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Adriano’s Hand Guides Inter Towards Scudetto

Pre-Match And Team News

Prior to the commencement of this contest, many believed that the eventual result would have a major impact in the race for this season’s Italian championship. Heading into the match, Inter were eight points clear of their neighbouring rivals, and six clear of Juventus, a team that managed a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Sampdoria earlier in the day.

The Nerazzurri were dealt a massive blow on Friday, as their right back Maicon was ruled out through injury, however incredibly he was declared fit to play prior to this match, meaning that the only absentee was Mario Balotelli who was suspended. Jose Mourinho opted to start Adriano alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack, whilst the impressive Davide Santon was handed another start at left-back.

Meanwhile, Milan had a number of problems to deal with in the lead up to this contest, as Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Marco Borriello, Emerson and even Kaka, who was given a chance earlier in the week, all missed through injury. In addition to this, Daniele Bonera was forced to miss through suspension, whilst Kakha Kaladze made a timely return from injury, and earned a start along side Paolo Maldini in the centre of defence.

First Half

Milan got the first half underway, however it was Inter that immediately made an early attacking movement, as after just one minute of play, Ibrahimovic was gifted a free header when he was left unmarked in the area following a free kick by Cambiasso. Unfortunately for the Nerazzurri’s sake though, the Swede was unable to get his header on target, as the ball sailed wide of the target.

It took less than five minutes for the derby to really heat up, as a flare was tossed on to the field, which consequently halted the play. In addition to this, Beckham and Muntari exchanged some words, after the latter flattened the Englishman with a tough tackle from behind.

Inter were looking the better early, as they surged forward in numbers on more than one occasion, and after winning the first two corners of the match just moments later, Milan’s defensive ranks were tested once again, as they gifted two more free headers to Samuel and Adriano; although neither were successful.

Despite all of the Rossoneri’s efforts to work themselves into the contest, it was the Nerazzurri that continued to dominate, and they should have opened the scoring on 18 minutes, when Cambiasso cut the ball across the face of goal and picked out an unmarked Stankovic, who was denied by one of the best challenges you will see by Ambrosini.

Pato continued to be his side’s danger man up front, as he looked to improve on his recent record at having scored eight times in the past nine matches, after he went close to opening the scoring on 22 minutes. The young Brazilian flicked a Ronaldinho ball in towards Julio Cesar, although the effort was hit straight at the goal keeper, and so the derby remained scoreless.

The Rossoneri finally got themselves into it, as the clock approached the half hour mark; however it was Inter that took the lead completely against the run of play, when Adriano headed home the first of the night. Maicon’s glorious ball into the area was met by the Brazilian at the back post, who controversially put the ball into the back of the net with the assistance of his arm. It was 1-0 to Inter after 29 minutes of play.

The red half of Milan tried to respond immediately, however they failed to find the target through the likes of Pato, Seedorf and Jankulovski, all of whom unsuccessfully tested their luck from the edge of the area, following Adriano’s controversial opener.

Inter doubled their advantage through Stankovic after 43 minutes, as the Serbian managed to get on the end of an Ibrahimovic header and smash the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. Muntari’s long ball in was met by the Swede, who out muscled Kaladze to head the ball on to Stankovic, who then made no mistake from close range, to all but end Milan’s hopes of emerging triumphant in the 270th Derby della Madonnina.

That’s how it ended, as the Nerazzurri took a match winning two goal advantage into the half time interval, whilst Milan pondered what could have been had they taken a chance earlier in the contest. To be fair though, Inter were the dominant force throughout, and deservedly led comfortably at the break.

Second Half

The reigning Italian champions got the second half underway, against a side that desperately needed to attain a result from this clash, however as was the case in the first half, it was the home side, Inter, that went close to opening the scoring. Adriano was wonderfully played through by Muntari, and once again he left Maldini and Kaladze for dead, however despite beating Abbiati, the ball sailed wide of the target.

Milan began to mount the pressure on their rivals after this, as Ronaldinho in particular started to lift for his side. His service in towards his attackers was second to none, however the likes of Seedorf and Pato failed to hit the target. They continued to press, and should have had a penalty on 55 minutes, when Stankovic made contact with Ambrosini in the area, however it wasn’t to be, as the referee called for play to continue.

Carlo Ancelotti made the first change of the contest, as Pippo Inzaghi was brought on for Beckham, who hobbled off with what looked to be a hamstring injury. Inzaghi’s early impact was minimal however, as Inter continued to dominate and went close to scoring once again through Adriano (twice), Ibrahimovic and Muntari.

It was all Inter over the next ten minute period, however incredibly Milan equalised through Pato on 70 minutes, to give Milan a glimmer of hope. Ronaldinho’s glorious ball through to Jankulovski, allowed the left back to cut it across the face of goals were the young Brazilian awaited, and he made no mistake by beating Julio Cesar in goal.

The game burst to life following Pato’s goal, as both sides had a number of opportunities to add to their respective tallies. Firstly Inter went close to making it three, when Adriano was played through one on one with Abbiati; however the Milan keeper was up to the challenge, as his sensational save denied the powerful Brazilian. Milan immediately responded through Ronaldinho, who continued to trouble the Inter defence, however they too failed to find the back of the net once again.

Pippo Inzaghi scored the Rossoneri’s second after 78 minutes, only for it to be ruled out for offside. His outstanding left foot volley was too good for Julio Cesar; however the linesman immediately responded by raising his flag, and despite the protests from Inzaghi and his Milan team mates, the replays proved that the decision made was the correct one.

Ancelotti’s men could have easily been awarded a penalty as we approached the final ten minutes of play, however the referee did not believe that Chivu’s clumsy challenge on Inzaghi was worthy of a spot kick, and so the play continued. Inter began to decrease the intensity at this point, as Mourinho would go on to make three changes in eight minutes, with Vieira, Burdisso and Maxwell all making an appearance.

There were four minutes of stoppage time in the second half, and just prior to this announcement Inzaghi had a huge chance to equal the score line, when a Ronaldinho ball was met by the chest of Ambrosini, who directed it through towards Inzaghi. The veteran striker failed to beat Julio Cesar, who made an outstanding save, and celebrated as if he had just won the Scudetto for Inter.

That may very well have been the case, as the referee’s final whistle meant that Inter are now an astonishing 11 points clear of their neighbouring rivals, and nine clear of Juventus. Goals to Adriano and Stankovic were enough for the Nerazzurri on the night, which as a result has left them with one hand on the 2008/09 Scudetto.

TEAMS

Inter (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Samuel, Chivu, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari (Maxwell 88’); Stankovic (Burdisso 84’); Adriano (Vieira 80’), Ibrahimovic

Milan (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Kaladze (Senderos 77’), Maldini, Jankulovski; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Beckham (Inzaghi 57’); Seedorf, Ronaldinho; Pato

GOALS

29’ Adriano (Inter)

43’ Stankovic (Inter)

70’ Pato (Milan) Goal


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