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Gareth Bale blowing past Inter's defence to beat Samuel and Julio Cesar
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What a game.
Arguably the most anticipated match of the night, Tottenham Hotspur's trip to the San Siro against the defending champions was always going to be a tough game. Rafa Benitez's men, who have had a reasonable start to the season, sitting in third behind fearsome rivals Lazio and A.C. Milan in first and second respectively, knew that a win against Champions League debutants Tottenham Hotspur would leapfrog them ahead of the corresponding pack and put them in a strong pole-position to qualify for the last sixteen of the tournament.
Obviously, Spurs fans were going to be hopeful. A draw, or even a win against the defending champions on their own turf would give them a huge boost in the return match two weeks from the clash at White Hart Lane and top the table, whilst hoping that German counterparts, Werder Bremen, traveled to Grolsch Veste - the home of the reigning Eredivise champions, F.C. Twente.
Formations:
Inter Milan:
Despite the reign of the Special One at Neurazzuri long-gone and into the history books at the Italian club, Rafa Benitez has seemed to of taken the initiative in reviving the Portuguese's tactics and re-instating the 4-2-3-1 with his current crop. Few dissimilarities can be said about this formation from Mourinho's and, with it, has looked to have done a number of things.
With Diego Milito injured, it was once again time for Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o to spearhead the frontline as a lone-striker, as Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder plays just behind. Young wingers in Coutinho and Jonathan Biabiany took the places of Eto'o and Pandev, gaining experience on the continental stage with this match.
Shielding the back four were Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic and veteraned skipper Javeir Zanetti. Looking to become a counter-attackive side, Zanetti's role ahead of the defence allowed him to play anchor, but also roam a bit more freely in his own half, whilst his team were on the attack. Stankovic on the other hand was given the licence to drive forward when needed, and linking up play with the attacking midfield-three in Coutinho, Sneijder and Biabiany.
Defence-wise, Benitez went for the aged look. Experienced South American centre halves in Samuel and Lucio partnered together to form a tight centre, whilst Brazilian fullback Maicon was to play behind French international Biabiany, overlapping the U21 international when needed. At left-back, it was Christian Chivu to step up, as the Romanian defender was hoping to be the man to make it a nightmare night for the likes of Aaron Lennon and Alan Hutton. Julio Cesar was in goal.
Tottenham Hotspur:
It was thought that, prior to this match, the absence of Rafael van der Vaart from the side would be a big blow to the Londoners, following his sending off in the game against F.C. Twente last time out. The Dutch playmaker, who has been integral to the plans of Harry Redknapp and his hunt to qualify for Europe once more, would have to appear in the home tie against the Italians, whilst Luka Modric took to centre-stage, leading the three-man midfield.
Gareth Bale's start down the left-hand side and not in his usual left-back position granted him the chance to roam forward and take the ball on, without many defensive responsibilities. Cameroonian fullback Benoit Assou-Ekotto was to play behind him, whilst Aaron Lennon starred down the opposite wing. Hutton behind, too.
Jermaine Jenas' surprise pick ahead of Wilson Palacios and Sandro to partner England international Tom Huddlestone in midfield was another decision that bewildered some Spurs' fans. Jenas', who was beginning to be thought of being out-of-favour at White Hart Lane, was given the chance to show his talent in one of his biggest tests so far, but also with the license to roam forward and join the attacking pack - much like Stankovic.
Gallas deputised in defence with fellow African defender Sebastian Bassong in the places of the usual King-Dawson duo at centre back. Gallas' move not too far away from his now-former club Arsenal gained a mix response from the Lilywhite faithful but has shown in recent times his determination to do well for his new club and return to the form he was once praised for.
Hutton and Asso-Ekotto's preferred attacking stance was never shadowed in the game, as both fullbacks ventured past the halfway line to overlap Bale and Lennon down the left and right hand sides respectively, as both the Wales and England internationals cut inside. Gomes to deputise in goal.
Inter dominance:
I think I can speak for most, if not all who were watching this match, apart from the Spurs fans of course, that when Inter Milan bagged three through Stankovic, Eto'o and Zanetti inside the first 15-20 minutes, it looked all over. The sending off of shot-stopper Gomes prior to first ten minutes of the match, stripping Spurs down to ten men, looked like it was time to press the panic button.
The sacrifice of Luka Modric to push Crouch further forward into the abyss of Inter's half as a lone target man in a now-modified 4-4-1, grew a larger disconcern over those who were watching about about the fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur. Eto'o, who converted from twelve-yards out, make it two goals to the good, following Zanetti's unexpected second-minute goal, showed his true scoring prowess, adding to his goal tally this season.
Fast-forwarding into the last 15 minutes of the first-half, it looked like it was surely time to put the kettle on. A short pass from Zanetti to lead youngster Coutinho onto the ball and manage a through-pass into Eto'o, only for him to marginally stay onside (not only that, but a bit of Lady Luck on his shoulders, too) and beat Cudicini sent the Inter fans into raptures. 4-0. 35 minutes in. Not even half time.
Tottenham resurgence:
'Arry must've gone off when it was time to rally his troops. A very poor and disheartening first-half performance from the Londoners was just about the right time to kickstart a fightback from the English outfit, leading onto a good chance for Welshman Gareth Bale to instigate a possible upset for Neurazzuri.
Several minutes into the second half, it was to be the 21-year-old to show his worth. A sparkling run from just about inside his own half and deep into Inter's territory sparked a lack of concentration from the defence of Inter and worryingly pegging back four black-and-blue shirts into their own penalty area, only for Bale to convert a stunning run into a stunning finish. Slotting it into the bottom left-hand corner and past Julio Cesar, it was to ignite the fire. 4-1. There was still time left.
As the game wore on and the Italian stronghold in Inter Milan started to look all the more tiresome, changes in personnel with young fullback Davide Santon and experienced defender Ivan Cordoba making their way onto the pitch, it was still not going to hold back Spurs from targeting a shocking result.
Coming into the final minutes of the game, Bale tried again with a pacey run down the left flank and trigger Inter's defence. Stopped by Argentine centre half Walter Samuel, it was Jermaine Jenas who latched onto a return pass into the line of the Spurs fullback, and once again leaving them trailing. A determined figure in captain Javier Zanetti tried all he could to prevent the goal going in but, it was not to be. Coming just inside the Neurazzuri half, Bale took on the chance with a thunderous low-shot into the same corner - with the same result. Very similar to the first but still a great goal nevertheless. 4-2 now. Looking possible now? You bet.
Accolades showered on Bale by, not only his fellow team-mates and manager, but also by the fans in and out of the stadium and those watching at home. It wasn't thought to of been but, Bale defied the odds and beat one of the world's best goalkeepers for a second time.
Aaron Lennon was to go on a darting run, cutting inside from his own flank and trouble both Samuel and Lucio, but instead picked out a pass in the free Gareth Bale and to convert for the third time. Unbelievable. I myself was stunned when I had seen that Bale had scored a hat-trick against the reigning champions and, to be, honest, was on the edge of my seat to urge on a fourth by the Welsh fullback. Courted by the likes of Manchester United and now Man City, he was starting to become a dangerous figure in one's half.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. The game ended 4-3 to the home side and to be a lucky escape for both sides in truth. Inter crushed Spurs in the first half with four goals and putting them down to ten men after a rash challenge by Gomes led one to believe that it could of easily been 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 ...
But, nevertheless, it was Gareth Bale and his determination to come back and not lie down for the champions in Italy that inspired what looked to of been a dead-and-buried game for Spurs into an enthrauling match-up between the two and spark a much more momentous return game at White Hart Lane.
Makes you wish sometimes that Bale was English ...
Arguably the most anticipated match of the night, Tottenham Hotspur's trip to the San Siro against the defending champions was always going to be a tough game. Rafa Benitez's men, who have had a reasonable start to the season, sitting in third behind fearsome rivals Lazio and A.C. Milan in first and second respectively, knew that a win against Champions League debutants Tottenham Hotspur would leapfrog them ahead of the corresponding pack and put them in a strong pole-position to qualify for the last sixteen of the tournament.
Obviously, Spurs fans were going to be hopeful. A draw, or even a win against the defending champions on their own turf would give them a huge boost in the return match two weeks from the clash at White Hart Lane and top the table, whilst hoping that German counterparts, Werder Bremen, traveled to Grolsch Veste - the home of the reigning Eredivise champions, F.C. Twente.
Formations:
Inter Milan:
Despite the reign of the Special One at Neurazzuri long-gone and into the history books at the Italian club, Rafa Benitez has seemed to of taken the initiative in reviving the Portuguese's tactics and re-instating the 4-2-3-1 with his current crop. Few dissimilarities can be said about this formation from Mourinho's and, with it, has looked to have done a number of things.
With Diego Milito injured, it was once again time for Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o to spearhead the frontline as a lone-striker, as Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder plays just behind. Young wingers in Coutinho and Jonathan Biabiany took the places of Eto'o and Pandev, gaining experience on the continental stage with this match.
Shielding the back four were Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic and veteraned skipper Javeir Zanetti. Looking to become a counter-attackive side, Zanetti's role ahead of the defence allowed him to play anchor, but also roam a bit more freely in his own half, whilst his team were on the attack. Stankovic on the other hand was given the licence to drive forward when needed, and linking up play with the attacking midfield-three in Coutinho, Sneijder and Biabiany.
Defence-wise, Benitez went for the aged look. Experienced South American centre halves in Samuel and Lucio partnered together to form a tight centre, whilst Brazilian fullback Maicon was to play behind French international Biabiany, overlapping the U21 international when needed. At left-back, it was Christian Chivu to step up, as the Romanian defender was hoping to be the man to make it a nightmare night for the likes of Aaron Lennon and Alan Hutton. Julio Cesar was in goal.
Tottenham Hotspur:
It was thought that, prior to this match, the absence of Rafael van der Vaart from the side would be a big blow to the Londoners, following his sending off in the game against F.C. Twente last time out. The Dutch playmaker, who has been integral to the plans of Harry Redknapp and his hunt to qualify for Europe once more, would have to appear in the home tie against the Italians, whilst Luka Modric took to centre-stage, leading the three-man midfield.
