Champions League Group A match analysis: FC Internazionale vs Tottenham Hotspur
FC Internazionale hosted Tottenham Hotspurs in a key match of the UEFA Champions League. Both teams were level on four points each after their opening two games. A win for either team would have been a huge step forward for qualification
into the knockout round of 16.
The European Champions Inter Milan, were hoping to continue their goal scoring form from the last match, which they played against Werder Bremen. The Italian champions put four past the German outfit, with Samuel Eto’o scoring
a brilliant hat-trick.
Tottenham were setup in a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation, with Luka Modric playing the 10th man role behind the lone striker Peter Crouch. Inter, however, were formed in a more versatile 4-2-3-1 formation. Javier Zanetti
and Dejan Stankovic filled in the defensive midfielder roles, providing cover for the back four, while their prolific goal scorer Samuel Eto’o spearheaded the attack.
The Italian and European champions were offensive from the start and found themselves in front only in the second minute of the match. A string of passes from the Inter players was followed by a through pass from Eto’o, which met
Javier Zanetti’s overlapping run from the flank. The Argentinean calmly slotted past Heurelho Gomes, making it 1-0.
Spurs hadn’t recovered from the first blow, when the catastrophe occurred; Wesley Sneijder’s defence splitting pass found Jonathan Biabiani, who beat the high defensive line setup by the Spurs to find himself between Benoit Assou-Ekotto
and Gomez. Biabiani’s quick feet helped him get the ball past the keeper, when Inter’s winger was brought down by Gomez, in the box. The referee had no option but to issue marching orders for the Brazilian goalkeeper. Eto’o put the ball past Carlo Cudicini,
the substitute keeper, from the penalty spot, to give the defending European champions a two goal advantage, inside ten minutes.
The Londoners were unable to cope with the passing of Inter players. With fourteen minutes on the clock, Stankovic slotted in for the third goal of the night for Inter. Stankovic played a neat one-two with Eto’o, on the edge of
the box, before accurately slotting in the bottom left corner of Cudicini’s goal.
The first yellow card of the match came on in the 18th minute for Cristian Chivu, whose tackle on Aaron Lennon was judged unfair by the referee. Tottenham did not pose any attacking threat to the Inter’s defence, as
Peter Crouch, their only target upfront was unable to capitalize on any opportunity provided.
With 3-0 down Tottenham looked lackluster, and their misery didn’t end there. Samuel Eto’o made the scoreline read 4-0 on the 34th minute, as he pounced on the through ball from Philippe Coutinho. The Cameroonian striker,
thus taking his tally for this season’s Champions League to six goals.
Tottenham looked totally down and out and it was indeed turning out to be an unforgettable outing for them. With four goals and a man down, a half-time break was what they desperately needed.
In the second half, Harry Redknapp’s side came out with purpose to salvage some sort of pride, as they held a fine defensive line to block off any defence splitting passes.
Spurs sat back deep and tried to play on the counter attack. They were rewarded for their efforts when Gareth Bale made a bursting run through the Inter midfield, beating players by sheer pace, and finishing it with a fantastic
left footed shot, that settled in the bottom corner of Julio Cesar’s goal.
It really was a spirited response from the North Londoners, as they looked more organized at the back and comfortable on the ball. Inter, however, remained camped in their opponent’s half, with the major share of possession in
their favour.
Inter’s attack was limited to long range shots, with Cudicini making some fine saves along the second half. The second yellow card of the game came to Wilson Palacios when he brought down Lucio, halting the big Brazilain’s surging
run.
The game was about to end with Inter as 4-1 winners, when Gareth Bale scored two goals in two minutes. His second goal was almost an action replay of his first strike, which left Julio Cesar catching thin air as the ball nestled
in the bottom right corner. Aaron Lennon was the provider for the 3rd Tottenham goal. He made a creative run through the middle before setting up Bale, whose thunderous left footed strike proved to be unstoppable.
But it was too little too late, as the referee blew the final whistle, with the final score line reading 4-3 in favour of Inter Milan.
It was an unforgettable night for Gareth Bale who scored his first European hat-trick. Harry Redknapp will surely be pleased with the kind of resilience his side showed after the interval. Besides the loss, Redknapp will be taking
the positives from his side’s performance and will be upbeat for the returning fixture at White Hart Lane, in a fortnight’s time.
Tags: