MILAN - Inter believed and gave it everything right until the end of 90 minutes - where they led 3-0 - and extra time, where it eventually finished 4-1. The Nerazzurri were brilliant but it wasn't quite enough. In any case it was a remarkable display of character.
The Nerazzurri took the lead after 20 minutes: Palacio's cross found an unmarked Cassano at the back post and his header into the ground bounced past Friedel and into the roof of the net. Palacio doubled Inter's lead after the break following a wonderful assist from Cambiasso. Belief spread around the San Siro. With a quarter of an hour to play Gallas deflected Cassano's free-kick past Friedel and the comeback was complete. Inter then went all out for a winner and were helped by the excellent Handanovic. In added time Cambiasso was inches away from a fourth which would have sent the Nerazzurri through to the quarter finals.
The match went into extra time and Spurs broke Inter hearts on 97 minutes. Adebayor was the quickest to react after Handanovic couldn't hold Dembélé's powerful strike and poked into the empty net. The hosts didn't give up however, in spite of their heavy legs: Palacio and Cassano both had numerous efforts. Substitute Ricky Alvarez set up a nervy finish with Inter's fourth on 110 minutes. The Nerazzurri threw more men forward than ever before but to no avail. It finished 4-1 on the night, 4-4 on aggregate, with the home side bowing out on the away goals rule. Inter deserved it but Spurs move into the quarter finals.
Inter 4-1 Tottenham aet (HT: 1-0; FT: 3-0)
Scorers: Cassano 20, Palacio 52, Gallas (og) 75, Adebayor 97, Alvarez 110.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 42 Jonathan (Ranocchia 108), 26 Chivu, 40 Juan Jesus, 4 Zanetti; 21 Gargano, 29 Kovacic (Benassi 79), 19 Cambiasso; 14 Guarin (Alvarez 71), 8 Palacio, 99 Cassano.
Subs not used: 27 Belec, 24 Benassi, 28 Pasa, 47 Colombi, 60 Belloni.
Coach: Andrea Stramacccioni.
Tottenham: 24 Friedel; 28 Walker, 13 Gallas, 5 Vertonghen, 16 Naughton (Caulker 104); 22 Sigurdsson, 19 Dembélé, 29 Livermore (Lennon 70), 8 Parker; 18 Defoe (Holtby 56), 10 Adebayor.
Subs not used: 25 Lloris, 6 Huddlestone, 32 Assou-Ekotto, 46 Carroll.
Coach: André Villas-Boas.
Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO).
Booked: Livermore 14, Friedel 44, Walker 78, Holtby 79, Juan Jesus 114, Adebayor 114.
Added time: 2+3+2+2 minutes.
Attendance: 18,241.
