Champions League: Inter Milan v Tottenham half time report
Inter Milan 4 Tottenham 0
Inter Milan have produced a first half master-class as they lead Tottenham by four goals to nil at the San Siro.
Javier Zanetti provided the perfect start when he put the reigning champions in front with only a minute gone on the clock.
Zanetti began the attack and moved the ball onto Philipe Coutinho, who found Samuel Eto’o, and it was his perfectly-weighted pass that enabled captain Zanetti to place his finish past Tottenham ‘keeper Heurelho Gomes.
Eto’o doubled the lead for the home side on 10 minutes as he tucked away a penalty to pile on the misery for Tottenham after such a shocking start. Gomes was sent off for a foul on Jonathan Biabiany, who got goal-side of Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
It took some time for Gomes to realise he had seen red, and his replacement Carlo Cudicini had no chance to save the penalty from Eto’o.
Two soon became three as Dejan Stanković finished off a beautiful move on 13 minutes. His neat one-two exchange with Eto’o on the edge of the box was capped off with a fine finish.
Tottenham’s first chance came on 27 minutes, through Peter Crouch, but he couldn’t convert a cross as Tottenham looked stunned by what had hit them in the early moments of the match.
Eto’o continued to terrorise the Tottenham defence, and he scored his second of the game after he beat William Gallas to the ball and finished with the outside of his foot 10 minutes before the break.
Maicon could have added to the scoreline after he was allowed two consecutive shots at goal, but Cudicini much to his relief was able to keep the ball out.
A tough half time team talk for Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is coming up for sure.
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