Inter Milan vs. Liverpool

Tuesday March 11 Liverpool took to the pitch against Inter Milan at the San Siro in Milan.  Liverpool came into the Champions League clash with a two goal lead from their match at Anfield.  Liverpool were without Steve Finnan through injury and Xabi Alonso, whose girlfriend was having a baby.  Inter were without Marco Materazzi who was suspended after being sent off in the first leg.

The atmosphere was electric as the match kicked off, and Liverpool won their first corner 2 minutes into the match.  Inter won their first corner 2 minutes later, as no team was asserting any early dominance in the match.  Inter had the first good chance 8 minutes in, when Julio Cruz shot a low powerful shot towards the left side of goal, but Pepe Reina was able to push it out for a corner. 

Inter were then awarded a free kick after a foul on Javier Zanetti, which was taken by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hit the Liverpool wall.  However, Ryan Babel was given a yellow card for a hand ball and then kick was taken again.  This time Zlatan hit it over the bar and out for a goal kick.  Inter continued to put more and more pressure on Liverpool, who seemed content to defend for large portions of the match.  Inter had a few opportunities, Zlatan had a shot go wide, but 20 minutes in the only decent chance was Cruz’s.

Ryan Babel almost got in behind the Inter defense in the 24^th minute, when a long ball was played over the top, but Julio Cesar was able to get out knock it away.  Inter’s defenders almost gifted away a goal a few minutes later when instead of just clearing the ball they passed it around their box and Fernando Torres was able to win the ball and almost put in a goal.  Julio Cruz should have put Inter 1-0 up when he received the ball on the left and with no one within two yards of him, but he put it just inches wide.

Inter continued to put Liverpool under pressure but they were not able to create anymore clear chances.  They had a few good crosses put in but the Liverpool defense was able to knock them all clear of danger. Inter Milan had one last chance before the half, when Cruz flicked the ball towards goal from about 5 yards out after a low cross from Maicon.  Reina was able to pull off a good save though and keep it out.  At halftime the score was 0-0.

The second half began with a yellow card for Steven Gerrard on a harsh tackle on Esteban Cambiasso. Inter were then reduced to 10 men again as Nicholas Burdisso was sent off for a tackle that did not really seem worthy of a second yellow card. So again Inter fans can resent the fact that they were harshly sent down a player in the Champions League, perhaps it is karma for all the things that seem to go their way in the league. 

Continuing on in the match, Liverpool were looking to press their advantage and wrap the tie up with another goal, and had a few good looks at goal.  Christian Chivu then went on a long run, which ended with him being hacked down by Fabio Aureillo who received a yellow card.  Zlatan then smashed the free kick miles over the goal.  However, a mistake at the back for Liverpool served up a perfect chance for Inter to get a goal, and Zlatan seemed like he would easily knock it in, but like Cruz in the half earlier he sent the ball wide.

Nelson Rivas was then booked for a tackle on Ryan Babel, which set up a great free kick for Steven Gerrard to take.  His attempt was good, and Cesar was able to knock it over the bar for a corner.  Babel was then substituted for Yossi Benayoun.

Fernando Torres then put Liverpool in the lead with a goal in the 63^rd minute. 

Afterwards Liverpool were able to press their advantage, and put Inter under more pressure.  Gerrard put in a shot after a pass from Fernando Torres but it was right to the keeper.  As the match continued on it got dirtier with more fouls and yellow cards being displayed.  Ibrahimovic had another fantastic attempt to score in the 78^th minute, but he skied the chance that he scores easily on most occasions.  He was then substituted for David Suazo, who some Inter fans might have hoped would have seen action must sooner.

The game died down as the match came to an end, a few more shots were sent on goal for both sides but none really came close to going in.  As injury time came to a close Liverpool passed the ball around their backline. Full time and Liverpool moved on to the Quarterfinals along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Fenerbahce, Roma, Schalke, and Manchester Utd.  Inter are left to wallow in Champions League disappointment again.

Again the final score: Liverpool 1 Inter Milan 0

BREAKING NEWS: After this match Inter manager Roberto Mancini has said that he will leave Inter at the end of the season.