Final score

11 March 2009 20:45

Manchester Utd
4' (2nd half) Ronaldo
4' Vidic
Inter
Referee: Wolfgang Stark / Linesmen: C.Kadach, V.Wezel / Fourth official: G.Perl
Minute Text commentary
45' Half time. Manchester United 1-0 Inter.
45' Back at the other end Rooney drifts into a central position from the left and unleashes a swerve shot that goes wide of Julio Cesar's left-hand post.
45' Van der Sar saves Maicon's blistering shot from distance.
44' Giggs plays a low ball into the Inter box but it's too long for Evra. Julio Cesar gathers.
42' Balotelli overhits his cross for Vieira who was in space on the right.
40' Inter have stepped up a gear at Old Trafford as Ibrahimovic fires a low diagonal shot inches wide of Van der Sar's right-hand post.
39' Another chance for Inter. Stankovic collects Ibrahimovic's pass but fails to control.
38' O'Shea misses a glorious chance for a second after being put through on goal by Rooney. Julio Cesar is out quick to block.
37' Inter close through Stankovic. The Serbian forces a tipped save from Van der Sar with a splendid swerve shot from Ibra's flicked pass, but the ref gives a goal kick.
36' Samuel intercepts Giggs' through ball for Berbatov.
34' Giggs slaloms past three and United win a attacking throw-in after Santon's sliding tackle on Rooney. Seconds later Carrick has a weak long-range effort saved by Van der Sar.
33' Balotelli's free kick is cleared by the United defence.
33' John O'Shea is lucky to escape without caution after his third foul on Mario Balotelli.
32' Vieira trips Giggs and it's a free kick to Man U on the left wing.
31' Scholes overhits his long-range pass for Ronaldo. Santon sees the ball over the line for a goal kick.
29' Inter close to an equaliser. Ibra's downwards header from Maicon's cross bounces up on to the crossbar.
28' Free kick to Inter after an Evra foul on Stankovic.
27' Samuel combines with Balotelli down the left but his cross goes behind for a goal kick.
26' Inter hit United on the break but Rio Ferdinand cuts out Stankovic's ball for Ibra.
24' Nothing comes of Balotelli's outswinging corner as Stark spots a shove by Maicon.
23' Vidic beats Ibrahimovic to Maicon's dangerous right-wing cross. Corner.
22' United come back at Inter and Rooney shoots wide after stealing in at the near post.
21' Back at the other end Stankovic gets to the byline and makes a sliding cross before colliding into the pitch-side advertising boards.
19' United come storming forward on the counter-attack. Giggs gets into the box and crosses for Berbatov but Walter Samuel makes a brilliant interception.
19' Ibrahimovic goes down on the edge of the box after making contact with O'Shea, but for Stark there's no foul.
18' Maicon looks for Ibrahimovic with a right-wing cross but Vidic gets the better of the Swede.
16' Man United maintain their attacking momentum and Ronaldo blasts high and wide after a pass from Giggs.
16' Scholes touches back to Berbatov after a cross from Ronaldo. The Bulgarian's shot from the edge of the box is saved by Julio Cesar.
15' Another free kick to Inter after another O'Shea foul on Balotelli. Vieira's header from Mario's free kick is skywards. Van der Sar saves.
12' Scholes picks out Ronaldo on the left wing with a long-range pass but the Portuguese is a mile offside.
12' Mario Balotelli's inswinging free kick is on target, but it's an easy save for Van der Sar.
11' Free kick to Inter out on the left wing after a foul by O'Shea on Balotelli.
10' Dimitar Berbatov is flagged for offside as he collects a through pass from Giggs.
8' Vieira swings in a cross and Zlatan controls with his chest but can't find space for a shot. United clear.
6' Ronaldo whips in a cross after collecting Berbatov's cut-back, but there's no team-mate on hand in the area.
4' GOAL. Man United take the lead through Nemanja Vidic, who rises in the area and powers home his header from Ryan Giggs' cross. MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 INTER.
3' Cordoba sprints back to beat Rooney to a through ball, conceding a corner. Giggs' cross from the left corner flag is cleared by the Colombian but the Welshman gets another cross in. It's caught by Julio Cesar.
2' Berbatov is closed down by the Nerazzurri defence after a United attack down the right involving Ronaldo and O'Shea.
1' Welcome to Old Trafford for the return leg of our Champions League last sixteen clash against the Red Devils.
1' Away we go at Old Trafford as Wolfgang Stark blows his whistle and United kick off.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 39 Santon; 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti; 5 Stankovic; 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli.<br> Subs: 1 Toldo, 6 Maxwell, 7 Figo, 9 Cruz, 10 Adriano, 20 Muntari, 24 Rivas.
1' Manchester United: 1 Van der Sar; 22 O'Shea, 5 Ferdinand, 15 Vidic, 3 Evra; 7 Ronaldo, 16 Carrick, 18 Scholes, 11 Giggs; 10 Rooney; 9 Berbatov.<br> Subs: 12 Foster, 8 Anderson, 13 Park, 23 Evans, 24 Fletcher, 28 Gibson, 32 Tevez.
1' Ferguson has also made a few changes. Vidic returns in defence after missing the first leg through suspension. Scholes starts in place of Fletcher in midfield, and Rooney starts in attack with Park on the bench.
