REPORT: CL - Inter 2 - 1 Porto

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Champions League Gp H - 1/11/05 (19.45)


Hugo Almeida 16 (P), Cruz pen 75, 82 (I)


San Siro

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A late brace from substitute Julio Ricardo Cruz turned the game around to beat Porto after a sluggish Inter performance.

Inter needed a victory in this match, which was again played behind closed doors at the San Siro due to last season's crowd trouble in the derby. Porto had won 2-0 on home turf a fortnight ago and since then the Nerazzurri had managed just one point from their last two Serie A games against Roma and Sampdoria.

Adriano was criticised this week for his lack of discipline, but pledged to knuckle down and rediscover his form, so he was fielded alongside Obafemi Martins. Roberto Mancini experimented with David Pizarro and the returning Juan Sebastian Veron together in midfield along with Luis Figo and Pierre Wome. Ivan Cordoba had a foot problem, so Nicolas Andre Burdisso made his Champions League debut.

The tempo was slow in the opening stages and Porto were not eager to push Inter more than they had to. Martins ran on to a long Pizarro pass and goalkeeper Vitor Baia plucked the cross off the head of his countryman Figo's head. Ricardo Quaresma's angled drive was wide and Wome failed to get on the end of Adriano's assist.

However, it was Porto who broke through after 16 minutes of play. Hugo Almeida drilled in a fantastic left-foot free kick from 30 metres that slotted into the top corner of the net.

Figo took Inter's first corner kick on 24 minutes and Adriano's header was off target. The Brazilian's first touch then let him down after combining with Martins inside the area.

Figo's long-range effort couldn't find the frame of the goal, then Vitor Baia saved a Martins header on the ex-Real Madrid man's cross.

Quaresma charged forward on the counter-attack and was one-on-one with Marco Materazzi, but couldn't finish off the move and ballooned over the bar.

Inter were lacking bite in midfield and Mancini threw on Esteban Cambiasso for Wome, moving Veron out wide on the left.

Martins found a way through the Porto defence on Figo's through ball and only had Vitor Baia to beat, but the Portuguese international bravely dived on to his feet to prevent a certain goal.

There was a lack of communication on another Figo centre, as Martins went to head the ball when Adriano was in a better position just behind him. Jorginho also nodded off target for the visitors.

Unable to find a way through, Mancini hoped that the dead-ball prowess of Sinisa Mihajlovic could break down Porto's defences and the Serb replaced Walter Samuel in central defence, while Julio Cruz took over from the disappointing Adriano.

It proved a decisive move, as Cruz converted the equalising penalty on 75 minutes. Pizarro had been brought down in the area by Pedro Emanuel, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Mihajlovic nearly turned it all around moments later with one of his trademark free kicks from 30 metres, but Vitor Baia flew for a remarkable save.

The winner was only postponed, as two substitutes combined for Inter's second goal. Mihajlovic curled in a corner kick and Cruz rose for a glancing header, his second of the night.

Vitor Baia kept the scoreline down on a deflected Martins effort, but Inter emerge with the three points.


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Inter: Julio Cesar; Burdisso, Materazzi, Samuel (Mihajlovic 66), Favalli; Figo, Pizarro, Veron, Wome (Cambiasso 54); Adriano (Cruz 61), Martins

Porto: Vitor Baia; Bosingwa, Pedro Emanuel, Pepe, Cech; Lucho Gonzalez, Jorginho, Paulo Assunção (Bruno Alves 62); Quaresma, Alan (Meireles 46), Hugo Almeida (McCarthy 76)

Ref: Mejuto Gonzalez (Spa)

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Roberto Mancini urged the Press to release its grip on a tense Adriano and praised match-winner Julio Ricardo Cruz.

“We went behind on Porto’s only shot on goal so, in this difficult time, we struggled a bit to get back on track. Nonetheless, I’m sure we deserved to win tonight,” he said after Inter’s 2-1 victory.


“The pitch is deteriorating and the absence of a crowd is really causing us problems. We pushed and pushed until we eventually found a way through.”


It was a sluggish performance, particularly from Adriano, who has been in the media spotlight over the last few weeks for his tardiness and the alleged break-up with his girlfriend. Some sections of the Italian Press suggest this is the reason for his poor form and published details of his partying lifestyle.


“I think that a 23-year-old lad has the right to have fun in his life,” insisted Mancio. “He’s not the only one who can turn up late occasionally and I think there has been too much talk about his private life lately. It’s his job to make the most of his talents on the field, but he needs more than a week of solid training to recover his form. We should leave Adriano’s private life to him and it’s nobody else’s business.”


Adriano was replaced by Cruz and that proved to be the turning point, as the Argentine bagged a brace to turn the game around completely after an early Hugo Almeida missile of a free kick from 30 metres.


“Cruz had fresh legs and could put more pressure on our opponents. If the strikers continue to push midfielders and force them into mistakes, we’ll win a lot more games. Clearly we didn’t push as much in the first half as there was time to get back into it, but the tempo was a little slow and improved after the break.”


Luis Figo put in a series of crosses for the ineffective forwards and impressed Mancini with his performance, while the tactician hinted at a new partnership for the trip to Lazio.


“Figo did very well tonight and I’m happy for him, as he’s a great professional and has worked hard to settle in. Cruz and Adriano have played together before with good results.”


Inter are now four points clear at the top of Group H with Artmedia and Rangers on five and Porto bringing up the rear with three.


“I won’t say we’re already qualified for the next round, but there can’t be long to go, and so we must focus on getting back on track in Serie A and getting a win away to Lazio this weekend.”