Final score

2 November 2004 20:45

Inter
Valencia
Referee: Valentin Ivanov / Linesmen: Evgueni Volnin, Vladimir Eniutin / Fourth official: Alexander Gvardis
Minute Text commentary
46' It's 0-0 after a Nerazzurri-dominated first half at the San Siro.
45' There will be a minute of added time.
44' At the other end Di Vaio tries an ambitious shot from 30 yards out and it's way off target.
43' Ze Maria shoots wide of the right post with an effort from 25 yards.
43' Adriano makes a darting run forward then plays to Martins, who is anticipated.
42' Mista's free kick is played over to the far post, where Di Vaio heads into the arms of Fontana from a tight angle.
40' Free kick to Valencia close to the right-wing by-line after Materazzi fouls Di Vaio.
38' Albelda does well to cut out Veron's ball for Martins as the Nerazzurri come forward.
37' Di Vaio is booed for bringing down a cross with his right arm.
36' The Curva Nord applauds Materazzi for a crunching tackle on Di Vaio. Valencia win a corner. Angulo takes, Adriano hooks clear.
33' Inter have their best chance of the match so far. Veron, who is having a superb match, puts Oba through on goal. The Nigerian's shot is well-saved by Canizares.
32' Adriano tries to lob Canizares with a shot from just inside the Valencia half, but there is also appaluse for Veron, who shows more incredible skill on the right wing.
30' Adriano leaves Angulo and Carboni for dead on the right wing with a touch of class but then runs into Marchena.
28' Some superb first-time play by the Nerazzurri in midfield. The ball is then played wide to Ze Maria, who crosses in for Adriano to head wide of the far post.
27' Incredible skill by Veron. The Agrentine flicks the ball to beat two opponents and create space, then narrowly misses the target with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.
26' Two good chances for Inter. Stankovic mis-times his close-range shot from Zanetti's left-wing cross then the ball falls to Cambiasso, whose shot from the distance is saved by Canizares.
24' Marco Caneira anticipates Oba Martins to Edgar Davids' through ball.
24' A bit of the spray and Mista is back on the pitch.
23' Mista comes off for treatment to his left ankle. Valencia are momentarily down to ten men.
22' The Meazza applauds Cambiasso, who receives from Davids then from the edge of the Spanish box volleys just wide.
21' Excellent defending by Ze Maria, who tackles Angulo on the left side of the Nerazzurri box then sets up an attack.
20' Valencia keeper Canizares runs off his line to beat Martins to Adriano's through ball.
19' Ze Maria takes, Marco Caneira heads clear.
18' On the right wing Adriano storms past Marchena but runs into Baraja, who concedes a corner.
17' Valencia come forward on the counter-attack and Di Vaio wastes a glorious chance to put his side into the lead, firing wide with just Fontana to beat.
16' Inter win another free kick, this time 30 yards out to the left of the Valencia goal. Veron's cross-shot is well-saved by Canizares at the near post.
16' Free kick to Inter fifteen yards inside the Valencia half after Adriano is poleaxed by Marchena.
14' Adriano heads short to Martins, who holds off a challenge from Albelda then plays back to Javier Zanetti, who crosses into the box. Baraja plays clear.
12' Nice skill by Stankovic, who after receiving short from Veron bamboozles two opponents then shoots over.
10' Adriano's powerful shot from the edge of the box takes a deflection off a Valencia defender and goes into the hands of Canizares.
10' The Nerazzurri move forward and Canizares comes off his line to anticipate Adriano.
9' Egdar Davids brings an end to a good passing move by the Spaniards, conceding a right-wing throw-in.
7' Ze Maria crosses to Veron on the edge of the Spanish box. Ivanov spots a foul on Caneira.
6' In the thick of the action, the Dutch midfielder plays a short ball forward to Adriano, who is fouled by Marco Caneira.
6' Egdar Davids takes on two in the centre circle then plays square to Stankovic, who is beaten to the ball by Angulo.
5' Valencia win a free kick on the right wing. Rufete's low cross goes out of play at the near post.
4' But the match comes to life as Adriano runs down the left then plays into the box for Oba, but the Nigerian is aniticpated.
3' The tempo is slow in the opening minutes with both sides making a cautious start to the match.
1' Welcome to the Giuseppe Meazza in Milan for tonight's Uefa Champions League Matchday 4 clash between Inter and Valencia. The visitors kick off.
1' Ze Maria, Cambiasso and Stankovic combine in midfield then the ball is played forward to Martins. Marco Caneira intercepts.
Minute Text commentary
48' Full time. Inter 0 Valencia 0. Werder Bremen beat Anderlecht 5-1 in tonight's other group match, which means the Nerazzurri are through to the knockout stage of the Uefa Champions League.
