The much anticipated Inter and Barcelona’s semi-final clash the other night at the San Siro had all the buzz of a final. After a gruelling 14-hour bus trip, due to the closure of airports around Europe, Barcelona was primed to take on Mourinho’s men.
They were going into the match as slim favourites after superstar Lionel Messi’s four-goal haul set up an emphatic win over Arsenal in their quarter-final encounter earlier this month.
Inter, who was expected to easily pass CSKA Moskva in their quarter-final match-up, had to fight hard against the stubborn Russian outfit, only beating them 2-0 on aggregate.
But all the pre-match hype was long forgotten in the 19th minute when Barca’s Pedro put the visitors in front from 15 yards out with an angled cross from Maxwell off the goal line.
The fans didn’t have to wait long for the home side to reply, with midfielder Wesley Sneijder levelling the score on the half-hour mark.
The Dutchman’s equalizer came off the back of quick footwork from Milito, who picked out Sneijder lurking unmarked on his left and placed his shot low past keeper Valdes.
After half-time break, Mourinho’s men began where they left off taking the lead in the 48th minute through Maicon.
The Barcelona defence was again exposed on the left-hand side, with Milito picking out the Brazilian, who had two stabs at the ball from close range before putting it past Valdes at the near post.
Down the other end, top-scorer Messi tried to get Barca back into the game with several missed chances and good saves from Italian keeper Julio Cesar.
However, the orange-clad Spanish side’s defence was again its weakness on the hour as Thiago Motta’s quick touch picked out striker Samuel Eto’o who chipped the ball across goal and was met with an ill-timed header from Sneijder, only to pop up by chance for Milito to nod home Inter’s third of the night.
A desperate late assault by Barca to get a second away-goal wasn’t enough as defender Gerard Pique was sent into the forward line as another attacker.
A free kick in the 79th minute gave Messi a golden opportunity, but he was denied again by Cesar.
Inter will take a handy advantage going into their second-leg clash at the Nou Camp next week.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I must say I quite enjoyed the Bayern - Lyon game. I think Bayern should go a man down more often.
Roger Rational
Guest
I wonder if Craig Foster's brain exploded when he saw his beloved Barca being outwitted by the master tactician Jose Mourinho.
whiskeymac
Guest
well there you go - plasma screens and dvd. that's inhumane when LCD and bue ray must be considered the standard nowadays. fair point but 14 hours in first class is still 14 hours... yeah ok a bit weak.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
good game
Rory O'Sullivan
Roar Pro
cant wait for return league good on inter for sticking it to barcelona
Midfielder
Guest
Great result
Phil E Buster
Guest
What a gruelling ordeal it must have been for Barcelona: "FORTY SIX feet long, 12 feet high, 480 horsepower... from the outside, it’s the standard Scania luxury coach. But inside, things are a bit different. For a start the standard coaches are built to carry 53 passengers. Leather seats and climate control are standard of course. Inside it’s quieter than most luxury cars. But to carry superstars, you need more than five-star comfort. The Barcelona coach is purpose-built to carry a maximum 36 passengers, and for the 985-kilometre ride to Milan there were just 20 players and three staff – with other staff travelling in a separate vehicle. Two card tables, plus a lounge area with another table, provided space to stretch as well as gamble away a few euro. Bored with that the players, could watch films – Yes Man and Invictus were the favourites – on one of six plasma TV screens or use one of the two DVD players. For those still bored, there was always the internet option via a high speed onboard broadband link." Irish Examiner Wednesday, April 21, 2010 I can hardly believe the pampered millionaires of Bar$a had the fortitude to endure such inhuman torture on their trip to Milan :lol:
Phil E Buster
Guest
Please...Barca travelled on a luxury bus and stopped overnight half way at a five star hotel. Hardly "Gruelling".
whiskeymac
Guest
"After a gruelling 14-hour bus trip, due to the closure of airports around Europe, Barcelona was primed" gruelling trips primed the team? bit of an unfair advantage, especially if inter fly for the return.
Lazza
Guest
What a great game and can't wait for the return leg. Feel a bad flu (cough, cough) coming on for next Thursday. Barca can still turn this around and I wouldn't write them off but it shows why no-one has won consecutive CL's for 20 years. Unlike the domestic leagues there are just too many good teams for anyone to dominate for long.