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This Champions League midweek had some highs and some lows for the Italian sides in the tournament. And if you’re interested in awesome match reports and other Champions League news, be sure to visit my <a href="http:\/\/www.championsleaguetalk.com/real-madrid-grab-last-ghasp-goal-for-2-2-draw/857">latest article on Champions League Talk</a> regarding the midweek action!
Let’s start with the positives, Roma won 3-2 away from home against FC Basel! A great result for Ranieri’s side, led by Menez who played very well, and by Totti who scored from the penalty spot.
Menez got the first goal, a sly finish from the edge of the box, taking advantage of general distraction to give Roma the lead. Then Totti doubled from the penalty spot, with the keeper having almost reached the Roma captain’s spot-kick. After the two goal flurry by Roma, Frei pulled one back in the second half to give Basel some hope, but Greco crushed that when he scored Roma’s third in the 76th minute. Shaqiri pulled one back for FC Basel at the end of the match, but the result was in Roma’s hands.
Three important points which help Ranieri’s side rise up to second in the table with six points behind Bayern Munich which has a perfect record and twelve points. Roma will host Bayern at the Stadio Olimpico the next Champions League matchday, and I think that any giallorossi fans should be happy with a draw for that game.
The other two matches for Italian sides weren’t as positive as Roma’s. AC Milan at home drew 2-2 with Real Madrid, and Inter Milan suffered a 3-1 loss away against Tottenham.
AC Milan conceeded the first goal at the 45 minute mark when Higuain took advantage of ay disorga­nized Milan back line, to spin around and finish coolly past Abbiati. But&nbsp;in the second half, Allegri made a key substitution, bringing Inzaghi for Ronaldinho. Inzaghi went on to score two goals (of which one was offside by about a meter, and he was right next to the linesman), and surpass Gerd Muller’s all time goalscoring record for the Champions League/European Cup with the Italian’s 70th goal in the competition.
But Mourinho is a sly and lucky man, and in the 94th minute of the game, substitute Karim Benzema picked out another substitute Pedro Leon with a defence-splitting through pass, and Leon finished through Abbiati’s legs for a lucky equalizer. Most certainly heart-breaking for AC Milan fans, but epic for any fans of Jose Mourinho.
As for Inter Milan, the match was a sad tale for Benitez’s side, and it was Gareth Bale who was the hero of the night for Tottenham fans. Gareth Bale literally made Maicon seem like a 16 year-old who had just been introduced to professional football. Maicon was made a fool of dozens of times by Bale who provided two assists for his teammates in their 3-1 win. It’s strange that Benitez didn’t try any tactical changes to stop the player, even as he realized during the match that Bale was tearing Maicon to shreds.
While Tottenham played brilliant attacking football, Inter Milan was cautious, sluggish, and defensive. The goal was a moment of brilliance by an undertone Samuel Eto’o who despite his average performances, manages to score goals. Right now Inter Milan are second in the table due to goal-difference, with Tottenham first. Inter will need to pull out two wins at home against Twente, and away at Werder Bremen if they want to have any chance of winning the group, but even if they come second, Tottenham fully deserve first place.
What were your thoughts on the Champions League midweek for Italian clubs? Share your thoughts below!

Highs And Lows For Italian Sides In Champions League - World Soccer Talk

Highs And Lows For Italian Sides In Champions League

Inter Milan have won the Coppa Italia at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma in the final. While the 1-0 score-line might suggest a boring and defensive game, the match was full of excitement even after the 90 minutes.
The first few minutes of the match were characterized by Sneijder coming off injured after a heavy challenge from Nicolas Burdisso (on loan to Roma from Inter) and being replaced by Balotelli. After that Inter were always attacking, creating plenty of chances, and having a goal ruled invalid for a very close offside, Inter Milan eventually found the breakthrough. Diego Milito was released into the box and with three defenders on him he lashed a shot into the top left corner. The match was opened and full of action after the half with Juan missing an open goal, and other chances put to waste. Eventually in the 88th minute, the pressure was to much for Totti, and as Balotelli was cutting in towards the box, the Roma captain decided to kick the young Italian (with force) from behind. This resulted in Totti’s direct expulsion which he didn’t contest, Inter Milan finished the match off and claimed their 6th Coppa Italia in Roma’s stadium. Plenty of action happened after the match too, a fan ran onto the pitch and tried to attack Cambiasso, but was quickly stopped, and it was revealed that Balotelli had been provoking Totti during the match, causing the Roma captain to hoof the Inter Milan player.
With one down and two to go, it seems like Inter can really pull the treble off, all that’s missing is the scudetto and the Champions League. The title race is relatively straightforward for Inter Milan, as long as they win the remaining two matches then the title is theirs. The Champions League on the other hand is very different, Inter have to face a strong Bayern Munich team in Madrid, and although it will be difficult, it seems possible for Inter Milan to win the treble and make history.

Inter Milan win Coppa Italia to start treble run - World Soccer Talk

Inter Milan win Coppa Italia to start treble run

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Highs And Lows For Italian Sides In Champions League

AS Roma

Inter Milan win Coppa Italia to start treble run