Monday, February 6th, 2012
Barcelona refused to blame their travel exertions after Inter Milan stunned the Champions League holders to record a 3-1 win after the first leg semi final at the San Siro stadium. Much of the pre-match hype was on how the Spanish team would be disadvantaged as a result of a long and ardous coach ride to Italy due to flight disruptions across Europe.
The result proved the predictions true as Barcelona showed obvious lack of sharpness in falling to an Inter Milan team who were quicker to each ball and seized the few chances they had in breaking their opponents’ offside trap.
Everything looked like going to plan for Barcelona as they went into an early lead through Pedro. The scorer of important goals for the Catalan club followed up on a cross cut back on the left from Maxwell to slam the ball into an empty net after Julio Cesar had to leave his goal to cover the marauding defender.
The 90,000 fans in the San Siro whistled every touch on the ball by the Spanish and the pressure seemed to get to the likes of Lionel Messi who was ineffectual throughout. Inter Milan started to impose themselves as the minutes ticked by and Mourinho’s tactics also began to bear fruit.
Wesley Sneijder equalised for the Italians after Diego Milito picked out the unmarked Dutchman at the far post. Sneijder calmy slotted the ball past Victor Valdes at the goalkeeper’s near post with a cool finish.
Both teams went into the break on level terms although there were hints of trouble for Barcelona as Inter started to have the better of the exchanges going into the break. Milito missed a couple of chances before Sneijder’s equaliser.
Three minutes after the restart, Inter were ahead through Maicon as the Brazilian won the ball in the area to slip it into the net. Barca tried to muster a response and came close on a couple of occasions but tiredness definitely robbed them of the step ahead in pace as players could not beat the Inter defenders and were often second to the ball.
The Serie A champions again broke free of Barcelona’s offside trap as they raced forward unchallenged. A cross from Eto’o on the right was met by Sneijder who placed it into the path of the onrushing Milito. The Argentinian striker headed it into the net as Barcelona appealed in vain for offside.
The reigning champions pressed forward to try to score a second away goal as insurance but were unable to do so. While their lead remains precarious, Inter Milan will be confident of progress now as they travel to the Nou Camp on the back of another tactical masterclass from Jose Mourinho.
Tags: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, Match Highlights, Match Review, UEFA Champions League