Inter Milan knocked out of UEFA Champions League – The Treble dream falls apart
The Italian giants, Inter Milan, were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by the struggling Bundesliga outfit, Schalke 04. Schalke did the ‘Italian Job’ with ease, winning the quarter-final 7-3 on aggregate. Inter were competing in the Serie A, Coppa Italia and the UCL prior to the Champions League exit, but their dreams of landing another treble were shattered ruthlessly by a Raul inspired Schalke 04. Worst still, they will have to pray to Lady Luck in order to defend their Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.
The first leg of the quarter-final was played at San Siro where http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 were reckoned to be the favourites by every means, but the Nerazzurri were made to witness a horror show. The struggling outfit from the German Bundesliga thrashed the defending champions 5-2 on their home turf, delivering arguably the biggest upset of the season.
The defeat left the whole scenario changed and the men in black and blue, who were at one point dreaming of achieving the Treble, had their wish overshadowed by the backdrop. The Serpents were left requiring a miraculous 4-0 win in order to progress to the semi-finals of the competition. Even the Nerazzurri president labelled it a ‘Mission Impossible,’ but both the club manager and the skipper were optimistic.
Responding to the President’s ‘Mission Impossible’ statements, Zanetti clarified it to the fans and the opponents that his give in their all in order to secure a result. For all the optimism, the Italians were battered yet again by the German minnows in the second leg. Legendary striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166 were limited to shots from outside the box.
The German defender Benedikt Howedes scored a superb goal in the 81st minute to drill the final nail in the Nerazzurri coffin. The final whistle came as the curtain call for Inter’s show at the Champions League and the defending champions failed the cause. A major reason for the loss can be attributed to the jadedness the players have faced during their recent run in the Serie A. Moreover, competing on multiple fronts led to a loss of focus; the ever building pressure and growing expectations proved too much for the men in black and blue.
Currently third in the league and 5 points adrift of the league leaders, the Serie A title is very much in range for the Biscione. However, they need to hit a purple patch and win all the remaining six games, and pray for AC Milan and SSC http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia on 19th April. Should they manage to better La Maggica, a mouth watering clash against either AC Milan or US Palermo will be awaiting them. The final few games of the season will make or break Leonardo’s season at Giuseppe Meazza.
The season has been unusual for the Nerazzurri who have landed five consecutive Serie A trophies, along with 3 Coppa Italia titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy. It would be a huge disappointment if they don’t manage to win the Scudetto and the TIM Cup. Leonardo http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Araujo-c6435 has scant chances of landing silverware but there is hope for the next season. The Nerazzurri are at the end of a cycle, where the fresh blood needs to replace the aged legs. With a younger and hungrier team taking to the field, there is no reason for Inter Milan not to win silverware the coming season.
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