On March 31, 2010, Inter Milan faced CSKA Moscow in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the San Siro in Milan. Inter secured a narrow 1-0 victory, giving them a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Moscow.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Inter Milan: 1 (Diego Milito 65′)
- CSKA Moscow: 0
- Possession:
- Inter Milan dominated possession with 60%, while CSKA Moscow had 40%. Inter’s control of the ball allowed them to dictate the pace of the game, though they found it challenging to break down CSKA’s organized defense.
- Shots:
- Inter Milan registered 13 shots, with 5 on target, reflecting their attempts to breach CSKA’s defense. CSKA Moscow had 8 shots, with 3 on target, showing their ability to counter-attack and create opportunities despite limited possession.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Inter Milan had a passing accuracy of 83%, completing 440 passes out of 530 attempts. CSKA Moscow’s passing accuracy was lower at 75%, completing 287 passes out of 383 attempts. Inter’s superior passing and ball retention were key to maintaining pressure on CSKA.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Inter Milan made 15 tackles compared to CSKA Moscow’s 18, reflecting the Russian side’s efforts to disrupt Inter’s play and protect their goal. Inter’s defense, led by Lucio and Walter Samuel, was solid, limiting CSKA’s clear-cut chances.
- Set Pieces:
- The only goal of the match came from open play. Diego Milito scored in the 65th minute after receiving a pass from Wesley Sneijder, turning his marker, and firing a low shot into the bottom corner. Despite multiple corners and set-piece opportunities for both sides, neither team could capitalize further.
- Individual Performances:
- Diego Milito was the standout player for Inter Milan, scoring the crucial goal that gave Inter the advantage. Wesley Sneijder was also influential, providing the assist for Milito’s goal and orchestrating much of Inter’s attacking play. For CSKA Moscow, goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev made several important saves to keep his team in the game, while Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksei Berezutski were key in defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Inter Milan, under José Mourinho, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on controlling the midfield and using the creative talents of Sneijder and the attacking prowess of Milito. CSKA Moscow, managed by Leonid Slutsky, used a 4-2-3-1 formation as well, emphasizing a solid defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. CSKA’s tactics were largely successful in containing Inter, though they were unable to find the net themselves.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards, two for each team: Inter Milan’s Lucio and Thiago Motta, and CSKA Moscow’s Vasili Berezutski and Keisuke Honda. The fouls were mostly tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing dangerous attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Inter Milan won 7 corners compared to CSKA Moscow’s 4, reflecting their territorial advantage and sustained pressure. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Inter Milan’s 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow at the San Siro was a hard-fought win that gave the Italian side a narrow lead heading into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The match was tightly contested, with Inter controlling possession and creating more chances, but finding it difficult to break down a resilient CSKA defense.
The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when Diego Milito scored the only goal of the match, converting a well-placed shot after a smart pass from Wesley Sneijder. Despite their dominance, Inter were unable to add to their lead, leaving the tie open for the return leg in Moscow.
CSKA Moscow defended well and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but they were unable to find a breakthrough against a solid Inter defense. The narrow margin of victory left the tie finely balanced, with CSKA hoping to overturn the deficit on home soil.
The result set up an intriguing second leg, with Inter holding a slight advantage but knowing that any slip-up could see them eliminated. For Inter, the performance highlighted their strength in controlling games and grinding out results, characteristics that would ultimately help them in their pursuit of Champions League glory that season.
