Another Disappointing Night For Inter Milan

Pasadena (Source: AVID Soccer News)

Brittan Silva, AVID Soccer Staff Writer

The teams at the Rose Bowl were supported with over 80,000 fans in attendance. Internazionale was recovering from a 5-4 loss just two days ago to Mexico’s Club America. The EPLs Chelsea FC, the opposing side, began the challenge. The final score turned out in favor of Chelsea who played exceptionally well for a pre-season game. Inter Milan failed to find the back of the net despite Chelsea capitalizing twice leaving the scoreboard 2-0 after the ninety minutes.

Chelsea looked good from the kickoff showing a 4-4-2 line up with all of their big name players. Chelsea had a couple of looks at the goal in the first minutes of play including a header by John Terry.  Terry’s strike off a corner went just over the crossbar. 

In the 11th minute Chelsea’s midfielder Lampard laid the ball off to striker Drogba just outside the 18.  Drogba quickly cracked off a shot from 20 yards out that to slip by Inter’s Keeper Vid Belec for the first goal of the match.  Inter Milan struggled to make themselves dangerous in their attacks managing only two shots on target for the first half.  Chelsea kept up their attacks throughout the half and finished 1-0 after 45 minutes.

Goal scorer Didier Drogba did not return after the half allowing Sturridge to enter the pitch. Kalou, Carvalho and Malouda for Chelsea were also swapped for Deco, Alex and Anelka while Milito for Inter Milan was swapped for Obi.

The Italian champions applied immediate pressure after the whistle.  They create a couple of opportunities, but were unable to finish. In the 49th minute Sturridge took a shot from inside the 18 only to be blocked by Belec.  Recovering his own shot, Sturridge cracked off another that was handled by Defender Ivan Cordoba. Frank Lampard took the penalty kick and placed it in the bottom right corner of the goal putting Chelsea ahead 2-0.

The half continued with opportunities from both sides.  Neither team could capitalize further. Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti subbed throughout the half and ended with 9 substitutions. Inter also substituted players as well. Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on for Milan in the 58th minute and had as good of opportunities as any of his side. He had a handful of shots including a bicycle kick attempt, but wasn’t able to put them on target. On the other end Chelsea’s Hutchinson and Sturridge continued their attacks throughout the half. The stand-out for Inter Milan was defender Davide Santon who had a great game.  In the end, Chelsea’s excellent performance handed victory to the deserving side.

Chelsea’s performance did not look like a pre-season squad.  They played well enough to be halfway through the EPL season. Internazionale, on the other hand, seemed to struggle to find the flow they need for their up and coming season.