Champions League: Ragged Win for Inter, Last-Gasp Draw for Roma

By: Martha | November 7th, 2007

Cordoba love. Things started out ugly in Milan today, with Inter looking dangerously casual and going down 2-0 in the first half hour, thanks to great goals by the Brazilian duo of Jô (who seems to own Inter) and Vágner Love. When the match ended, though, Inter had won 4-2, and it was only thanks to their shocking finishing in the second half that it wasn’t six or seven.

CSKA Moscow stayed true to their promise and played as if they were at home, attacking eagerly and giving Inter backline some early trouble. Eventually, though, the hosts settled in and spent a lot of time playing crosses into the opposing box and winning corners. Granted, no one was really getting on the end of the crosses for much of the first half, but the chances were there and, considering that Inter actually had six defenders on the field (two of them pretending to be midfielders) the periodic fluidity of the attack was plenty encouraging. They pulled a deserved goal back just a minute after Vágner Love scored when Zlatan Ibrahimovic smoothly finished off a Cristian Chivu free kick, and drew level shortly thereafter through Estaban Cambiasso. The (Brazilian) Muscovites continued to attack in the second half, but the great majority of the chances were Inter’s: Both Cambiasso and Zlatan squandered gift chances before the Argie made amends by pounding home a half volley and putting Inter ahead for good. Zlatan finished things off with a great solo effort 15 minutes from time, turneing between two CSKA Moscow players, pushing the ball into space, and lashed it into the net from about 20 yards out, leaving the keeper without the slightest chance.

In lovely Portugal, meanwhile, Roma grabbed a tie through an 89th minute goal by David Pizarro (or Anderson Polga, off whom the ball went in), denying Sporting Lisbon what some would call a deserved victory. The Romans took an early lead through a fourth-minute Marco Cassetti screamer, but then struggled mightily against an active Sporting side who drew level before the half and kept Doni very busy in the Roma goal. As the second half started, Roma kept the ball more effectively and created several chances, with Daniele De Rossi failing to take advantage of two of them. Sporting were apparently very impressive at home and seemed headed for a win, when Pizarro popped up with a shot from the top of the box that took a pair of deflections and ended up the back of the net, earning Roma a very handy point.

So, at the end of the day, Roma have seven points and remain second in Group F, now five points behind Man U, who have a perfect 12 points from their four matches, and three above Sporting. For their part, Inter have nine points and are top of Group G, one clear of Fenerbahçe, who they will host at the end of the month.

Edit: RomaChris’ report is up, as is PortugalGreg’s brief one.