Inter Stunned in CL Opener

• Football Italia, Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:15 PM

One of the more shocking results of the Champions League first round was the loss that Italian champion Inter Milan suffered at the hands of Turkish club Fenerbahce. More shocking, perhaps, than the 1-0 result was the fact that Inter's usually dangerous attack force of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Suazo and Dejan Stankovic remained quiet for most of the match. "We won this game with our marking, not leaving space for Inter's great champions," former Brazil legend and Fenerbahce coach Zico said after the match.

In fact, the Turkish side probably should have won by more, the crossbar denying Roberto Carlos his first goal for his new club, while Inter keeper Julio Cesar was forced to make several fine saves on the night.

Despite yet another poor display from the Nerazzurri, Inter President Massimo Moratti refused to blame Coach Roberto Mancini. He pointed out that the Italians were without several key defenders due to suspensions associated with last year's brawl during the Champions League quarterfinal against Valencia. Walter Samuel, Ivan Cordoba, Maicon, Nicolas Burdisso and Christian Chivu were among those missing. "I can't put all the responsibility on the Coach when the night was ruined by several players," Moratti said. "They need to keep believing in themselves because the first battle is to not panic and put things right before they become very difficult."

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