Inter Milan suffered a rather tragic exit from their Champions League campaign as Claudio Ranieri’s side went out from the competition in the last minute of the match courtesy of the away goal rule.
The former treble winner actually won their match in midweek 2-1, but their opponent, Marseille, were the ones having the last laugh as Didier Deschamps’ team went through because of the away goal they scored.
Chasing a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Inter players were pumped up right from the start and immediately took the attacking initiative as their morale is still high after picking up their first victory in the weekend. Wesley Sneijder and Diego Milito created lots of goal scoring chances for the home team in that first period, but combination of poor finishing and fine performance from the French side’s goalie, Steve Mandanda forced the period to end in a 0-0 draw.
The Nerazzurri still fighting hard for a shot at the quarter final and continuously finding difficulties despite they’re facing a side who also didn’t have a great moment in the Ligue 1 at the moment. However, luck seemingly arrived for Inter at last after Milito eventually scored in the 75th minute after pouncing on a scramble in front of Madanda’s goal, leading the Argentinian an easy path to simply tucking the ball into the net.
However, just when the match looked to be heading for an extra time, lady luck was abandoning Inter yet again as from a goal kick situation, Marseille stunned the San Siro crowd when substitute striker, Brandao stole into the home team’s back line and blasted his shot passed Julio Cesar. It was already deep in injury time and the goal obviously knocked out any hope for the Nerazzurri as they have to grab two goals withing less than a minute left.
Inter did eventually earned a penalty not long after Marseille’s equalizing goal when a panic defense forced Mandanda to clip Giampaolo Pazzini inside the box, resulting in a red card for the French international keeper. Pazzini himself took the spot kick and successfully beat replacement keeper, Bracigliano, making the score line looking much more respectable for the Italian side as they have no more chance to score since the penalty was the last action of the game.
Match Report:
Inter Milan v Marseille 2-1
Goals: Milito 75, Pazzini pen 96 (Inter); Brandao 92 (Marseille)
Inter 2-1 Marseille (2-2 on agg)
Scorers: Milito 75 (I), Brandao 92 (M), Pazzini pen 96 (I)
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Stankovic, Poli (Cambiasso 74); Sneijder (Obi 58); Forlan (Pazzini 58), Milito
Olympique Marseille: Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Diawara, N’Koulou, Morel; Diarra, Mbia; Amalfitano, Valbuena (Cheyrou 76), A Ayew (Bracigliano 95); Remy (Brandao 87)
