On The Continent: Inter Finally Beaten

Roberto Mancini

The team needed to win, this was the important thing and it doesn't matter how it was done, whether it was by playing well or badly. We're back on the winning track and it has enabled us to recover some self-esteem ahead of the matches against Roma and Espanyol

By Citizen Correspondent Sir Stephen

Date Posted: 03/03/08

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On The Continent, which will bring you all the news and stories from the top leagues in Europe. If you want to know what's happening over there or find out how your club's next UEFA Champions League opponents fared at the weekend, then this is the place for you... Inter are finally beaten as Sergio Aguero sinks Barcelona

INTER BEATEN AS ROMA CUT GAP
Inter Milan have relied on a few heavy doses of fortune in recent weeks, but their luck ran out at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday evening as they lost their first game of the season, going down 1-0 against Napoli. The Nerazurri were without the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Walter Samuel, Julio Cruz and Nicolas Burdisso and fell behind after just three minutes when Marcelo Zalayeta lobbed into an empty net after Inter stopper Julio Cesar weakly cleared the ball into his path.

Cesar atoned for his error in the second half by saving a Zalayeta penalty, but it wasn't enough to inspire an Inter comeback and they had to face up to their first defeat in 31 league games. Boss Roberto Mancini was frustrated but hopeful his side can bounce back after the match. "We are not going through an exceptional period of form at the moment, much of it due to the fact we lost so many players all at the same time," he said. "This defeat must not knock our confidence. We have a whole week to recuperate and prepare now. I was optimistic after the Roma game and I remain so."

Inter's lead is now down to six points following a commanding 4-0 victory for Roma at home to Parma. After conceding late on at Inter in mid-week, this was a challenge of Roma's mettle and they more than rose to it as they took the lead on 27 minutes through Alberto Aquilani. Giulio Falcone's own goal early in the second half made it two, before Francesco Totti blasted in the third ten minutes from the end.