47' Marco Caneira is booked by Ivanov.
47' There a fight by the Inter bench after Adriano shoves Marco Caneira in the face in reaction to the Portuguese defender's punch. The Brazilian is given a straight red card and a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch.
45' There will be two minutes of added time.
45' The Meazza roars as news comes through that Barcelona have taken the lead against AC Milan.
44' Roberto Mancini brings on Giovanni Pasquale for Dejan Stankovic.
44' Edgar Davids plays square to Cristiano Zanetti and The Hammer pulls his shot well wide of the left post.
43' Ooooohhh. Recoba latches on to a long ball forward then plays back to Adriano who spots Canizares off his line and lobs the Valencia keeper. Marchena heads off the line.
39' Claudio Ranieri makes his third and final substitution: Emiliano Moretti comes on for Mista.
38' Corradi wins the ball back off Cambiasso and plays down the right wing. Cordoba does well to shield the ball from Rufete and win Inter a goal kick.
35' Corradi is a yard offside as he jumps to meet Marchena's long ball forward.
34' Another Nerazzurri switch. Cristiano Zanetti replaces the excellent Juan Veron.
33' Inter bring on Recoba for Martins.
30' Stankovic's long ball forward for Martins is a bit too long and Canizares collects.
29' Valencia make their second substitution: Sissoko replaces Baraja.
26' Marco Di Vaio is replaced by Bernardo Corradi.
25' Oba yet again. This time he pounces on a back pass, turns then sees his shot ricochet off an opponent.
24' Incredible miss by Obafemi Martins, who tries to deviate Davids's inch-perfect cross into the net from close range but ends up hitting the crossbar.
23' Cambiasso wins the ball off Albelda and sets Martins off on a run. The Nigerian combines with Veron and Adriano and ends the move by shooting over the Valencia bar from eight yards out.
22' Davids creates space for himself then sends a low shot on target from 25 yards. Canizares gets down to make the save at the right post.
21' Good defending by Ivan Cordoba. The Colombian stops Di Vaio from getting to Baraja's forward pass, letting Fontana come off his line in time to collect.
20' Javier Zanetti's right-wing cross goes out of play at the far post.
18' Ze Maria takes, Canizares jumps and catches.
17' Oba skips past two then plays to Adriano, whose diagonal, left-footed shot is on target. Canizares can't hold on to the ball and it's an Inter corner.
16' Valencia come foward. Rufete plays wide to Curro Torres, whose cross comes off Javier Zanetti. Corner.
15' Oba again. Martins is barged off the ball by Marco Caneira in the box and Valencia are given a goal kick.
14' Oba Martins goes on one of his mazy runs. The Nigerian sprints past two, makes his way into the box, but can't get past a third opponent.
14' Valencia win a second corner and Juan Veron heads out of defence.
13' Veron recieves from Davids and appears to be brought down from behind as he approaches the Valencia box. Ivanov gives no foul. The Spaniards break and Di Vaio's shot is deflected out for a corner by Ze Maria.
12' Veron takes the free kick and sends it into the Curva Nord.
11' Baraja is cautioned for an awful tackle on Dejan Stankovic. Free kick to us 35 yards out.
10' Valencia attack. Fontana saves from Carboni's left-wing cross-shot.
9' Alberto Fontana has no problem dealing with Albelda's long ball forward into the Inter penalty box.
7' The visitors counter-attack and Mista finishes off the move with a shot from the edge of the box which goes high over Fontana's bar.
6' Davids combines well with Adriano then crosses in from the left. Albelda clears.
5' Veron races forward with the ball then lays off to Martins, who fails to control and Valencia win possession.
2' Ze Maria's corner is played over to Martins, who heads back to Cambiasso on the edge of the box. El Cuchu leaves it for Veron, who fires over.
2' At the other end Adriano wins us a right-wing corner.
1' Inter get the second half underway.
1' Valencia are straight into attack. Di Vaio heads Rufete's right-wing cross over the bar.
Recoba
6.45
6.45
Zanetti
6.27
6.27
Zanetti
7.03
7.03
Cordoba
7.06
7.06
Fontana
6.72
6.72
Materazzi
6.7
6.7
Adriano
7.56
7.56
Pasquale
5.48
5.48
Martins
6.35
6.35
Stankovic
6.35
6.35
Veron
6.46
6.46
Cambiasso
7.56
7.56
Davids
6.83
6.83
Ze Maria
5.79
5.79
Average rating 6.62
8 shots on target 2
10 shots off target 5
12 fouls committed 15
6 corners 4
1 offsides 2
35:41 ball possession 27:32
Inter v Spanish clubs

Inter face a Spanish club in official matches for the 36th time (including the past matches against Valencia), and have recorded 13 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats from the other 35 games.

