Sunday, 23 December 07, 04:00 PM
Sunday, 5:45am. It was still dark outside when I got up to watch Internazionale versus AC Milan.
All I hoped was for a great game to keep me awake and to get me even more excited for a great football Sunday.
They didn’t let me down.
First it was very nice to see Internazionale's players line-up in a "tunel" formation to greet AC Milan as they stepped onto the pitch. They all clapped in recognition of Milan's achievement in Japan. A great gesture.
But Internazionale was eager to beat the World Champions.
Internazionale dominated the first half but it was Milan who scored first. Inzaghi was fouled at the left side of the half-circle and Pirlo invited goalkeeper Julio Cesar to watch the ball curves and rest inside the net on the top right corner.
That was Milan’s only shot on the first half that still had some great runs by Kaka, one of each, ended up causing Samuel to get injured. Defenders need a special health insurance when playing against Kaká. He literally “bent” Samuel. The defender was replaced by Materazzi.
And at the 35th minute justice was made. In a good play on the left side of the pitch, the ball found Julio Cruz in the box to score his 10th goal for Internazionale this season.
In the second half Milan came back with Emerson, Gillardino and Serginho in the places of Gattuso, Inzaghi and Seedorf.
Serginho for Seedorf was the weirdest sub coach Ancelotti could have made. Ok, Seedorf was not brilliant but the team certainly lost a reference.
And with a very unorganized defense came Internazionale’s second goal. A shot by Cambiasso (the best player of the game in my opinion) that was deflected by Kaladze and could not be saved by Dida.
Man of the Match: Cambiasso
After the second goal it seemed that the Nerazzurri still wanted more. They were putting pressure on AC Milan’s defense and brought in the 20-year old Portuguese player, Pelé.
Milan’s offensive efforts were not working and even though the Rossoneri played a little better towards the end of the match, it was not enough to change the score.
I honestly expected more from AC Milan from a team. They were the world champions but they deposit all their hopes on Kaka’s shoulder. He actually did what he could but many times I felt he was playing by himself.
As for Internazionale, they have a very balanced, organized team, I personally wanted to see more from Ibrahimovic but Julio Cruz and Camibiasso did the job. It’s inter on their way for a second championship in a row.
I hate to say it but Milan was lacking something. I always felt that Inter would come back and seize the day. Cambiasso and Cruz were immense. Nesta did have a good game, but the jetlag really showed
on Milan. Nevertheless a quality game, but no chance for Inter to lose any points. Shame.
3 Comments
No Kaladze deflection, just a mistake by Dida. I agree with you, Ibrahimovic did not play its best game of the season, anc Cruz+Cambiasso were the best.
Do you think Inter will remain unbeaten this whole season?