as the best form of defence, even in 10 men. There was more tension for Julio Cesar, as five minutes from time he parried a difficult Halenar strike from point blank range. Inter held on for the victory in Bratislava.


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Artmedia Bratislava: Cobej; Fodrek, Debnar, Durica, Petras; Hartig (Mikulic 71), Stano (Gomes 62), Kozak, Urbanek (Konecny 74); Vascak, Halenar

Inter: Julio Cesar; Cordoba, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome; Figo (Martins 81), Veron, C Zanetti, Stankovic; Adriano, Cruz (Pizarro 65)

Ref: Poulat (Fra)

Sent off: Veron 58 (I)

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Inter achieved their victory against Artmedia, but Roberto Mancini and Juan Sebastian Veron were furious after the Argentine’s bizarre red card incident.

“It was an incredible situation, as it could have changed the game for us,” said Veron following the 1-0 win in Bratislava. “It’s a shame, as the team was playing well and so was I, but this takes away from our performance. The referee didn’t say anything to me and we did not ask for the wall to be put back, so the referee moved and we had the opportunity to take the free kick.”


Veron was shown a second yellow card for taking a free kick too quickly, a seemingly harsh decision that left the Nerazzurri in 10 men for the final 35 minutes.


“I haven’t had many red cards in my career, so it’s particularly hurtful to be sent off in this manner. I don’t think this is within the rules, as it was the same as a free kick in midfield because we did not ask for the wall to be put back. The referee asked me three times if I wanted to wait for the wall and I said no, so I assumed it was like any dead ball situation and back in play.”


This is another disappointment for Inter when facing UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission, as Veron will now miss the next clash with Glasgow Rangers.


“The worse thing of all is that I’ll be suspended for the next game now, so this stupid incident will keep on affecting me and the team.”


Mancini was also angry with the French official, but was more upset with his own players for failing to close up the game earlier.


“It’s true that the incredible Veron red card changed the game, but we still had several chances to extend our lead even after that,” noted the ex-Lazio tactician. “The dismissal unbalanced us with Veron’s absence, so we introduced David Pizarro to realign the midfield.”


The winning goal in Bratislava came early on when Julio Cruz turned in an Adriano assist – his third goal in two games after netting a brace against Palermo.


“The goal was a good team move finalised by Adriano and Cruz. Perhaps we should have scored a second goal in the first half, seeing as we had the opportunities,” said the Coach. “We made mistakes in Palermo and must learn from them, but it was important to get back to a victory. Cruz is on form and had already showed that in Palermo. His fitness levels are high and he helps the team to play better, so with Luis Figo there as well it suited his style.”


Inter lead Group H along with Glasgow Rangers, who struggled to see off Porto 3-2 at Ibrox.