1' On to tonight's lineups and Mourinho makes four changes to his team for the 1st leg. Cordoba and Samuel come in for Rivas and Chivu in defence, Vieira is preferred to Muntari in midfield, and Balotelli gets the nod ahead of Adriano up front.
1' But Inter played here in a pre-season friendly on 1 August 2007, and won 3-2. Rooney put United in front, with Suazo scoring either side of Ibrahimovic's goal to give the Nerazzurri a two-goal cushion before Adriano turned into his own net.
1' The only previous competitive fixture between these two teams at this ground was a decade ago in the 1998/99 UCL. On that occasion United won 2-0 thanks to a Yorke brace, holding the Nerazzurri 1-1 in the return fixture with Scholes replying to Ventola.
1' Difficult one to predict, this. José Mourinho has an excellent record against Sir Alex Ferguson, with 6 wins and just one defeat in 13 games against the manager of Manchester United, who are unbeaten in 20 Champions League matches.
1' Tonight's clash at the Theatre of Dreams is finely poised after the goalless draw in Milan a fortnight ago. A win or any score draw will see us through to the last eight, while another scoreless draw will force the onset of extra time.
Minute Text commentary
47' Full time. Manchester United beat Inter 2-0.
45' Two minutes of added time.
45' Park dispossess Maicon on the byline. Corner for Inter.
44' Anderson plays through to Giggs but Julio Cesar comes to the edge of his box to intercept.
40' United close as Ronaldo severely tests Julio Cesar. What a great save by the Brazilian.
39' Sir Alex makes his second substitution. Park replaces Rooney.
39' Free kick to United in a central position after a foul by Samuel on Ronaldo.
36' Van der Sar saves a shot from Ibrahimovic.
36' Vidic sweeps to safety after Ibra somehow manages to control a long-range pass with the tip of his boot.
34' Giggs' corner is headed clear by Ibrahimovic. Rooney pounces on the loose ball and cannons wide from distance.
33' Corner for United as Giggs' long-range shot takes a deflection.
32' Sulley Muntari is booked for stamping on Ronaldo's foot.
30' Inter come forward again and Ibrahimovic rifles wide from a position on the left wing.
30' United attack back after a few minutes of Nerazzurri pressure. Anderson sidefoots wide after charging diagonal run from the right by Ronaldo.
29' Ibrahimovic meets Muntari's right-wing cross at the back post and chests wide.
27' Figo gets past Evra down the right and crosses. Van der Sar saves.
26' Figo's outswinging free kick from the right wing is palmed clear by Van der Sar.
26' Wayne Rooney is yellow-carded for a sliding foul on Maicon.
25' And Man United make their first. Anderson comes on for Paul Scholes.
25' Inter make their third switch. Luis Figo replaces Mario Balotelli.
24' Balotelli's crossed free kick is saved by Van der Sar.
24' Free kick to Inter after a tactical foul by Rooney on Maicon.
23' Adriano blasts wide from 30 yards.
21' Ibra's ambitious attempt on goal from the left wing is way over the bar.
20' Balotelli's cross from the right corner flag is headed clear.
20' Evra blocks Balotelli's cross from the right and it's a corner for Inter.
19' Julio Cesar blocks a shot from Rooney after a long passing move by the Red Devils.
15' Julio Cesar makes two saves in quick succession from Rooney and Berbatov as United come looking for a third.
14' Adriano close as Inter hit the woodwork for the second time. The Brazilian combines with Cambiasso and volleys on to the post.
13' Balotelli's inswinging cross from the left is cleared by the United defence.
13' Substitution number two for Inter. Adriano replaces Dejan Stankovic.
12' Ibrahimovic crosses into the arms of Van der Sar after collecting a Cambiasso pass in the area.
9' Ronaldo's 30-yard free kick hits the Nerazzurri wall.
8' Walter Samuel is booked for a tactical foul on Ronaldo.
6' Cambiasso forces a save from Van der Sar with a bullet shot from distance as Inter try to claw their way back.
4' That was Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal in the Champions League this season.
4' GOAL. United hit back and take a 2-0 lead as Ronaldo steals in to head home Rooney's inswinging cross from the right. MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 INTER.
3' Inter pile on the pressure and Vidic makes a last-gasp tackle on Stankovic after a pass from Ibrahimovic.
1' Inter get the second half under way. FORZA NERAZZURRI!!!
1' An early chance for Inter as Mario Balotelli receives from Stankovic and thumps his right-foot shot just wide.
1' Mourinho has made a half-time switch, bringing on Sulley Muntari for Patrick Vieira.
Zanetti
6.47
6.47
Cordoba
6.32
6.32
Adriano
6.5
6.5
Stankovic
6.5
6.5
Cambiasso
7.13
7.13
Julio Cesar
7.68
7.68
Samuel
6.42
6.42
Figo
5.01
5.01
Maicon
6.04
6.04
Vieira
3.78
3.78
Ibrahimovic
6.2
6.2
Balotelli
6.35
6.35
Muntari
4.74
4.74
Santon
6.72
6.72
Average rating 6.13
8 shots on target 6
9 shots off target 9
13 fouls committed 16
3 corners 3
3 offsides 1
00 ball possession 00
Ferguson v Mourinho

