Aggregate: 2 – 0
Man. United         2 – 0        Internazionale
Vidić 4,
Cristiano Ronaldo 49

Manchester United FC progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after headed goals from Nemanja Vidić and Cristiano Ronaldo earned them a 2-0 victory over FC Internazionale Milano.

Nervy night
The champions of England, Europe and the world remain on course for an unprecendented quintuple of trophies this term after surviving an uncomfortable encounter with the Serie A leaders, who could easily have scored at least one goal. Inter’s coach José Mourinho arrived here with a reputation for getting results against United – most famously with FC Porto five years ago – but while he left with a chorus of “You’re not special any more” ringing in his ears, his side certainly ensured a nervy night for their hosts.

Urgent start
Rather than energise United, Vidić’s fourth-minute opening goal seemed to send Sir Alex Ferguson’s men into their shells in a stuttering first-half display. Vidić had rewarded an urgent start when he got clear of Patrick Vieira and met Ryan Giggs’s corner with a powerful header which flew inside an unguarded far post. Yet United, apparently unsure whether to defend their advantage or push on, did neither.

Holders United Head Through To Quarter-finals … read more »

Inter Milan twice came back from two-goal deficits to hold AS Roma to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the San Siro on Sunday and extend their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.

Jose Mourinho’s team looked to be heading for more heartache following their footballing lesson by Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek as they trailed 2-0 and 3-1.

But a brace from teenager Mario Balotelli and a late equaliser from Hernan Crespo stole a share of the spoils and helped to maintain a sizeable gap to second-placed Juventus, who beat Napoli 1-0 on Saturday.

Roma were the better team in the first period and on 23 minutes young full-back Marco Motta cut in from the right and crossed left-footed into the box where Daniele De Rossi arrived late to out-jump Javier Zanetti and glance home a fine header.

Jon Arne Riise notched a second on 29 minutes after galloping down the left onto a David Pizarro through ball, sneaking in behind Maicon and somehow squeaking the ball through Julio Cesar’s legs and in from a seemingly impossible angle.

Nicolas Burdisso had to make a last ditched challenge to deny Mirko Vucinic as Roma threatened to run riot in the first half.

But straight after the break Inter were given a lifeline as Adriano teed up Balotelli to beat Doni at his near post.

But Inter’s reprieve didn’t last long as Matteo Brighi ran through a gap in the home defence on 57 minutes before rifling home from outside the area.

Inter Show Title Spirit In Six-goal Thriller … read more »

FC Internazionale Milano and Manchester United FC will resume acquaintances at Old Trafford on 11 March with their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie in the balance following an eventful but goalless draw in Milan.

César saves
The visitors will feel more aggrieved having not produced the away goal their dominance deserved but the rare profligacy of Cristiano Ronaldo combined with the exceptional goalkeeping of Júlio César prevented the European champions from taking a commanding first-leg lead away from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The draw, however, was enough for United to set a new record of 20 games unbeaten in the competition.

Ronaldo chances
Inter’s fans unveiled a banner of a snake, their club symbol, as the players took to the field, but it was United, and Ronaldo in particular, who showed more bite during a one-sided first half in which the Portugal international had no fewer than seven goalscoring chances. Ronaldo drew Cristian Chivu into a foul inside 60 seconds and fired the subsequent free-kick straight at César. Four minutes later the goalkeeper was again forced into action, repelling Ronaldo’s powerful header from Ryan Giggs’ corner. Ronaldo did beat the Brazilian custodian soon afterwards, but his long-range effort, from another free-kick, fizzed just wide.

Brilliant César Keeps United at Bay … read more »