REPORT: CL - Inter 1 - 0 Ajax (3-2 on agg)

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Champions League Rd 2, 2nd leg - 14/3/06 (19.45)

Stankovic 57 (I)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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Adriano missed a penalty, but a Dejan Stankovic strike ensured Inter beat Ajax 3-2 on aggregate to face Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Nerazzurri had the advantage of a 2-2 first leg draw in Amsterdam, although they had been 2-0 down after just 20 minutes. With Ivan Cordoba suspended, Marco Materazzi stepped into central defence, while Francesco Toldo played his sixth match in a row in goal.

After a four-match order to play behind closed doors, this was the first Champions League game of the season in which Inter played in front of their home fans. The draw for the quarter-finals has already been made, with Villarreal awaiting the winner of this tie.

Adriano's shot was charged down on the edge of the box and Luis Figo curled the loose ball over the bar. Dejan Stankovic and Adriano were also crowded out as they ran into the penalty area.

There was chaos in the Ajax box after nine minutes, as Adriano's scuffed overhead kick turned into an assist for Figo, whose effort went across the face of goal without getting that final touch.

Figo was on fine form and skipped past two challenges before Hedwiges Maduro's clearance in front of Adriano.

Inter went closer than ever on 12 minutes, as an Obafemi Martins rocket on the volley from the edge of the box violently rattled the crossbar.

Walter Samuel nodded a corner kick off target, then Adriano's delightful flick set Figo running and another decisive Madura intervention rescued Ajax.

The referee pointed to the spot when Stankovic's cross was intercepted by Lindenbergh's raised arm as the Ajax man came sliding in. Adriano stepped up, but aimed a very weak effort well wide of the near post, seeming to catch his studs in the turf and scuff the ball.

Adriano combined with Martins and Stekelenburg rushed out to smother the ball off the Nigerian's foot.

Rosenberg wanted a penalty for a similar move when his shot was charged down by Materazzi's arm, although it was after a ricochet and therefore by no means voluntary, but the Italian defender reacted furiously and the two got into a brief scuffle.

Adriano, Martins and Stankovic had shots blocked in quick succession, as Inter couldn't find a way through. Captain Javier Zanetti impressed the crowd when he skipped past four tackles, but his cross was cleared before it could reach the strikers.

Within nine seconds of the restart, a hopeful long-range Figo strike was comfortably held by the goalkeeper. Soon after, Adriano robbed Thomas Vermaelen, but his cross was just past Martins practically on the line.

The Nerazzurri finally got their goal just before the hour mark when Stankovic ran on to an Esteban Cambiasso pass up the left flank and placed a splendid curling finish into the far post with his right foot. It was the ex-Lazio man's second Champions League goal of the campaign - the first was in the AmsterdamArena.

Stekelenburg ran out to head the ball away from Martins outside the area, then Vermaelen was booked for a cynical foul to stop Adriano sprinting on goal.

Hatem Trabelsi drilled a good opportunity over the bar from the edge of the area, as Ajax needed at least two goals to qualify. Francesco Toldo's first save came on 82 minutes, as he easily smothered a fierce Babel strike from distance.

The game ended on a sour note for Adriano, who ballooned well over with only the goalkeeper to beat on a fine assist from Cambiasso.


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Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Materazzi, Samuel, Wome; Figo, Veron (C Zanetti 74), Cambiasso, Stankovic; Adriano, Martins (Recoba 84)

Ajax: Stekelenburg; Trabelsi, Maduro, Vermaelen, Juanfran; Pienaar, Lindenbergh, Boukhari; Rosales (Babel 72), Huntelaar, Rosenberg (Charisteas 74)

Ref: Frojdfeldt (Swe)

Missed penalty: Adriano 27 (I)

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Roberto Mancini and his players insist their ticket to the quarter-finals was by no means a foregone conclusion and warn against underestimating Villarreal.

“I am satisfied with the performance, especially as some thought it would be a foregone conclusion, which it most certainly was not,” noted the Coach.


Dejan Stankovic scored the winner that saw them through 3-2 on aggregate, even though Adriano missed a first half penalty.


“Adriano had the opportunity to score a couple of goals and was unlucky, but he is slowly getting back on form. We were excellent in defence today and the fact Juan Sebastian Veron isn’t 100 per cent fit makes a difference to our midfield, but in attack we can do much better considering the potential at our disposal.


“We were playing well and creating chances, only to run into problems in the final third, so I asked Obafemi Martins to spread out wide a little more and run at the defenders. Unfortunately, he didn’t do that very much.”


Mancini had kinder words for the defence, in particular Marco Materazzi and Francesco Toldo, who are eager to give their World Cup chances a boost.


“Materazzi did very well in place of Ivan Cordoba and everyone gave their all in a difficult game. Toldo is also impressive and was ready when we needed him during Julio Cesar’s injury. I’d always said it was important to have two good goalkeepers, even if one of them inevitably has to stay on the bench. If Marcello Lippi considers him for the World Cup is his business, it certainly has nothing to do with Inter.”


The Nerazzurri join Juventus and Milan as the third Italian team in the final eight of the Champions League and will play Villarreal in the quarter-finals. The first leg is at the San Siro on March 29 with the decider in Spain on April 4.


“There have already been some surprises in the tournament this year and Villarreal are strong on home turf, so we’re not the favourites to reach the semis. Don’t forget we reached this stage last season as well and went out, but if we can remain as focused as we were tonight, then we can make our mark.”


The fans have made it clear with banners and chants tonight that they do not want Ronaldo to return to the San Siro, but it’s an issue that Mancini shirked.


“I think we should focus on Sunday’s game against Lazio, as looking ahead to next season seems a bit premature. There’s time for that later on.”


Materazzi was arguably Man of the Match for a fine defensive performance, stepping in for the suspended Cordoba.


“Ajax gambled at the end, but we were still in control of the game throughout,” said the defender. “I knew we all had to put in a great performance to limit Klaas Jan Huntelaar and I think we achieved that. The important thing was to qualify and we did.”


This was the first Champions League game of the season in which the Nerazzurri were able to play in front of their home crowd after the ban expired, but some of the fans held up banners urging the club not to re-sign Ronaldo.


“It’s a shame, as Ronaldo did well at Inter, even if he left in bitter circumstances. The only thing to do is to talk about matters, so Ronaldo should speak with the Ultra leaders and work through these problems. He is my friend and I’d like to see him back here, but I realise a lot of people felt betrayed by his actions.”


Captain Javier Zanetti added: “I was happiest with the approach to the game, as we knew how important it was and remained concentrated throughout. The goal restored a bit of relaxation, as we were getting worried when we continued to miss chances and the qualification remained in the balance.”