MILAN - Inter looked confused and out of sorts this evening in front of their fans, who witnessed another defeat - this time at the hands of a cynical Bologna side that took full advantage of the Nerazzurri's shortcomings. 0-3 was the final score at the Meazza, with the fans making their frustration felt. The matchwinners for the visitors were Di Vaio, with two goals in as many first-half minutes, Acquafresca, who put the tie to bed five minutes from the end, and Gillet, whose crucial saves on the few occasions the Nerazzurri managed to threaten were worth as much as goals.
FIRST HALF – Against Bologna Claudio Ranieri opted for Lucio and Ranocchia in central defence with Maicon and Nagatomo on the flanks, Zanetti and Cambiasso in front of the defence, and an attacking trio of Faraoni, Sneijder and Forlan behind lone striker Pazzini.
The first move of note came in the 6th minute as Maicon swung in a cross seeking Pazzini; Garics chested back to Gillet. Five minutes later Sneijder had a glimpse on goal and let fly, but it was too central and easy for the keeper. The Bologna No. 1 pulled off a massive if slightly fortunate one-footed save on 18 minutes, when Maicon planted a firm header in his direction from Sneijder's corner: a great opportunity for the Nerazzurri that went begging. Around the half-hour mark Julio Cesar was well placed to keep out a powerfully struck Diamanti free kick, while down the other end Maicon went close with another header. Soon afterwards Forlan managed to escape from Portanova and burst into the box; he got his shot away too but Gillet's legs denied him the chance for glory. The shotstopper still had another save in him – from Maicon again, in the 36th minute – before the visitors took the lead: Di Vaio received a pass from Perez, showed a cool head to avoid Nagatomo's challenge and slotted home with aplomb. Just a minute had passed and the striker made it two. A long ball aimed at Di Vaio was chested down by Ranocchia, the Nerazzurri defender inadvertently laying off for the Bologna player, who beat Julio Cesar with another good finish. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time a chance fell to Faraoni on the edge of the box but the youngster snatched at it and his shot flew wide. 0-2 at half time.
SECOND HALF – There were no changes during the interval but the Nerazzurri came out looking to get themselves back in the
game, Sneijder and Forlan trying their luck with little success in the
opening minutes. Di Vaio almost completed his hat-trick in the 51st
minute: his curling effort cleared the far post by a few inches.
Sneijder then attempted to play Pazzini in with a clever ball but the
striker wasn't on the same wavelength. A good piece of skill by
Nagatomo created a chance for Forlan after 59 minutes: the striker shot on
the spin but it was too weak and no problem for Gillet. Pazzini was flagged for
offside as he headed goalwards in the 64th minute and an
even better chance came five minutes later as Ranocchia rose to
connect with Sneijder's free kick; unfortunately Gillet was again on
hand to deny Inter. On 74 minutes Raggi deflected Maicon's
cross for Pazzini as Inter increased the pressure and tried everything
they could to make the breakthrough. The visiting keeper was soon called
into action again and showed great reflexes to keep out Lucio's
header. With five minutes of normal time remaining, Bologna got their
third goal: Acquafresca burst through the entire Nerazzurri defence
and slid his finish in beyond Julio Cesar. That knocked the stuffing
out of the Nerazzurri. After three minutes of
added time the match ended 0-3.
Inter 0-3 Bologna (HT: 0-2)
Scorers:
Di Vaio 37 and 38, Acquafresca 85.
Inter: 1
Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 23 Ranocchia, 55 Nagatomo; 4
Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso; 37 Faraoni (Castaignos 69), 10 Sneijder, 9
Forlan (Poli 61); 7 Pazzini;
Unused subs: 12
Castellazzi, 26 Chivu, 17 Palombo, 20 Obi, 28 Zarate;
Coach:
Claudio Ranieri.
Bologna: 1 Gillet; 84 Raggi,
90 Portanova, 5 Antonsson; 8 Garics, 15 Perez, 26 Mudingayi, 3
Morleo; 10 Ramirez (Kone 70), 23 Diamanti (Taider 57); 9 Di Vaio
(Acquafresca 76);
Unused subs: 25 Agliardi, 13
Pulzetti, 21 Cherubin, 48 Rubin.
Coach: Stefano
Pioli.
Referee: Antonio Damato (Barletta)
Booked: Diamanti 31, Sneijder 40.
Added time: 2+3 minutes.
Attendance: 20,043.
