Inter Milan 2-1 Chelsea

James · February 24, 2010

Esteban Cambiasso’s second-half winner gave José Mourinho’s Internazionale a precious first leg lead over previous club Chelsea.

Diego Milito had given the hosts the lead with just three minutes on the clock to give Inter a dream start, but Salomon Kalou curled home a superb equaliser to hand Chelsea a potentially precious away goal.

But Cambiasso’s superb goal gave Inter the narrowest of victory margins ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge in March – but Chelsea will be furious they were not awarded a blatant penalty when Kalou was bundled over in the box before half-time.

Much was made of the Mourinho-versus-Chelsea scenario, with the self-titled Special One playing his previous side for the first time in a competitive fixture.

But whilst Carlo Ancelotti’s side had won a pre-season friendly in America 2-0 thanks to goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard – two of Mourinho’s key men whilst in the Stamford Bridge hotseat – it is the Portuguese manager who sees his side handed the advantage.

But whilst the result is a disappointing one considering Chelsea’s dominance on the night, Kalou’s away goal may prove to be a massive discriminator in favour of the West London outfit – though Ancelotti will bemoan the loss of Petr Cech for a month after the Chelsea keeper sustained a calf injury late on.

Inter were quickest out of the starting blocks and it was no surprise that they took an early lead. Samuel Eto’o threaded the ball through to Milito, who took a touch beyond John Terry before hammering beyond Cech.

Didier Drogba then responded with a superb freekick that only the crossbar could prevent from going in; the Ivorian’s 25-yard effort cannoning back off the woodwork. The atmosphere inside the San Siro had soon died down and Chelsea were worming their way back into proceedings, but could have found themselves further behind but for Eto’o kicking fresh air when well placed in front of goal.

Kalou was then bundled over in the penalty area in what looked a stone-wall penalty – but the referee waved play on. Kalou, distraught at the decision, remonstrated with the referee along with captain John Terry but to no avail.

But Kalou made amends with a superb equaliser just five minutes into the second half after brilliant play by Branislav Ivanovic after the Serb had carried the ball from inside his own half to set up the Chelsea forward.

The team were level for only moments, however, as Chelsea found themselves 2-1 down thanks to Cambiasso’s scorcher from outside the area that found its way into the bottom corner.

Chelsea were unable to regain their composure after conceding parity so soon after achieving it, but continued to threaten to an extent that saw a second equaliser look a distinct possibility.

Inter were still willing to commit forward but make-shift left-back Florent Malouda was largely untroubled. But just as Chelsea looked to be recovering from the shock of Cambiasso’s strike so soon after pegging their opponents back, their efforts were hampered by an injury to Cech, who was stretchered off the field to be replaced by Hilario.

Drogba and Anelka combined late on to tee up Lampard to score but Julio Cesar was equal to the shot and made a fine save to ensure Inter will take a lead to Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea: Cech (Hilario); Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry ©, Malouda; Ballack, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Kalou (Sturridge); Drogba

Internazionale: Cesar; Maicon, Samuel, Lucio, Zanetti; Motta (Balotelli), Cambiasso, Stankovic (Muntari); Sneijder; Milito, Eto’o (Pandev).

The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea’s number 2 – Branislav Ivanovic