<p style="text-align: left">During the winter break Serie A fans got to contemplate many things. How will Cassano do at AC Milan? What new signings will we see in the January transfer window? And how will Leonardo do at Inter Milan? The last question seems to be a little clearer after Leonardo made his debut on Inter Milan’s bench in their 3-1 win against Napoli.</p>
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3463 aligncenter" src="/files/2011/01/leo-high.jpg" alt="" width="402" height="210"></figure></div>
<p>It was a big test for Leonardo, having to face Napoli in his first match. The pressure of the San Siro weighed upon the new coach, the fans unhappy with the previous reign under Rafa Benitez. Yet Leonardo put out an organized and inspired side which scored just minutes into the match. A quick give-and-go between Thiago Motta and Stankovic, with the former spanking the ball diagonally into the bottom corner.</p>
<p>The San Siro went wild as did the players, celebrating after their good start to 2011. Yet Napoli’s response was quick, just minutes later Cavani had a goal disallowed because of an offside in the build-up, and then Napoli managed to score the equalizer. Pazienza snuck behind a distracted Inter defence on a corner, and he headed past a fumbling Castellazzi to make it 1-1.</p>
<p>But this Inter side is different from Benitez’s depressed group of injured players, Leonardo has truly inspired them. Cambiasso pops up with an&nbsp;opportune&nbsp;header in the 37th minute, putting Inter Milan in front. It was Maicon’s cross which was placed expertly on the Argentine’s head, and the Brazilian fullback had a strong game with the right wing his territory.</p>
<p>In the second half there was more of the same, with Inter not allowing Napoli breathing space. Ten minutes into the second half Thiago Motta bests himself with another beautiful goal. A pinpoint header from a corner, the ball perfectly thumped into the top corner for the final goal of the match. Inter held onto the match for their first three points of 2011.</p>
<p>While Inter Milan played well, Napoli allowed Leonardo’s side freedom in the midfield. Mazzari wasn’t happy on the sideline, and he was often found yelling at inanimate objects and colleagues. It’s an important win for Inter, and although they’re still 13 points from AC Milan at the top of the table, they have two games in hand to make up against Cesena and Fiorentina.</p>
<p>Is this a complete revival for Inter Milan? Will Leonardo be able to continue succeeding? Share your comments below!</p>


Leonardo Revives Inter With First Win

Leonardo Revives Inter With First Win - World Soccer Talk

<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/milan-supporters-cheer/image/10205099?term=AC+Milan" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright" style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10205099/milan-supporters-cheer/milan-supporters-cheer.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=10205099" border="0" alt="AC Milan&apos;s supporters cheer their team during their Italian Serie A soccer derby match against inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 14, 2010. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)" width="300" height="211"></figure></div></a></div>
<p>The Serie A had some fantastic matches played this weekend, and probably the one that most people watched was the Milan derby. The match finished with AC Milan winning thanks to a lone goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scored from the penalty spot. The match was interesting, and while it might not have had too much goalmouth action, I certainly found it entertaining. Here’s what happened at the San Siro.</p>
<p>The match began full of intensity and support from both sets of fans, but things changed drastically after just five minutes. A good run from Ibrahimovic was spotted by Seedorf who picks him out, the Swede runs towards his former team’s goal, but was brought down by Materazzi in the box. An obvious penalty for AC Milan, and while things were looking bad for Materazzi in his first appearance this season, things were looking great for Ibrahimovic who had the perfect chance to score against his former side.</p>
<p>The Swede stepped up and sent Castellazzi the wrong way with a wonderfully taken penalty. Just five minutes in, Rafa Benitez’s side was losing. Things went downhill for Inter, they were literally unable to create anything. It was scary seeing a side which was so powerful last season, have difficulty stringing three passes together in this match.&nbsp;The main problem with Inter Milan was the lack of movement from the forwards, Milito was a statue up front, and Eto’o was isolated on the left wing, trying to dribble too many times.</p>
<p>AC Milan on the other hand didn’t fully take advantage of Benitez’s shell-shocked side, while they created opportunities with quick counter-attacks, they should’ve scored another goal.  The match took a turning point in the 36th minute, when Rafa Benitez was forced to take off Obi because the Nigerian had hurt himself. While at first it seemed like Cambiasso was going to go on, it was Coutinho who replaced Obi, injecting pace, intensity, and a direct approach which lit up the match. Inter began to create more, but they still weren’t getting any shots on target, and then went into halftime losing by a goal.</p>
<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/milan-ibrahimovic-jumps/image/10205092?term=AC+Milan" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10205092/milan-ibrahimovic-jumps/milan-ibrahimovic-jumps.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=10205092" border="0" alt="AC Milan&apos;s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) jumps for the ball against Inter Milan&apos;s Lucio and Dejan Stankovic (R) during their Italian Serie A soccer derby match at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 14, 2010. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (ITALY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY)" width="216" height="300"></figure></div></a></div>
<p>The second half was more exciting, Allegri took off Gattuso who had risked getting a red card in the first half, and replaced him with Pirlo. Benitez also decided to make a change, taking off Milito and putting on Pandev, in hope of another injection of pace, invention, and flair like Coutinho had done in the first half.</p>
<p>The only thing that Pandev achieved for Inter in the second half was starting up a bit of a pushing fight with Abate. Abate already had a yellow card, and when he kicked the back (he was going for the ball) of Pandev’s foot, the Macedonian turned around right away, and pushed Abate to the ground. Abate got up right away, and decided to push Pandev back, and it was then that Tagliavento noticed the fight, and he ran over and booked both players with a yellow. It was Abate’s second, and he was sent off.</p>
<p>But still, AC Milan showed that they weren’t second-best, defending well against a mediocre Inter team. The rossoneri held on well, and after losing four consecutive derbies to Inter, they finally won. A very interesting match which puts AC Milan top of the table, leading Inter by six points now. It’s evident that Rafa Benitez and Inter Milan are in crisis, the question is, can the Spaniard lead them out of it? What are your thoughts to what happened at the San Siro? Share your thoughts by commenting below!</p>


Milan Top Of Table After Derby Win

Milan Top Of Table After Derby Win - World Soccer Talk

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Leonardo Revives Inter With First Win

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Milan Top Of Table After Derby Win