Inter Milan came from a goal down to stage a sensational comeback at the San Siro, hammering Barcelona 3-1.
By Vincent Lai
Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring for the reigning European champions in their Champions League semi-final first leg, but the Nerazzurri fired back with goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito to take a two-goal advantage to the Nou Camp in eight days' time.
Inter Milan:
Julio Cesar: 8
The goal wasn't Cesar's fault as he tried to rotate to cover the angle, and the Brazilian did deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic the ball later in the first half as he was first to every cross in his area. Put in a few good saves in the second half, denying the likes of Messi and Pique down the stretch.
Maicon (off 73'): 7
Committed the cardinal sin as a fullback as he allowed his opposition number, Maxwell, to saunter into the box and square the ball for Pedro to score, but redeemed himself in the second half going forward as he slotted home Inter's second from a Milito lay-off.
Lucio: 7
Stood tall especially when Barcelona piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes of the game.
Walter Samuel: 7
Lucio's partner in crime was solid as well, and functioned well as a wall for Cesar.
Javier Zanetti: 7
The Tractor neutralised Pedro for most of the game, but was overworked having to mark both the winger and Dani Alves at the same time.
Thiago Motta: 6
Kept the ball moving and put in a few challenges to keep the Barcelona midfield honest.
Esteban Cambiasso: 6
Played with his trademark aggression and even got a few rare balls forward for his forwards.
Goran Pandev (off 56'): 5
Tried to make something happen in the final third of the pitch, but he was contained by the marking of Puyol.
Diego Milito (off 75'): 9
Inter's best option going forward as he carved out two chances for his side to score, squaring the ball with his back to the goal for Sneijder to score the first goal, and putting in the low cross in the penalty box for Maicon to tap in the second. Milito then scored the Nerazzuri's third as he was at the right place at the right time to nod home Sneijder's blunder in front of goal.
Wesley Sneijder: 8
His gaffe in front of goal notwithstanding, the Dutchman was the Nerazzuri's best set-piece taker, putting in threatening free-kicks and corners into the box. He even scored for Inter, latching onto Milito's pass to blast the ball low past a shocked Victor Valdes.
Samuel Eto'o: 6
Eto'o tried his best to make use of his pace and explosiveness, but he just wasn't getting the ball in the right places to be effective on Tuesday night.
Subs:
Dejan Stankovic (on 56'): 6
Came on for the ineffective Goran Pandev and gave Inter another option in the midfield. He wasn't exceptional, but he got the job done.
Cristian Chivu (on 73'): 6
Helped Jose Mourinho stabilise the defence as the Inter coach swapped attacking flair for defensive grit.
Mario Balotelli (on 75'): 6
On to stretch his legs, got a good shot on goal for his troubles.
Barcelona:
Victor Valdes: 4
The Spain no. 2 was left exposed by his defence in all three of Inter's goals, with Puyol and Pique mysteriously missing when Sneijder, Maicon and Milito found the back of the net. Still, Valdes could have stopped Maicon from scoring, and could have prevented many of the careless balls and corners Barca were giving away to the home side.
Dani Alves: 6
Plenty of pace and dribbling going forward. He just can't defend, that's all. Was nowhere to be found when Sneijder stole into the box for his goal.
Gerard Pique: 3
Went missing for the goals, and didn't play to his usual high standards.
Carles Puyol: 4
Barca's inspirational captain also went AWOL far too often in this game, but did keep on Goran Pandev quiet until the Macedonian was subbed off.
Maxwell: 6
Did well to take the ball all the way inside Inter's penalty area to set up Pedro's goal, but like many of the full-backs involved in this game, his defending left a lot to be desired.
Xavi Hernandes: 4
Pulled the strings well for La Blaugrana early in the game, but faded as Inter got a stranglehold of the game.
Sergio Busquets: 5
Wasn't his best game in Barca's colours as he was continually shoved and taken down by Inter's more physical midfielders.
Seydou Keita: 5
Tried to provide another option for Barca in attack but he was quickly closed down by Cambiasso.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (off 62'): 4
Was too passive upfront, and was even anonymous at one point in the second half.
Lionel Messi: 5
Tried to will his team to victory, but even the best have off-days too, as those shots that were finding the back of the net against Arsenal found Cesar's embrace in this game.
Pedro Rodriguez: 7
Got La Blaugrana off to a bright start as his measured finish got past Cesar into the back of the net. Faded as the game wore on as Barcelona's possession decreased in the second half.
Subs:
Eric Abidal (on 62'): 5
A strange substitution when Barcelona needed more firepower upfront, and Abidal did not improve the defence one bit as Inter kept on counter-attacking.
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