Champions 2012: Cavani scores, Napoli dreams

In the 5th round of the UEFA Champions League group elimination stage, Inter settled for a tie (1-1) against Trabzonspor to ensure a spot in the next round of the competition. Milan also was certain of its qualifications despite being defeated at home by Barcelona (2-3) in a tough match that saw Milan coming up short in the end even after coming back from behind twice (Ibrahimovic and Boateng scoring) against last year’s champions. The most memorable match of the day Napoli’s win against the powerful Manchester City (2-1) with Cavani (photo) scoring both goals and giving Napoli a good chance to seal qualification in the next round.

Champions 2012: Milito’s Inter gets it done

In the 4th round of the UEFA Champions League group elimination stage, all 3 Italian clubs struggled. Inter, however despite continuing to disappoint in Serie A, won at home against Lille (2-1) thanks to goals scored by Samuel first and then Milito (photo) and is close to sealing its qualification. Milan on the contrary disappointed its fans by settling for a tie (1-1) in Russia against Bate Borisov after Ibrahimovic had given it an early lead. Finally Napoli shined in Munich despite losing to Bayern (3-2), playing a tough match and contesting it to the end without ever giving up against the more experienced opponent.

Champions 2012: Pazzini gives Inter hope

In the 3rd round of the UEFA Champions League group elimination stage, all 3 Italian clubs did well. Inter, despite struggling in Serie A, won at Lille (0-1) thanks to a goal scored by Pazzini (photo) in the first half, which gives hope to both its fans and new Inter coach, Ranieri, for a rebirth. Milan also collected a win (2-0) at home against Bate Borisov led as usual by goals scored by Ibrahimovic and Boateng. Napoli held to a tie (1-1) at home Bayern Munich coming back from behind.

Champions 2012: Cavani leads Napoli to key win

In the 2nd round of the UEFA Champions League group elimination stage, all 3 Italian clubs found key wins. Napoli beat (2-0) at home Villareal led by Cavani (photo) and Hamsik offering a convincing performance and clinching valuable points in a very competitive group. Milan also nailed its first European win (2-0) this season against a modest Viktoria Plzen with Ibrahimovic and Cassano finding the net. Inter under the care of Ranieri also clinched an important win at Mosckow against CSKA with Zarate scoring the winning goal after allowing the home team to come back from 2 goals down.

Champions 2012: Napoli shines with Cavani

In the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, Napoli came close to winning in England against Manchester City but settled for a tie (1-1) forcing the home team to come back from behind. Napoli took the lead with Cavani (photo) and show how dangerous it can be on the counter offensive which will be a valuable asset to leverage in a difficult group. Milan also did well, without shining, grabbing a tie (2-2) at Barcelona thanks to an early lead scored by Pato and a very late goal scored by Thiago Silva. Inter on the contrary started with an awful loss at home (0-1) against Trabzonspor showing all the difficulties the team is having this new season. The Italians did not started the Champions well with Udinese earlier in the summer being eliminated by Arsenal and thus losing the right to participate in the group stage.

Champions 2011: Barcelona wins crushing Man.U

In the final of the 2011 UEFA Champions League, Barcelona defeated Manchester United (3-1) to win its 4th Champions cup in a re-match of the same final makeup 2 years ago. The Spanish team (photo) led by Messi on the pitch and Guardiola on the bench dominated match taking the lead early on and conceding little to a highly ineffective English side never able to generate much offensive, except for the initial tie goal. The Italian clubs were a disaster as they have been for the last several seasons exiting early on except for last year’s Champions Inter which exited after a disastrous quarter final round.

Champions 2011: Inter loses, exits with disaster

In the 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter finals, Inter lost at Schalke (2-1) and was eliminated from the competition. The match was controlled by the home team which took the lead and left little room for Inter to play and reverse the huge loss suffered in the first leg. The momentary tie with a goal scored by Motta (photo) was overturned with the home team scoring again and sealing the win that allows them to move on to the semifinals. Inter, last year champion, simply never look strong enough this year (with either Benitez or Leonardo as coaches) to repeat the win obtained by the same squad under Mourinho’s leadership.

Champions 2011: Milito’s Inter crumbles, almost out

In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter finals, Inter completely crumbled suffering a heavy loss at home (2-5) against Schalke that probably compromises its chances to move on to the semifinals. The match actually started well with Inter taking the lead the lead twice in the first half with Stankovic and Milito (photo) scoring but Schalke both times came back to end the the first half with a tie. In the second half however Inter, after creating a couple of chances, crumbled suffering the guests’ counter offensive, conceding 3 goals and ending the match a man down when Chivu was red carded. In the end this defeat leaves Leonardo’s Inter very few chances to move further in the competition it won last year.

Champions 2011: Eto’s Inter qualifies,stuns Bayern

In the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, Inter managed to overturn the first round home loss (0-1) defeating Bayern in Munich (2-3) after an incredible match full of surprises. Leonardo’s Inter started on the offensive and took the lead finding the net with an extraordinary Eto’o (photo) within 3 minutes from the start. After a strong start however Inter conceded two goals in the first half allowing Bayern to believe to have sealed the qualification. In the second half however Inter continued to attack and overturned the result first with a goal scored by Sneijder and then with a goal scored by Pandev after a great play setup by Eto’o in the final minutes of the match. With this tough win, defending Champion Inter is the only Italian club to move into the quarter finals and show the character of a top contender for the most prestigious European title.

Champions 2011: Eliminated Milan, Roma disappoint

In the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, both Milan and Roma were eliminated from the competition after failing to overturn the losses conceded in their first leg’s home matches. Milan tried all it could against in London against Tottenham but settled for a disappointing scoreless tie. Milan pushes hard and came close to scoring on several occasions but in the end it was punished for its lackluster performances offered on the European scene. Roma managed to do worse simply crumbling and losing (3-0) to Shakhtar Donetsk without seemingly never having even a chance. Inter is the only Italian club that has now a chance to move to the quarter finals.