Inter Milan 0 : 1 Trabzonspor - Trabzonspor shock Inter
Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by PA
Italian giants Inter Milan were stunned by Trabzonspor as the Turkish stand-ins began their Champions League season with a shock 1-0 win at the San Siro.
The 2009 champions began their Group B campaign against a team only in the tournament because compatriots Fenerbahce had been kicked out due to match-fixing allegations.
They dominated much of proceedings but were made to pay for a lack of dynamism up front as Ondrej Celustka was on hand to provide the visiting fans with a joyous celebration.
Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini deployed Giampaolo Pazzini and Mauro Zarate up front with Diego Milito his only substitute striker.
He hoped he would not need him against an unfancied Turkish side but the only early chance of note saw Wesley Sneijder slam a free-kick against the wall.
Pazzini had two shots around the 20-minute mark, first seeing a 12-yard effort blocked by Arkadiusz Glowacki and then seeing the same defender get in the way two minutes later.
Defender Marek Cech had Trabzonspor's first half-chance when he blasted over the bar from long distance in the 28th minute.
By far the best chance at that point went to Zarate in the 32nd minute, when the former Lazio forward was well placed from close range but saw Tolga Zengin make the save.
The action was warming up as Zarate teed up Pazzini with a corner which the striker fired goalwards, though Zengin again produced the save required.
Zarate had another chance of his own in the 33rd minute but again Zengin was there to stop him, and 10 minutes from the break Sneijder's free-kick was caught by the goalkeeper.
Inter's Esteban Cambiasso fired one over the bar before the half was out.
Paulo Henrique had a rare attempt for the Turkish side early in the second half but saw his 30-yard attempt fly over before Gasperini sent on Milito and Ricardo Alvarez for Pazzini and Joel Obi.
Playmaker Sneijder volleyed wide from the edge of the box in the 56th minute before a brief lull was ended by Alanzinho's wayward shot at the other end.
Zarate, still Inter's liveliest attacker, should have done better with a shot shortly after the hour mark which Zengin saved.
Halil Altintop was booked for time-wasting and Milito twice went close before the home side were stunned.
The ominous signs had been there and Altintop hit the woodwork from 12 yards before Celustka beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar to the rebound and was able to slam home the goal.
Inter were floundering and Alvarez's poor off-target shot was a poor response as the stunned hosts got off to the worst possible start to their campaign.
end
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