Gareth Bale's start down the left-hand side and not in his usual left-back position granted him the chance to roam forward and take the ball on, without many defensive responsibilities. Cameroonian fullback Benoit Assou-Ekotto was to play behind him, whilst Aaron Lennon starred down the opposite wing. Hutton behind, too.
Jermaine Jenas' surprise pick ahead of Wilson Palacios and Sandro to partner England international Tom Huddlestone in midfield was another decision that bewildered some Spurs' fans. Jenas', who was beginning to be thought of being out-of-favour at White Hart Lane, was given the chance to show his talent in one of his biggest tests so far, but also with the license to roam forward and join the attacking pack - much like Stankovic.
Gallas deputised in defence with fellow African defender Sebastian Bassong in the places of the usual King-Dawson duo at centre back. Gallas' move not too far away from his now-former club Arsenal gained a mix response from the Lilywhite faithful but has shown in recent times his determination to do well for his new club and return to the form he was once praised for.
Hutton and Asso-Ekotto's preferred attacking stance was never shadowed in the game, as both fullbacks ventured past the halfway line to overlap Bale and Lennon down the left and right hand sides respectively, as both the Wales and England internationals cut inside. Gomes to deputise in goal.
Inter dominance:
I think I can speak for most, if not all who were watching this match, apart from the Spurs fans of course, that when Inter Milan bagged three through Stankovic, Eto'o and Zanetti inside the first 15-20 minutes, it looked all over. The sending off of shot-stopper Gomes prior to first ten minutes of the match, stripping Spurs down to ten men, looked like it was time to press the panic button.
The sacrifice of Luka Modric to push Crouch further forward into the abyss of Inter's half as a lone target man in a now-modified 4-4-1, grew a larger disconcern over those who were watching about about the fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur. Eto'o, who converted from twelve-yards out, make it two goals to the good, following Zanetti's unexpected second-minute goal, showed his true scoring prowess, adding to his goal tally this season.
Fast-forwarding into the last 15 minutes of the first-half, it looked like it was surely time to put the kettle on. A short pass from Zanetti to lead youngster Coutinho onto the ball and manage a through-pass into Eto'o, only for him to marginally stay onside (not only that, but a bit of Lady Luck on his shoulders, too) and beat Cudicini sent the Inter fans into raptures. 4-0. 35 minutes in. Not even half time.
Tottenham resurgence:
'Arry must've gone off when it was time to rally his troops. A very poor and disheartening first-half performance from the Londoners was just about the right time to kickstart a fightback from the English outfit, leading onto a good chance for Welshman Gareth Bale to instigate a possible upset for Neurazzuri.
Several minutes into the second half, it was to be the 21-year-old to show his worth. A sparkling run from just about inside his own half and deep into Inter's territory sparked a lack of concentration from the defence of Inter and worryingly pegging back four black-and-blue shirts into their own penalty area, only for Bale to convert a stunning run into a stunning finish. Slotting it into the bottom left-hand corner and past Julio Cesar, it was to ignite the fire. 4-1. There was still time left.
As the game wore on and the Italian stronghold in Inter Milan started to look all the more tiresome, changes in personnel with young fullback Davide Santon and experienced defender Ivan Cordoba making their way onto the pitch, it was still not going to hold back Spurs from targeting a shocking result.
Coming into the final minutes of the game, Bale tried again with a pacey run down the left flank and trigger Inter's defence. Stopped by Argentine centre half Walter Samuel, it was Jermaine Jenas who latched onto a return pass into the line of the Spurs fullback, and once again leaving them trailing. A determined figure in captain Javier Zanetti tried all he could to prevent the goal going in but, it was not to be. Coming just inside the Neurazzuri half, Bale took on the chance with a thunderous low-shot into the same corner - with the same result. Very similar to the first but still a great goal nevertheless. 4-2 now. Looking possible now? You bet.
Accolades showered on Bale by, not only his fellow team-mates and manager, but also by the fans in and out of the stadium and those watching at home. It wasn't thought to of been but, Bale defied the odds and beat one of the world's best goalkeepers for a second time.
Aaron Lennon was to go on a darting run, cutting inside from his own flank and trouble both Samuel and Lucio, but instead picked out a pass in the free Gareth Bale and to convert for the third time. Unbelievable. I myself was stunned when I had seen that Bale had scored a hat-trick against the reigning champions and, to be, honest, was on the edge of my seat to urge on a fourth by the Welsh fullback. Courted by the likes of Manchester United and now Man City, he was starting to become a dangerous figure in one's half.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. The game ended 4-3 to the home side and to be a lucky escape for both sides in truth. Inter crushed Spurs in the first half with four goals and putting them down to ten men after a rash challenge by Gomes led one to believe that it could of easily been 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 ...
But, nevertheless, it was Gareth Bale and his determination to come back and not lie down for the champions in Italy that inspired what looked to of been a dead-and-buried game for Spurs into an enthrauling match-up between the two and spark a much more momentous return game at White Hart Lane.
Makes you wish sometimes that Bale was English ...
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