Post by Salem6 on Feb 24, 2006 6:16:45 GMT
Champions League Rd 2, 1st leg - 22/2/06 (19.45)
Ajax 2 - 2 Inter
Huntelaar 16 (A), Rosales 20 (A), Stankovic 47 (I), Cruz 86 (I)
AmsterdamArena
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Inter fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw in Amsterdam that puts them in the driving seat for the second leg.
The Nerazzurri have been struggling of late with just one point from their last three League games and had fallen into third place in the Serie A standings, so a confidence-boosting performance was needed in Amsterdam.
Surprisingly, Francesco Toldo was picked in goal, while Aparecido Cesar was given his first official start since making the January move from Lazio. Julio Cruz partnered the off-form Adriano upfront, but the midfield was missing the injured Juan Sebastian Veron and suspended Cristiano Zanetti.
Stekelenburg was at full stretch to tip a Dejan Stankovic snapshot round the post, but Inter were fortunate when Rosenborg scuffed his volley on a promising Hatem Trabelsi cross and Toldo smothered a Mauro Rosales effort from distance.
Roberto Mancini's men had quite a sluggish start and it was no surprise when Ajax took the lead after 16 minutes. Rosales found far too much space down the right on the counter-attack and was able to chest and cross in for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who took advantage of Walter Samuel's slip to nod in on his Champions League debut.
Inter were shaken and Ajax made it 2-0 just four minutes later. This time Rosales turned from provider to scorer, tapping in a Boukari cross from the left flank, but the move was started when Ivan Cordoba's backpass was intercepted by Emanuelson.
Toldo got down to block a Cruz effort on Javier Zanetti's pass and Boukhari flung himself at a Stankovic effort from inside the box to save Ajax's goal.
The Nerazzurri were dangerous from dead-ball situations, as Luis Figo's free kick found Cordoba's header and Heitinga was able to clear a yard in front of the line.
Yet the Italians had an incredible opportunity to pull one back on the stroke of half-time. First Cruz and then Cordoba managed to rattle the crossbar with their headers as part of the same move!
David Pizarro was introduced for Cesar in the second period in a bid to strengthen the midfield, which was totally over-run by Ajax in the opening 45 minutes.
It certainly seemed to work, as Inter got a goal within two minutes of the restart. Figo's cross was held up by Cruz for Stankovic, who dummied a shot, combined with Esteban Cambiasso and saw his finish take two deflections to leave Stekelenburg stranded.
The goalkeeper rushed off his line to close down Adriano's counter-attack and flew to push Figo's curling right-foot strike round the post as Inter were a changed team in this second half.
Maduro's effort took a deflection off Samuel and was captured by Toldo and Adriano made way for Obafemi Martins for the final 25 minutes. There was bad news for Mancini, as Cordoba was booked for a silly foul on Huntelaar and will be suspended for the second leg at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Martins found space in the area and his shot on the turn between Heitinga's legs was well controlled by Stekelenburg.
Inter had the better of the second half as Ajax's energetic opening got to their legs and drew level four minutes from time. Figo and Cambiasso combined for Cruz to sidefoot in from close range.
Cruz could've sealed the 3-2 victory in stoppages, but his shot from the edge of the box whistled wide of the target.
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Ajax: Stekelenburg; Trabelsi, Heitinga, Vermaelen, Boukhari; Maduro, Lindenbergh, Emanuelson; Rosales (Babel 88), Huntelaar, Rosenberg
Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti , Cordoba, Samuel, Burdisso; Figo, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Cesar (Pizarro 46); Adriano (Martins 65), Cruz
Ref: Stark (Ger)
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/eurogames/aja-int.html