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Inter Stumble Again as Marseille Edged Them In Europe

Luci a San Siro - 15 febbraio 2009Inter Milan carried their poor league form into the Champions League as the Italian outfit were defeated by Marseille with a late goal from Andrew Ayew at Vellodrome.

The result was obviously disappointing for the Nerazzurri who were actually very close in earning a pretty precious point if not for defensive mistake right at the dead which allowed the home team to knick a goal.

Coming into the game carrying consecutive defeats in Serie A, Claudio Ranieri, opted a rather cautious approach to the game by fielding a single striker formation supported by an attacking midfielder in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Moreover, the tactician also picked experienced players to handle the pressure as Inter reportedly fielded an averagely the oldest side in this year’s Champions League, with 32 years old in total.

Playing a cautious game, things seemingly looking pretty well for Inter as they managed to hold down the home side’s aggressiveness while creating some chances through the likes of Diego Forlan and Wesley Sneijder. It was a pretty even match as the result of the first half pretty much represents the equality as both sides are forced to end the period with a 0-0 draw without much special goal mouth action happening.

Marseille improved their attacking play in the second period though as they poured down the pressure towards the Nerazzurri flanks, forcing Ranieri to make a more defensive move by taking off Zarate for Joel Obi. Things seemingly looked solid for Inter until the final 90 as the draw result could be taken home but Ayew simply blew all of the plan away after his glancing header slotted into Julio Cesar’s net without any problem.

The result simply left a bitter taste for Inter, mainly Ranieri who was opting for the cautious approach in order to get away with something positive so his players can eventually rebuilt their current mental problem. However, things looking even more difficult at the moment for the Nerazzurri especially since they will be facing Napoli in Serie A this weekend, a rather difficult task in their attempt to simply break away from the current bad spell.

Match Reports

Marseille v Inter 1-0
Goal: Ayew 93 (Marseille)

Olympique Marseille: Mandanda; Azpilicueta (Fanni 80), Diawara, N’Koulou, Morel; Diarra, Cheyrou (Kabore 83); Amalfitano, Valbuena, A Ayew; Brandao (J Ayew 72)
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon (Nagatomo 46), Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Zarate (Obi 63); Sneijder; Forlan

Creative Commons License photo credit: batrax