Besides the 0-0 draw in the last sixteen first leg between Inter and Manchester United, Alex Ferguson and José Mourinho have locked horns in the Champions League on two previous occasions. In the 2003/04 edition of the competition Mourinho's Porto beat Ferguson's United 2-1 in Portugal, drawing the return leg 1-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals. Porto beat Lyon over two legs (2-0 at home, 2-2 in France) in the last eight, ousting Deportivo La Coruna in the semi-finals (0-0 at home, 1-0 away win in Spain). Mourinho's team beat Monaco 3-0 in the final in Gelsenkirchen on 26 May 2006 to lift the trophy. Including English competitions, Mourinho and Ferguson have met on 13 occasions. The Portuguese has won 6, drawn 6 (including the 2007 Community Shield final won on penalties by United after a 1-1 draw) and lost only once (a 1-0 home win against Chelsea in the Premier League on 6 November 2005).
Details (meetings in European competitions):

2003/04 Champions League Manchester Utd-Porto 1-1 1-2
2008/09 Champions League Manchester Utd-Inter ---- 0-0

Manchester United v Inter

Inter face Manchester United in a competitive fixture for the fourth time. Before the 0-0 draw in Milan two weeks ago, the two teams met over two legs in the quarter-finals of the 1998/99 Champions League. The Nerazzurri lost 2-0 at Old Trafford, drawing 1-1 in the return leg in Milan. United went on to beat Juventus in the semi-finals (1-1 draw at home, 3-2 win in Turin) and Bayern Munich in the final at Barcelona's Camp Nou (2-1 victory).