In detail:

1958/60 Fairs Cup Inter-Barcellona 2-4 0-4
1961/62 Fairs Cup Inter-Valencia 3-3 0-2
1963/64 European Cup Inter-Real Madrid 3-1 (a Vienna)
1965/66 European Cup Inter-Real Madrid 1-1 0-1
1966/67 European Cup Inter-Real Madrid 1-0 2-0
1969/70 Fairs Cup Inter-Barcelona 1-1 2-1
1979/80 Uefa Cup Inter-Real Sociedad 3-0 0-2
1980/81 European Cup Inter-Real Madrid 1-0 0-2
1982/83 Cup Winners' Cup Inter-Real Madrid 1-1 1-2
1984/85 Uefa Cup Inter-Real Madrid 2-0 0-3
1987 Mundialito Inter- Barcelona 3-1 ----
1985/86 Uefa Cup Inter-Real Madrid 3-1 1-5 (dts)
1987/88 Uefa Cup Inter-Espanol 1-1 0-1
1998/99 Champions League Inter-Real Madrid 3-1 0-2
2000/01 Uefa Cup Inter-Alaves 0-2 3-3
2001/02 Uefa Cup Inter-Valencia 1-1 1-0
2002/03 Champions League Inter-Barcelona 0-0 0-3
2002/03 Champions League Inter-Valencia 1-0 1-2
2004/05 Champions League Inter-Valencia ---- 5-1

Inter v Valencia

The two sides have met on 7 previous occasions. Inter have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 2, and have never lost at home (1 victory and 2 draws).

In detail:

1961/62 Fairs Cup Inter-Valencia 3-3 0-2
2001/02 Uefa Cup Inter-Valencia 1-1 1-0
2002/03 Champions League Inter-Valencia 1-0 1-2
2004/05 Champions League Inter-Valencia ---- 5-1

Valencia v Italian clubs

There are 19 previous meetings in competitive matches between Valencia and Italian clubs. The reigning Spanish champions have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 10. Their only victory on Italian soil was on 18 February 2003 when they beat Roma 1-0 in the Champions League. Valencia have collected 2 draws and 6 defeats from the other 8 matches played in Italy.

In detail:

1961/62 Fairs Cup Valencia-Inter 2-0 3-3
1962/63 Fairs Cup Valencia-Roma 3-0 0-1
1990/91 Uefa Cup Valencia-Roma 1-1 1-2
1992/93 Uefa Cup Valencia-Napoli 1-5 0-1
1999/00 Champions League Valencia- Fiorentina 2-0 0-1
1999/00 Champions League Valencia-Lazio 5-2 0-1
2001/02 Uefa Cup Valencia-Inter 0-1 1-1
2002/03 Champions League Valencia-Roma 0-3 1-0
2002/03 Champions League Valencia-Inter 2-1 0-1
2004/05 Champions League Valencia-Inter 1-5 ----

The referee: Valentin Ivanov

Valentin Ivanov was born in Moscow on 4 July 1961 and resides in the Russian capital. An international referee since 1997, he is a physical education teacher by profession. Ivanov refereed last year's Intercontinental Cup, which AC Milan lost to Argentine side Boca Juniors 4-2 after penalties. He was also one of the Euro 2004 referees and officiated at last year's Confederations Cup. Ivanov refereed the Nerazzurri twice in the 2002/03 Uefa Champions League: the 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on 19 March 2003 thanks to goals from Martins and Emre, and the semi-final first leg 0-0 draw with AC Milan on 7 May 2003.

Adriano two goals away from Crespo's record

Including the two qualifying round matches, Adriano has scored 7 goals in 5 2004/05 Uefa Champions League matches. The Brazilian is two goals away from equalling Hernan Crespo's record of 9 goals for Inter in one edition of a European cup competition, set in 2002/03. Adriano is fourth in the all-time list of Nerazzurri scorers in Europe, behind Crespo (9), Jair (11) and Mazzola (16).

