Inter exit Athens with 2-0 win

Italian Champions Inter Milan dented the hopes of a positive start to the group stages for Panathinaikos, with a 2-0 win at the Olympic Stadium in Athens tonight. Scoring in each half, Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge of Inter in Europe proved to be a memorable one for the Nerrazurri. As for the Tryfilli, the Henk Ten Cate will return to the drawing boards after a sloppy performance at home.

With both sides having difficulty in the opening fixtures of their respective domestic campaign, the two sides taking to the OAKA pitch on Tuesday looked to the Champions League for confidence. Panathinaikos, underdogs heading into the game, looked to prove their critics wrong and send a shock through Europe. Inter Milan looked to the game as a chance to silence critics of their own, and stave off the pressure settling in at the San Siro.

Both teams started off slowly, as Ibrahimovic thirteenth minute effort – which trickled wide — was the lone effort of the first fifteen minutes. The missed opportunity seemed to spark the visitors who began to increase their attacking presence. Ricardo Quaresma drilled a shot towards the far corner, but an alert Mario Galinovic pushed the shot wide. Next was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Sweden international was kept off the score sheet with his attempt punched away. However, Galinovic’s efforts went to waste thanks to sloppy defending from Ioannis Goumas and Mikael Nilsson. A sly Ibrahimovic was at the center of attack again, but after beating both of Panathinaikos stretched defenders, Ibrahimovic sent the ball to the path of a late Mancini who easily placed the ball passed a stranded Galinovic.

Somewhat deflated by the Inter breakthrough, Panathinaikos looked to respond with a goal of their own and the culprit was not one to be expected. Bryce Moon began a series of three efforts that left Inter reeling. A second try from the South African was not as spectacular, but Inter keeper, Julio Cesar, was forced to collect the low shot. After Moon’s first shot was pushed over the bar, his third came much closer; a deflection off Marco Materazzi saw the ball ricochet off the stubborn crossbar kept the Inter goal pure.

Hoping to convert the mini flurry of opportunities to goals in the second half, with half time substitute, Andreas Ivanschitz, providing the leadership in the second interval. Captain of the Austrian National Team, Ivanschitz began to turn the tide on Inter. With efforts of his own – a low shot pushed away by Julio Cesar, followed by a testy free-kick which dipped and nearly fooled Julio Cesar – Ivanschitz became the catalyst of Panathinaikos second half revival. However, the progression towards an equalizer took a step in the negative when Adriano doubled Inter’s lead four minutes ahead of time. The Brazilian was left unchallenged in the Panathinaikos box, and the criticised striker made no mistake by beating a yet-again stranded Galinovic.

Although the visitors were heavy favourites ahead of the clash in Athens, the loss was surely disappointing for centenary-celebrating Panathinaikos. A return to the UEFA Champions League group stage was not a memorable on for Panathinaikos, while another returnee, Jose Mourinho enjoyed a satisfying return to the most prestigious club competition.

Not only did the Athenian giants lose the game, they also lost inspirational midfielder Georgios Karagounis. The Greece international has suffered many setbacks this season already, and the injury suffered against his former team could have been caused by rushing his return to the squad.

In the groups other game, tournament rookies, Anorthosis Famagusta, grabbed an impressive draw against Werder Bremen at the Weser Stadion in Germany.

Panathinaikos will now have to wait for their matchday two tilt in Cyprus, against Anorthosis, to resume their chase of their first points of the group stage. As for Inter, they will host Werder Bremen at the San Siro, in a bid to solidify their spot atop Group B.

Man of the match: The honour of the Fans’ Man of the Match presented by Vodafone was awarded to Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Sweden international played a key role in Inter’s triumph in Athens, as he assisted on both of his side’s goals.

Panathinaikos 0-2 Inter Milan
Mancini 27′, Adriano 85′

Yellow Cards:
Panathinaikos – Cleyton 33′
Inter Milan – Materazzi 22′, Maicon 46′

Panathinaikos (Henk Ten Cate): Galinovic, Moon (82′ Souza), Nilsson (72′ Christodoulopoulos), Goumas, Vyntra, Mattos, Gilberto Silva, Simao, Cleyton, Karagounis (37′ Ivanschitz), Salpingidis.

Inter Milan (Jose Mourinho): Julio Cesar, Cordoba, Zanetti, Maxwell, Ibrahimovic, Maicon, Viera (63′ Muntari), Cambiasso, Materazzi, Mancini (81′ Adriano), Quaresma (61′ Figo).

Venue: OAKA Spyros Louis, Athens, Greece

Referee: Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain)