Inter Milan continued their revival under Claudio Ranieri as they mustered a narrow 3-2 victory over CSKA Moscow.
Zarate wonder-strike kick-starts Nerazzurri's European campaign
Inter Milan continued their revival under Claudio Ranieri as they mustered a narrow 3-2 victory over CSKA Moscow in their UEFA Champions League Group B game in Russia on Tuesday.
Lucio gave the Italian giants the lead after just six minutes when he struck home from close range, and midway through the first half Giampaolo Pazzini increased their advantage after turning in Yuto Nagatomo's cross from the right.
CSKA halved the deficit on the stroke of half time as Alan Dzagoev scored a brilliant free-kick and restored parity through a fiercely taken Vagner Love shot on 77 minutes.
However, seconds later Mauro Zarate blasted the ball into the CSKA net and Inter held on for their first points in Europe's premier club competition this campaign.
The victory was the 2010 European champions' second in a row under Ranieri following their 3-1 defeat of Bologna in Serie A at the weekend, and saw them bounce back from a shock 1-0 reverse to Trabzonspor at home on Matchday One.
Stunned
After Pazzini and the home side's Eugeni Aldonin had tried their luck from distance without success in the early stages, Lucio stunned the home crowd when he opened the scoring from close range.
Diego Milito had an effort saved by goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov in the 13th minute - but 10 minutes later Inter did have their second goal when Pazzini tapped in Yuto Nagatomo's cross from the right.
The home side sought a way back into the game and after half an hour Inter custodian Julio Cesar tipped a Dzagoev effort from 18 yards over the bar.
Ricardo Alvarez had a shot blocked by Vasili Berezutsky in the 34th minute, with Javier Zanetti shooting over soon after, before the lively Dzagoev tried an overhead kick at the other end - but the effort flew over the bar.
After Pazzini had shot wide in the 39th minute, Vagner Love was off target for the home side from long range.
Powerful
However, CSKA got the goal they needed three minutes into first half injury-time. Walter Samuel fouled Sekou Oliseh and Dzagoev's curling free-kick found a way over the wall and past Cesar from 20 yards.
Zarate, who replaced Pazzini four minutes after the restart, saw a 56th minute shot tipped around the post by Gabulov, but should have done better six minutes later when he shot low and weakly at the keeper.
CSKA, who came back from 2-0 down to draw in Lille on Matchday One, were level in the 77th minute through Vagner Love, who powered into the area and beat Cesar with a powerful low shot.
However, Zarate won it two minutes later when he chested down Esteban Cambiasso's ball and found the bottom corner of the net with a low shot from just inside the penalty area which gave Gabulov no chance.
| CSKA Moscow |
Team Statistics |
Internazionale |
| 2 |
Goals |
3 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
9 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 7 |
Corners |
6 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
7 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 84.7 |
Passing Success |
75.9 |
| 10 |
Tackles |
31 |
| 90 |
Tackles Success |
80.6 |
| 61.9 |
Possession |
38.1 |
| 60.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
39.1 |
|