Inter chasing record fifth consecutive Champions League win

The Nerazzurri have won their last four Champions League matches (the third qualifying round second leg against Basel plus the first three Group G matches against Werder Bremen, Anderlecht and Valencia). Another win at home to the Spanish champions tonight will see Inter equal their record of five consecutive European Cup/ Champions League victories: against Everton (1), Monaco (2) and Partizan Belgrade (2) from September 1963 to March 1964; and against Borussia Dortmund (1), Real Madrid (1), Dinamo Bucharest (2) and Glasgow Rangers (1) from April 1964 to February 1965.

Inter unbeaten in 16 competitive matches

The Nerazzurri haven't lost a competitive fixture since last 2 May when they were beaten 2-1 by Lecce at the Via del Mare Stadium. Since then, Inter have played 16 Serie A and Champions League matches, winning 8 and drawing 8.

Recoba set for 200th Inter appearance

If he plays against Valencia, Alvaro Recoba will make his 200th appearance for Inter. The Uruguayan forward has played 199 matches for the Nerazzurri (134 in the Serie A, 19 in the Coppa Italia, 23 in the Champions League, 22 in the Uefa Cup and 1 play-off match). He netted a brace in his Inter debut, a 2-1 win at home to Brescia in the championship on 31 August 1997. To date, El Chino has scored 62 goals for Inter.

J.Zanetti to reach Ferri in all-time list

If he plays tonight, Inter captain Javier Zanetti will make his 418th appearance in black and blue and join Riccardo Ferri in ninth position in the all-time list of most present Inter players.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(1) draws(2) defeats(0)
MILAN - The Nerazzurri were held to a goalless draw by Valencia in Tuesday's Uefa Champions League Matchday 4 clash at the Meazza, but progress to the knockout stage of the competition with two rounds left to play as Werder Bremen thrashed Anderlecht 5-1 in tonight's other Group G match.

Scoreless draws are often entertaining matches and this one was no exception. After a cautious start by both sides, the Nerazzurri sprang into life when Adriano's powerful shot from the right edge of the Spanish box took a slight deflection off a defender, forcing Canizares into a difficult save.

Valencia's only real chance of the opening period fell to Marco Di Vaio, who with just Fontana to beat pulled his shot wide, while Veron, Stankovic, Cambiasso and Ze Maria all had long-range shots before the half was out. But Obafemi Martins was presented with the Nerazzurri's clearest chance of the opening forty-five, his shot from Veron's through ball forcing Canizares into a fine save.

Inter proceeded to dominate the second half and Edgar Davids went close with a low shot from the distance which the Valencia keeper saved at the left post. The Dutchman then set up Martins with an inch-perfect cross from the left which the Nigerian somehow managed to direct on to the crossbar from close range. Mancini's men were denied again when Adriano received a cut-back from Recoba then lobbed Canizares, only for Marchena to head off the line.

The match took an ugly turn in injury time when Adriano was sent off and Marco Caneira booked for lunging at each other.

INTER 0-0 VALENCIA

INTER: 12 Fontana, 2 Cordoba, 4 J. Zanetti, 8 Davids, 10 Adriano, 13 Zè Maria, 14 Veron (6 C. Zanetti 79), 19 Cambiasso, 23 Materazzi, 25 Stankovic (26 Pasquale 89), 30 Martins (20 Recoba 78)
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 7 Van der Meyde, 21 Karagounis, 32 Vieri
Coach: Roberto Mancini

VALENCIA: 1 Canizares, 5 Marchena, 6 Albelda, 8 Baraja (16 Sissoko 74), 10 Angulo, 11 Di Vaio (9 Corradi 71), 12 Caneira, 15 Carboni, 19 Rufete, 20 Mista (24 Moretti 84), 23 Curro Torres
Subs not used: 13 Palop, 2 Pellegrino, 7 Fiore, 18 Xisco
Coach: Claudio Ranieri

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

Booked: Baraja 56, Marco Caneira 90+2
Sent off: Adriano 90+2

starting lineups

Fontana 12 Canizares
Cordoba 2 Marchena
Zanetti 4 Albelda
Davids 8 Baraja
Adriano 10 Angulo
Ze Maria 13 Di Vaio
Veron 14 Caneira
Cambiasso 19 Carboni
Materazzi 23 Rufete
Stankovic 25 Mista
Martins 30 Curro Torres

substitutes

Toldo 1 Palop
Zanetti 6 Pellegrino
Van Der Meyde 7 Fiore
Recoba 20 Corradi
Karagounis 21 Sissoko
Pasquale 26 Xisco
Vieri 32 Moretti