Champions League: Roma Stroll, Inter Struggle

By: Martha | September 19th, 2007

Totters Though only three of Fenerbahce’s attempts were actually on goal, the fact that they outshot Inter 12-3 in the first half is really all you need to know about how the game went for the visitors. They weren’t totally dominated — possession was about 55-45% for the Turks — but there was no connection between the midfield and the forwards, and even mildly threatening moments were pretty much nonexistent. Plus, the referee blew his whistle every time Zlatan had the audacity to leave his feet, and gave him an early card (when a Fenerbahce player flew by him and landed awkwardly), neither of which helped matters. The Fenerbahce goal came as the first half was ending and was a great volley from Deivid, but the amount of space he found himself in at the top of the box was completely absurd.

Figo and Jimenez came on the in the second half and things were marginally better — Inter had a lot more possession in the Fenerbahce end and a pile of corners, but still few shots — but it was a miracle the Turks didn’t at least double their lead: Roberto Carlos hit the post once, Julio Cesar made several fantastic saves, and Fenerbahce squandered several great chances without any help from Inter. In the end, they were very happy with a 1-0 win, and a few moments at the top of the group.

This is all very familiar to Inter, in light of last year’s terrible CL start: They’re joint-bottom with CSKA Moscow, and could very much use a win when PSV come to town on Matchday 2.

For their part, it sounds like Roma kicked all kinds of ass in beating Dynamo Kyiv at home today, thanks to goals from Simone Perrotta and that one guy, Francesco Totti. Reports indicate Roma utterly dominated the first half in particular, during which they played with the ridiculous ease they have when everything is working. Though the second half was evidently somewhat less lopsided, they apparently could have won by or four three goals had they had a bit of luck or, yes, had Giuly put his chances away. (Anyone who saw the match, feel free to weigh in with details; also, there’s bound to be a full report up at the Roma page sooner than later.)

With the win, Roma are now positioned as well as they could possibly be for their dreaded trip back to Old Trafford on October 2: They’re tied for first in the group and, barring domestic disaster between now and then, will be practically exploding with confidence when they go try to win their dignity back.