(Agg: 2-2, Inter win)
Christian Vieri was sent off as Inter Milan squeezed past Sochaux with a distinctly unimpressive performance at the San Siro. The Serie A giants went through on away goals after a 2-2 draw in France last week but their performance in the return will do nothing to placate their disgruntled supporters.
And the conduct of Vieri, who was sent off after a clash with Maxence Flachez, will again ask questions about his commitment to the Nerazzurri. The former Juventus star started positively though and had the first chance after eight minutes, his shot superbly tipped around the post by Sochaux keeper Gerard Gnanhouan.
Cristiano Zanetti then tested Gnanhouan with a long-range drive as Inter continued to press. The hosts undoubtedly had the better of the first half but Ligue 1 high-fliers Sochaux came back into it after the break as the hosts began to lose their composure. Nigerian Wilson Oruma tested Inter keeper Francesco Toldo with a low drive while the returning Francileudo Santos should have scored from close range after good work from Jaouad Zairi. Santos also troubled a fragile Inter back four with 16 minutes to go. His twisting run and shot struck the back of Daniele Adani, forcing Toldo into another instinctive stop.
Julio Cruz's shot provided some brief respite for Inter but they heaped more pressure on themselves with Vieri's moment of madness after 86 minutes. Try as they might, though, Sochaux could not net a late winner as Inter stuttered through.
Teams
Inter Milan Toldo, Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Adani, Helveg, Cristiano Zanetti (Pasquale 72), Gonzalez, Farinos, Buruk (Van der Meyde 68), Cruz, Vieri. Subs Not Used: Fontana, Lamouchi, Karagounis, Martins, Brechet.
Sent Off: Vieri (86).
Booked: Helveg, Buruk, Cruz.
Sochaux Gnanhouan, Flachez, Monsoreau, Diawara, Daf (Tall 46), Oruma (Pagis 73), Isabey (Zairi 60), Pedretti, Mathieu, Santos, Frau.
Subs Not Used: Richert, Rashke, Boudarene, Lonfat.
Booked: Daf, Pedretti. Agg (2-2) Inter Milan win on Away Goals Rule
Att: 10,000
Ref: Stephen Bennett (England).
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