Details:
1998/99 Champions League Manchester Utd-Inter 2-0 1-1
2008/09 Champions League Manchester Utd-Inter ---- 0-0

Manchester United v Italian clubs

Man United have played 32 classic European competition games against Italian opposition, winning 14, drawing 5 and losing 13. The Red Devils have also played 4 Anglo-Italian Cup fixtures, all in 1972/73, winning 2 and drawing 2. In competitive games, United have therefore won 16, drawn 7 and lost 13 of their 36 encounters with Italian teams. Manchester United host an Italian club for the 16th time in a classic European competition tie after 11 home wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats.

Details:
1957/58 European Cup/Champions League Manchester Utd-AC Milan 2-1 0-4
1968/69 European Cup/Champions League Manchester Utd-AC Milan 1-0 0-2
1972/73 Anglo-Italian Cup Manchester Utd-Bari 3-1 ----
1972/73 Anglo-Italian Cup Manchester Utd-Fiorentina 1-1 ----
1972/73 Anglo-Italian Cup Manchester Utd-Lazio ---- 0-0
1972/73 Anglo-Italian Cup Manchester Utd-Verona ---- 4-1
1976/77 UEFA Cup Manchester Utd-Juventus 1-0 0-3
1983/84 Cup Winners' Cup Manchester Utd-Juventus 1-1 1-2
1996/97 Champions League Manchester Utd-Juventus 0-1 0-1
1997/98 Champions League Manchester Utd-Juventus 3-2 0-1
1998/99 Champions League Manchester Utd-Inter 2-0 1-1
1998/99 Champions League Manchester Utd-Juventus 1-1 3-2
1999 European Super Cup Manchester Utd-Lazio ---- ---- 0-1 (in Montecarlo)
1999/00 Champions League Manchester Utd-Fiorentina 3-1 0-2
2002/03 Champions League Manchester Utd-Juventus 2-1 3-0
2004/05 Champions League Manchester Utd-AC Milan 0-1 0-1
2006/07 Champions League Manchester Utd-Roma 7-1 1-2
2006/07 Champions League Manchester Utd-AC Milan 3-2 0-3
2007/08 Champions League Manchester Utd-Roma 1-0 1-1
2007/08 Champions League Manchester Utd-Roma 1-0 2-0
2008/09 Champions League Manchester Utd-Inter ---- 0-0

Inter v English clubs

Including their 1998/99 Champions League quarter-final against Man United, the Nerazzurri have faced English opposition on 27 previous occasions in Europe, winning 9 games, drawing 6 and losing 12. Inter have also played four Anglo-Italian Cup matches against English teams, winning 1, drawing 2 and losing 1. Inter host an English team for the 16th time in a competitive fixture after 7 victories, 4 draws and 4 defeats. Inter have therefore played 31 competitive games against English clubs, winning 10, drawing 8 and losing 13. Wednesday's clash at Old Trafford is Inter's 14th trip to England after 3 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats.

