REPORT: CL - Porto 2 - 0 Inter

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Champions League Gp H - 19/10/05 (19.45)


Materazzi og 22 (P), McCarthy 35 (P)


O Dragao, Oporto

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Adriano was benched for Inter's first Champions League defeat at Porto, as Marco Materazzi's own goal opened the door to a 2-0 loss.

Adriano was left on the bench following the weekend's controversial delay in returning from international duty, prompting Juan Sebastian Veron and Marco Materazzi to accuse him of lacking professionalism. Julio Cruz was the lone striker in a new 4-5-1 system, which experimented Veron alongside David Pizarro and Esteban Cambiasso in midfield.

Porto may have lifted the trophy in 2004, but they had already lost their first two games in Group H and were desperate for points. There were bad memories of facing the Nerazzurri, as the Portuguese giants were knocked out of the competition in the first knockout round last season.

Lucho Gonzalez turned a free kick just over within the opening two minutes, then Benni McCarthy wasted a good opportunity created by Ricardo Quaresma's set-piece, ballooning over from a great scoring position.

Cambiasso used his body to charge down an Almeida snapshot, as Inter focused on limiting Porto's space early on.

The Nerazzurri's first real chance came after 20 minutes, as Julio Cruz sprung the offside trap and saw his shot parried by Vitor Baia's outstretched foot, then Santiago Solari drilled Veron's cross wide with his weaker right foot.

These proved costly errors, as moments later Porto took the lead in fortunate circumstances. McCarthy's header merely skimmed Bosingwa's cross, but it went into the net off Marco Materazzi's knee to beat Julio Cesar.

That goal seemed to galvanise the home side and Inter took a few minutes to get over the shock of conceding this curious goal. Julio Cesar plucked the ball off Almeida's head and the Porto player wasted a subsequent counter-attack.

McCarthy took advantage of the situation to double Porto's lead soon after. His initial free kick was blocked by the defensive wall, but he slammed in at the second attempt.

Julio Cesar required a fine save to prevent Quaresma making it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.

After the break there was a golden opportunity to get back into the game when Vitor Baia only parried Solari's effort, but Cambiasso and Giuseppe Favalli stumbled over each other and the chance went begging.

Julio Cesar took two touches to get Quaresma's strike under control, so Mancini introduced Alvaro Recoba for Pizarro in a bid to support the lone Cruz in attack.

Within a minute Recoba's corner kick had reached Cambiasso for a close-range header that was cleared off the line by Assuncao.

The Uruguayan's cross then found Luis Figo, who incredibly turned his header on to the upright from point-blank range. Inter wasted a series of chances against Rangers in their last game and this time those errors were not going to be let off lightly.

Mancini put the controversy behind him and threw on Adriano in place of the very disappointing Solari for the final 25 minutes. The Brazilian nodded Recoba's corner kick off target, then Cruz came sliding on on another Uruguayan centre.

Recoba was Inter's liveliest player and his free kick scraped the upright with Vitor Baia left standing. Cambiasso had another sliding finish, but the Nerazzurri remained toothless in attack. Cruz was fortunate not to receive a second bookable offence in the final minute for a very high challenge on Alan.


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Porto: Vitor Baia; Bosingwa, Pedro Emanuel, Pepe, Cech; L Gonzalez, Jorginho (Ibson 93), Assuncao; Quaresma (Ivanildo 84), McCarthy (Alan 60), Almeida

Inter: Julio Cesar; Cordoba, Samuel, Materazzi, Favalli; Figo (Ze Maria 81), Pizarro (Recoba 53), Veron, Cambiasso, Solari (Adriano 67); Cruz

Ref: Ivanov (Rus)

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Roberto Mancini confirmed Inter’s biggest regret of the night in Oporto was Julio Cruz’s early miss and explained why he left out Adriano.

“We had the right approach and a couple of clear chances early on, especially that Cruz one he fired at the goalkeeper, but then that own goal changed everything and the second came soon after,” he said after the 2-0 defeat at Porto. “There are games where you can play for two hours and can’t get the ball into the net. It just wasn’t going to happen tonight.”


The 2004 Champions League winners were still looking for their first point in Group H and broke through with a Marco Materazzi own goal and Benni McCarthy strike.


“Even if Porto had lost their first two matches, we still new it was going to be tough. I am satisfied with the way the team started out, but when two lucky goals go in then there’s not a lot you can do.”


It has been a tricky few days for the Nerazzurri, as there was controversy surrounding Adriano’s late return from international duty and the Brazilian was left on the sidelines for the opening 70 minutes of this crunch match.


“I think that when someone is on the bench he’s not happy about it, but that’s the case for Adriano, Alvaro Recoba or anyone. Adriano hadn’t trained for five days, so I thought this was the best course of action.”


Mancini adopted a new 4-5-1 system with David Pizarro, Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Sebastian Veron in midfield, while Santiago Solari and Luis Figo were supposed to push up and support Cruz.


“We knew Porto were very attack-minded, so I hoped to take advantage of the space they left to counter-attack, but the goals changed everything. Cruz had a fantastic opportunity after 20 minutes and if that had gone in then it would’ve been a very different match.”


Despite this surprise defeat, Rangers were held to a 0-0 scoreline at Ibrox by Artmedia, leaving Inter clear at the top of Group H.


“A victory here would have practically qualified us for the next phase, but now it’s important to pick up another four points between Porto and Artmedia. We can’t beat ourselves up over this, as we’re still leading the Group and it’s a balanced selection of teams.”


Veron had been the most critical of Adriano’s decision to stay in Brazil for another couple of days and analysed Inter’s situation.


“We’ve cleared the air with Adriano and that is all that needs to be said,” noted the midfielder. “He apologised and did what he had to. I hope the events of this week can help the team and the club to improve.”


“We didn’t play up to our usual standards today, but nonetheless we shouldn’t have lost like that,” said the former Chelsea star. “Porto were fortunate with both goals and they made the most of that. The team wasn’t under that much pressure and they mainly had long-range efforts, so it was a strange game and we didn’t deserve to go 1-0 down, then we couldn’t get back into it. Inter must certainly improve as a team, especially away from home.”