Sport

Inter make jittery start to defence

FC Twente 2 Inter Milan 2: JITTERY INTER Milan began the defence of their Champions League crown by taking the lead and then…

Wed Sept 15 2010 - 01:00

FC Twente 2 Inter Milan 2:JITTERY INTER Milan began the defence of their Champions League crown by taking the lead and then coming from behind to draw in a rain-hit Group A opener.

Wesley Sneijder, booed by some home fans on his return to the Netherlands, put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes when he slotted home after Diego Milito’s shot had been parried.

The Dutch champions soon hit back with an unstoppable Theo Janssen free kick, before Milito, enduring a difficult start to the season having been inspirational last term, glanced in an own goal from a corner.

Inter reacted quickly to going behind in the downpour and the slick surface helped Samuel Eto’o fire in a superb equaliser from outside the area after 41 minutes following Goran Pandev’s layoff.

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The tight stadium in Enschede, welcoming a Champions League game for the first time, witnessed other chances with Twente coming closest through another Janssen free kick well-saved by Julio Cesar and Marc Janko’s free header over.

Eto’o, who in contrast to strike partner Milito has made a sparkling start to the campaign, had one effort deflected over before a quieter second period where players occasionally lost their footing on the wet turf.

Inter have looked off the pace this term with new coach Rafael Benitez, frustrated at the club not strengthening in the transfer window, coming under immediate pressure following the stunning treble success of Jose Mourinho last season.

Benitez’s options to change things from the bench were again limited when Goran Pandev was carried off with a knock, although pivotal right back Maicon was fit to start after injury.

Inter next host Werder Bremen on September 29th.

FC TWENTE: Mihailov, Rosales, Franco, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli, Brama, de Jong, Janssen, Ruiz, Janko (Bajrami 77), Chadli (Landzaat 88). Subs not used: Boschker, Kuiper, Bengtsson, Parker, Buysse. Booked: Franco.

INTER MILAN: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Mariga, Eto'o, Sneijder, Pandev (Coutinho 61), Milito (Muntari 87). Subs not used: Castellazzi, Cordoba, Materazzi, Santon, Biabiany. Booked: Maicon.

Referee: Pedro Proenca(Portugal).