Details:
1955/58 Fairs Cup Inter-Birmingham City 0-0 1-2
1960/61 Fairs Cup Inter-Birmingham City 1-2 1-2
1963/64 European Cup/Champions League Inter-Everton 1-0 0-0
1964/65 European Cup/Champions League Inter-Liverpool 3-0 1-3
1970/71 Fairs Cup Inter-Newcastle Utd 1-1 0-2
1970/71 Anglo-Italian Cup Inter-West Brownich 1-0 1-1
1970/71 Anglo-Italian Cup Inter-Crystal Palace 1-2 1-1
1990/91 UEFA Cup Inter-Aston Villa 3-0 0-2
1993/94 UEFA Cup Inter-Norwich 1-0 1-0
1994/95 UEFA Cup Inter-Aston Villa 1-0 0-1 a.e.t. (3-4 after pens)
1998/99 Champions League Inter-Manchester Utd 1-1 0-2
2001/02 UEFA Cup Inter-Ipswich Town 4-1 0-1
2002/03 Champions League Inter-Newcastle Utd 2-2 4-1
2003/04 Champions League Inter-Arsenal 1-5 3-0
2007/08 Champions League Inter-Liverpool 0-1 0-2
2008/09 Champions League Inter-Manchester Utd 0-0 ----

Man Utd unbeaten in UCL since May 2007...

Manchester United haven't lost a Champions League match since their 3-0 away defeat to AC Milan on 2 May 2007. In their 20 UCL matches since that date, the Red Devils have won 11 and drawn 9. This statistic includes the penalties win against Chelsea in the 2008 final in Moscow after a 1-1 after extra time.

...and unbeaten at home since February 2005

United's last home defeat in the Champions League was back on 23 February 2005 when they were beaten 1-0 by AC Milan. Sir Alex Ferguson's team have played 19 UCL games at Old Trafford since then, winning 15 and drawing 4. That home defeat to the Rossoneri is United's sole defeat in their last 42 European games at home (33 wins and 8 draws from the other 41 games).

United on target in 14 of last 15 European games at home

Villarreal are the only team to have stopped Manchester United from scoring in their last 15 Champions League matches at home, having held the defending European champions 0-0 on 17 September 2008. The Red Devils have scored a total of 35 goals in the other 14 home games.

Man U through in 57% of cases after 0-0 draw away in first leg

For the eighth time in their history, Manchester United go into a European return leg at home after a 0-0 away draw. They have qualified on 4 occasions and been knocked out 3 times. United went through against Sarajevo in the 1967/68 European Cup (2-1 win), PSV Eindhoven in the 1984/85 UEFA Cup (1-0 win a.e.t.), Athinaikos in the 1991/92 Cup Winners' Cup (2-0 win a.e.t.) and Barcelona in the 2007/08 Champions League (1-0 win). The three exits came at the hands of Rotor Volgograd in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup (2-2 draw), Moncao in the 1997/98 Champions League (1-1 draw) and Real Madrid in the 1999/00 Champions League (3-2 defeat).

Two players set for milestone appearances

Inter defenders Walter Adrian Samuel and Maxwell will complete a century of appearances for the Nerazzurri if they take part in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Old Trafford. The Argentine defender, who made his Inter debut in the 1-0 Italian Super Cup victory over Juventus on 20 August 2005, has played one other Super Cup fixture for the Nerazzurri and worn black and blue in 67 Serie A matches, 13 Coppa Italia games and 17 European fixtures. The Brazilian, meanwhile, has played for Inter 74 times in the league, 11 in the Coppa Italia, once in the Italian Super Cup and 13 in Europe. His debut came in a 1-0 away win over Roma on 20 September 2006.

Only one Inter draw in last 10 away games

Inter's last stalemate on the road was their 3-3 Champions League draw with Anorthosis Famagusta on 4 November 2008. The Nerazzurri have since played 10 away games, winning 7 and drawing 3.

Inter through in 75% of cases after 0-0 home draw in first leg

For the fourth time in their history, Inter go into the return leg of a European tie after a 0-0 draw at home. The Nerazzurri have qualified on three occasions and been knocked out once. They qualified against Celtic in the 1971/72 European Cup (5-4 win after penalties following 0-0 draw a.e.t.), Legia Warsaw in the 1985/86 UEFA Cup (1-0 win a.e.t.) and Vitesse in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup (1-1 draw). Inter were knocked out against Beveran in the 1978/79 Cup Winners' Cup (1-0 defeat in Belgium).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(0) draws(0) defeats(2)

MANCHESTER - Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo scored at the start of each half as Manchester United qualified for the last eight of the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Inter.

