Chelsea 0 Inter Milan 1 (agg. 1-3) Inter Milan progress past the first UEFA Champions League knock out stage
Jose Mourinho revisited his old stomping ground at Stamford Bridge in the 2nd Leg tie, going into the match leading 2-1 after the 1st leg at the San Siro.
The special one had a standing ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful - Mourinho looked touched but then it was down to business in this knock out Champions League match. After winning 5 trophies in his time at the Bridge, there are still numerous Chelsea fans that would have him back - and who could blame them.
Mourinho's side defended with great strength in the first half, with great blocks preventing shots from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka (42 minutes) from clawing the home side back into the tie. Lucio and Samuel were dynamite in central defence, keeping Drogba under control more than any other.
Eto'o also had a chance in the 35th minute, missing from close range after John Terry had narrowly missed a defensive header.
Although the first half was goal less, Chelsea could have been 1 up easily, after being denied 2 penalty shouts from corner kick action - Ivanovic and Drogba were both uprooted. I would have given them both.
Chelsea kicked off the second half, seemingly drifting more into a 4-4-2 formation with Anelka joining Drogba as well as Malouda assuming an advanced left midfield position. Inter contained them well initially, looking to soak up the home team possession and hit them on the break where possible. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka piled on the pressure on to Lucio and Samuel - a fantastic offensive-defensive dual to witness.
In the 50th minute, Eto'o had a half chance but didn't manage to get a shot away. Then, within one minute Malouda pulled the trigger on target which was saved for a corner. After the corner, Inter conceded a free kick, taken by Drogba who narrowly missed with his characteristic side foot free kick technique. This was a great spell of this tie, with Chelsea dominating the play as they did just prior to the half time break. Inter worked incredibly hard to stifle the Chelsea midfield and attack - a real gutsy display.
Inter's left footed star Pandev had a great run and shot from a top quality Wesley Sneijder pass but carried the ball a bit too far, allowing Zhirkov a chance to get a foot in.
Joe Cole came on in the 61st minute with Ballack substituted to alter the balance of the Chelsea midfield. favouring even more aggressive attacking action. At this point you could see how when Inter did break down the Chelsea possession that they could exploit space in Chelsea's defensive areas as they endeavoured to push on. Inter Milan did push on more in the second half, causing Chelsea problems down the flanks with Mikon and Pandev. Wesley Sneijder started to to boss the midfield play with some great passing and the possession battle started to tip towards the visitors.
Yuri Zhirkov was substituted for Salomon Kalou in the 72nd minute as Carlo started to feel the pressure of this great tie. Kalou had an instant impact, combining with Drogba and Anelka well to no end result but it applied the right level of pressure to give the home team added belief that they could capitalise one of the numerous chances that they were generating.
In the 77th minute Sneijder played a superb first time ball, releasing Mikon who was narrowly offside.
In the 78th minute Sneijder's tried again, this time with his left foot to put Eto'o in on goal. Cameroon international Eto'o drilled it into the bottom corner - Alex played the former Barcelona striker onside to put Inter Milan 3-1 up on aggregate. Inter deserved the goal, working hard in defence but also taking the game to Chelsea with some exciting pass and move football.
In the last ten minutes, Chelsea started to make their play extremely direct, desperate to stay in the Champions LEague.,
In the 85 minute, Mourinho substituted Sneijder for Mariga, making his Champions League debut. Wesley Sneijder for me was easily man of the match, giving a true number 10 midfield maestro play.
Confusingly, Didier Drogba was then sent off for tangling with Thiago Motta in the penalty box. There wasn't a definitive view on Sky Sports but I thought that it looked pretty harsh on Drogba.
Inter played 'keep ball' towards the end, completing a slick, classy away performance knocking out Mourinho's old club making it sting even more for Ancelotti's side.
Materazzi came on for Thiago Motta in the 91st minute, as the special one employed an old technigue of soaking up a few more unwanted moments of footballing action.
Eto'o could have had a second late on, Inter retained possession, frustrating Chelsea and securing
their place in the next Champions League round.
