New Delhi: The Nerazzurri found themselves two goals behind against the Giallorossi on two separate occasions on Sunday night, however it ended all square in one of the matches of the season at the San Siro Stadium.
First Half
The home side got the match underway in Milan, however it was Roma that made all of the early movements, starting in the very first minute when they were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Julio Baptista stepped up to take the resulting kick, and unfortunately for his sake the ball sailed just inches over the bar.
The Giallorossi continued their positive start over the next 10 minutes, as they were evidently more confident when attacking against the reigning Italian champions, as opposed to their midweek Champions League match with Arsenal. Brighi had a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock on six minutes, when he narrowly missed from close range, after Vucinic’s run and ball in from the right side, as well as Cordoba’s poor clearance with his head.
The league leaders started to work themselves into the match as we approached the 20 minute mark, however prior to this point they had managed just the two efforts on goal, both through their captain Zanetti, who failed to beat Doni on both occasions. The capital club were in complete control, however it was clear that they would have to make the most of their dominance if they were to have any hope of attaining a result from this match.
Daniele De Rossi ensured that Roma did exactly that, as he managed to head home the opener on 23 minutes, following a glorious ball into the area from Motta. The former Udinese man managed to get the better of Santon deep in attack, and his pin point accuracy from the cross was enough to find his captain, who was too strong in the air for his opposing skipper Zanetti, to head past a helpless Julio Cesar in goals.
Incredibly John Arne Riise doubled the advantage for the Giallorossi on 29 minutes, when he astonishingly put the ball past Julio Cesar from the acutest of angles at the near post. The former Liverpool man managed to get on to the end of a long ball, by controlling it wonderfully with his head. Maicon’s failure to close the left back down, allowed him to work his way into the area and somehow put the ball past the Brazilian keeper from close range.
Vucinic had the chance to make it three just minutes later, when he moved into the area, and attempted to get an effort away, only to be denied by a world class challenge from behind by Burdisso. The defender’s tackle completely took the pace off the strike, which consequently rolled wide of the target.
Luciano Spalletti’s men continued to control the play as the half neared an end, and despite not creating many clear cut chances in the final 10 minutes of play, they deservedly held on to their two goal advantage at the break, leaving Jose Mourinho with a number of concerns heading into the second half.
Second Half
Having lost just one of their past 34 league matches, Inter instantly responded at the commencement of the second half by making some changes that were expected by Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician brought on Vieira and Figo for Burdisso and Maxwell respectively, whilst Cambiasso dropped to the centre of defence to play alongside Cordoba at the back.
The changes made by Mourinho had an immediate impact, as Balotelli opened the Inter account on 50 minutes, with a sweet strike from just inside the area that gave Doni not much chance in goals. Figo’s lovely through ball found Adriano, who then played it wide to Super Mario, and he did the rest from inside the area to make it 2-1.
Despite their fine start to the second half, the Nerazzurri conceded a third on 57 minutes, as Brighi found the back of the net for Roma. Vucinic’s short pass to Baptista saw the Brazilian easily turn Cambiasso, who seemed to be struggling to impose himself in the back four. The Brazilian then played a neat ball through to Brighi, who did the rest by beating Julio Cesar for the third time in the match.
The match took another interesting turn on 63 minutes, when Balotelli won a penalty for the Nerazzurri, after a sparkling run into the area that eventually ended when De Rossi made slight contact with the Italian striker. The starlet stepped up to take the spot kick, and he made no mistake, by coolly slotting it past Doni to give his side a chance with just under half an hour remaining.
As the half approached the final 20 minutes, it was clear that the home side had certainly lifted in confidence, as they went in search of an equaliser and perhaps a winner after that. Despite this though, it was the visitors that had the best opportunity to add to their respective tally on 68 minutes, when Vucinic managed to get on to the end of a lovely chip into the area, but unfortunately for his sake he failed to direct his header on target.
Incredibly just one minute after being brought on to the field for Stankovic, Inter’s Crespo equalised the match with a stunning header to beat Doni in goals. Figo’s ball in from the left caught Mexes out of position, allowing the Argentine substitute to rise above the French defender and Panucci to head home his side’s third and make it 3-3.
The match entered the final five minutes, and despite dominating for the large part of the contest, it seemed as if Roma were desperately holding on to ensure that they attained at least a result against the league leaders in this match. Inter were certainly looking the more likely to add to their tally in the closing stages, although Riise did have an opportunity on 86 minutes from a free kick, which was well dealt with by Julio Cesar.
De Rossi had a massive opportunity on 90 minutes, when he expertly controlled the ball in the area and got himself into a good position to score. Unfortunately for his sake though, his eventual effort with the left boot was poor, and wide of the target. Three minutes of stoppage time were indicated by the fourth official, however it seemed as if it was too little too late for the Romans.
The referee’s final whistle made sure of this, as Inter and Roma played out one of the most entertaining matches of the season. The result sees Inter remain seven points clear of Juventus, whilst Roma are still in sixth place, as they continue to struggle to break into the top four in the league.
TEAMS
Inter (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Burdisso (Vieira, 46’), Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Maxwell (Figo, 46’); Stankovic (Crespo, 79’); Adriano, Balotelli
Roma (4-3-1-2): Doni; Motta, Panucci, Mexes, Riise; Brighi, De Rossi, Taddei; Pizarro; Baptista, Vucinic (Menez, 76’)
GOALS
23’ De Rossi (Roma)
29’ Riise (Roma)
50’ Balotelli (Inter)
57’ Brighi (Roma)
63’ Balotelli (Inter)
79’ Crespo (Inter)
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