But the Nerazzurri went down fighting at Old Trafford, twice being denied by the woodwork and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Dejan Stankovic narrowly missing the target.

José Mourinho made four changes to his team for the first leg, bringing in Balotelli for Adriano in attack. Cordoba and injury-returnee Samuel replaced Rivas and the injured Chivu in heart of the defence, while Vieira got the nod ahead of Muntari in midfield.

Ferguson made changes of his own after fielding a makeshift defence in Milan. Vidic returned alongside Ferdinand after missing the first leg through suspension. The experience of Scholes was preferred to Fletcher in midfield, while Rooney, on as a sub for the final minutes of the first leg, started up front with Berbatov.

United came out firing on all cylinders and had Inter on the back foot with less than four minutes on the clock when Vidic rose in the box to power home a header from Ryan Giggs' right-wing corner.

Inter's first chance fell to Balotelli but his curling free kick from the left wing was easy prey for Van der Sar.

Berbatov had a shot saved and Ronaldo and Rooney sent efforts wide as United looked to build on their lead but the Nerazzurri gained in confidence as the minutes ticked by and were denied an equaliser by the woodwork just before the half hour when Ibrahimovic's downwards header from Maicon's cross bounced up on to the bar.

More chances followed and Stankovic only just missed the target with a swerveshot from Ibrahimovic's cheeky pass.

O'Shea was left ruing a golden chance when Julio Cesar moved quickly to block after a through ball from Rooney, and Inter were unlucky not to be level at the break when Ibrahimovic narrowly missed with a diagonal shot, before Van der Sar kept out Maicon's snapshot from distance.

Mourinho brought on Muntari for Vieira at the start of the second half and Balotelli went close within seconds, thumping just wide his right-foot shot from Stankovic's pass.

But United hit back and increased their lead through Ronaldo who stole in behind the Nerazzurri defence to head Rooney's inswinging cross past Julio Cesar.

With a two-goal deficit to reduce Mourinho made a tactical switch, introducing Adriano for Stankovic. The move almost paid instant dividends when the Brazilian combined with Cambiasso before volleying on to the post.

Inter proceeded to dominate play but United were always a threat on the break and Julio Cesar made crucial saves in quick succession from Rooney and Berbatov, later denying Ronaldo in the closing minutes.

Manchester United 2-0 Inter (HT: 1-0, AGG: 2-0)

Scorers: Vidic 4, Ronaldo 49.

Manchester United: 1 Van der Sar; 22 O'Shea, 5 Ferdinand, 15 Vidic, 3 Evra; 7 Ronaldo, 16 Carrick, 18 Scholes (8 Anderson 70), 11 Giggs; 10 Rooney (13 Park 84); 9 Berbatov.
Subs not used: 12 Foster, 23 Evans, 24 Fletcher, 28 Gibson, 32 Tevez.
Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 39 Santon; 14 Vieira (20 Muntari 46), 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti; 5 Stankovic (10 Adriano 58); 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli (7 Figo 70).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 6 Maxwell, 9 Cruz, 24 Rivas.
Coach: José Mourinho.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).

Booked: Samuel 53, Rooney 71, Muntari 77.

starting lineups

Van der Sar 12 Julio Cesar
O'Shea 13 Maicon
Ferdinand 2 Cordoba
Vidic 25 Samuel
Evra 39 Santon
Carrick 4 Zanetti
Scholes 14 Vieira
Giggs 19 Cambiasso
Ronaldo 5 Stankovic
Rooney 8 Ibrahimovic
Berbatov 45 Balotelli

substitutes

Foster 1 Toldo
Anderson 6 Maxwell
Park 7 Figo
Evans 9 Cruz
Fletcher 10 Adriano
Gibson 20 Muntari
Tevez 24 Rivas