Brescia 1 (39' (2h) Caracciolo) v Inter 1 (18' Eto'o)
Serie A / Fri Mar 11 2011 20:45 / "M. Rigamonti" - Brescia
referee: Gianluca Rocchi / assistant refs: Bianchi Iannello / 4th official: Pierpaoli
Brescia 1-1 Inter: Eto'o dedicates goal to Japan
Friday, 11 March 2011 23:25:49
BRESCIA – The spoils were shared in this evening's Serie A 2010/11 Week 29 fixture between Brescia and Inter, which finished 1-1.
There were mixed emotions before kick-off, as the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification were contrasted by the black armbands worn by both sides in a gesture of solidarity towards the Japanese people caught up in the aftermath of today's tragedy in Japan. And there were plenty of emotions during the game too: after giving Inter the lead in the 18th minute, Eto'o ran over to his team-mate Nagatomo to dedicate the goal to him and his homeland; Sneijder struck the post; Arcari repeatedly denied Inter (Pandev in particular); and in a grand finale Julio Cesar saved a 90th minute penalty from Caracciolo, minutes after the striker had headed the home side level.
FIRST HALF – Leonardo decided to reward Pandev for his recent performances with a starting berth, meaning Kharja dropped to the bench, and the Macedonian took his place on the right of an attacked-minded trio that included Sneijder and Eto'o behind Pazzini, who has never scored against Brescia. The Italian striker was no doubt hoping to impress national coach Cesare Prandelli, whom the TV cameras focused on in the crowd as the national anthem rang around the stadium before kick-off. Hatemaj's 5th-minute volley – which ended high - was Brescia's first demonstration of attacking intent. That was quickly followed by a short corner and Zebina's double effort, which forced Pazzini to put behind for another corner. The home side came forward again on 9 minutes: first Caracciolo's header was caught confidently by Julio Cesar and then Diamanti fired a shot just wide. Inter's immediate reply came in the form of a powerful, but off-target, effort from Sneijder.
Three minutes later Nagatomo embarked on a determined foray forward, taking on Zambelli and Zebina before trying to beat Arcari at his near post, but the Brescia keeper pushed his shot round the post. Inter continued to grow in stature and took a deserved lead after 18 minutes: Sneijder's corner was nodded goalwards by Ranocchia and Eto'o stabbed home from close range to make it 31 goals for the season. The Cameroonian then ran over to Japanese team-mate Nagatomo and dedicated the goal to him. Caracciolo almost pulled Brescia level on 35 minutes, after he picked up Konè's ball and tried to lob Julio Cesar; but his effort sailed over the bar. In the 42nd minute, Zebina made a crucial intervention when Pandev was through on goal. That was the last chance of the half, which drew to a close after a minute's added time with the Nerazzurri in the lead by a goal to nothing.
SECOND HALF – Brescia started the second half on the attack and with Caracciolo seemingly determined to get his side back in the game: a minute into the half he headed over; then in the 50th minute he muscled his way towards goal, getting the better of Ranocchia, before poking a shot towards Julio Cesar's near post from close range, which fortunately the Brazilian was alert to. Five minutes later Sneijder was unlucky when a curler from long range came back off the post and Konè's shot after being blown for offside was punished with a yellow. Arcari came to Brescia's rescue on 63 minutes when he denied Pandev, who had shown great class to control Pazzini's ball. Pazzo made way for Kharja after 70 minutes and a minute later Sneijder was again frustrated, as Arcari blocked his firm drive from a central position.
In the 77th minute Brescia claimed a penalty for a handball by Nagatomo, but the Japanese full-back was holding his arm to his body and he was very close when Konè played his cross. On 80 minutes Pandev again found himself one-on-one with the Brescia keeper, who closed the angle and and managed to keep out the Macedonian's attempted chip. With six minutes remaining the home side found a leveller: from Diamanti's corner, Cordoba headed back towards his own goal and the big striker directed it into he back of Inter's net. If anyone thought Brescia might be happy with a point, they were wrong: in the 89th minute Eder was bearing down on goal when Cordoba's body got caught up with his opponent's just inside the box, and Rocchi decreed a red card and a penalty. Julio Cesar's fantastic save from Caracciolo's spot-kick left the big striker staring in disbelief but his evening got worse in the final seconds of added time, when he was sent off after collecting a second yellow (for an unnecessary tug on Sneijder).
Brescia v Inter thus ended 1-1. The Nerazzurri now sit second in the table on 57 points.
Brescia 1-1 Inter
Scorers: 18 Eto'o, 84 Caracciolo
Brescia: 1 Arcari; 5 Zebina, 6 Bega, 2 Zoboli; 15 Zambelli (61, 7 Eder), 33 Koné, 8 Vass (83, 36 Lanzafame), 56 Hetemaj, 28 Berardi (25, 3 Daprelà); 32 Diamanti, 9 Caracciolo.
Unused subs: 22 Sereni, 16 Mareco, 17 Baiocco, 18 Possanzini.
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini
Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio (65, 2 Cordoba), 15 Ranocchia, 55 Nagatomo (78, 23 Materazzi); 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic; 27 Pandev, 10 Sneijder, 9 Eto'o; 7 Pazzini (70, 14 Kharja).
Unused subs: 12 Castellazzi, 17 Mariga, 20 Obi, 29 Coutinho.
Coach: Leonardo
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Florence)
Booked: 27 Daprelà, 39 Zebina, 43 and 90+4 Caracciolo, 52 Maicon, 55 Konè, 83 Hetemaj
Sent off: 89 Cordoba, 90+4 Caracciolo
Added time: 1 + 4 minutes
Credit: F.C. Internazionale Milano (www.inter.it)
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