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In the opening game of the season, Arsenal forward Ronaldo was in mid-season form, captivating the sold out Highbury crowd. The Brazilian struck twice while earning Man of the Match honors in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Inter.
Vieri went close for Inter in the 15th minute, after a classic run by Zidane, but Vieri's half-volley went just over the crossbar. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Giggs found Henry near the back post, who chipped to the middle where he found a wide open Gilberto Silva, but Friedel got a hand to it, and Ronaldo won the scramble for the loose ball. |
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Later, in the 49th minute, Dida took a goal kick which Henry won over Ayala and made a run down the left side, roasting Cafu and his cross into the box, found the head of a diving Ronaldo, after Ayala missed the header. Arsenal were better in passing efficiency, but surprisingly, Inter held a slight advantage in possession. They did come close to grabbing a consolation goal in the 86th, when substitute Patrick Kluivert took a Vieri flicked header and sent it just inches wide of the right post. Arsenal will look to build on this win, when welcome Hibs to Highbury on Wednesday. Inter will be looking to rebound when they take on Bayern Munich Sunday, after getting a night off Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if they will be pursuing any transfers after this performance.
Man of the Match: Ronaldo(Rating 9/10)
Other key performers: Nelson Dida(9)
Thierry Henry(9)
Worst Performances: No one was below a 6/10
Arsenal
Dida 9
Salgado 8
Nowotny 8
Maldini(C) 8
Cole 7
Dreisler 8
Vieira 8
Gilberto 7 A(1)-25'
Giggs 7
Ronaldo 9 G(1,2)-25',49'
Henry 9 A(1)-49'
Inter
Friedel 7
Cafu 7
Cannavaro(C) 8
Ayala 6
Thuram(sub76) 6
Ljunberg 6
Zidane 8
DePedro 7
Overmars 8
Crespo(sub76) 7
Vieri 7
Pirlo(on 76) 6
Kluivert(on76) 7 |
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