Saturday, 11 March 2006 22:23:40
MILAN - Adriano refound his scoring touch as Inter beat Sampdoria 1-0 at the Meazza in Serie A Week 29 to move within a point of second-placed AC Milan, who face league leaders Juventus in Turin tomorrow night.
After a bright start by the visitors it was one-way traffic, with Mancini's side going close just before the half-hour mark when Adriano headed a Figo corner on to the far post.
The Brazilian ended his ten-game goal drought with his 13th Serie A goal of the season five minutes before half time, nodding past a hapless Antonioli from close range after his initial header from Figo 's corner came back off the crossbar.
Recoba missed a glorious chance to double Inter's lead six minutes into the second half when his close-range effort skimmed the post after Antonioli failed to hold a fierce right-foot drive by Adriano.
Samp's best chance of a reply fell to captain Sergio Volpi, whose low free kick on 60 minutes was expertly saved by Francesco Toldo.
In time added on second-half substitute Obafemi Martins missed a chance to make it 2-0, shooting wide after being put through by Adriano.
INTER 1-0 SAMPDORIA (HT: 1- 0)
Scorer: Adriano 40
INTER: 1 Toldo; 3 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 33 Wome; 7 Figo , 14 Veron (6 C.Zanetti 82), 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic; 10 Adriano, 20 Recoba (30 Martins 64)
Subs not used: 12 Julio Cesar, 11 Mihajlovic, 8 Pizarro, 31 Cesar, 9 Cruz
Coach: Roberto Mancini
SAMPDORIA: 21 Antonioli; 77 C.Zenoni, 14 Castellini, 19 Falcone, 26 Pisano; 7 Gasbarroni ( 8 Dalla Bona 55), 4 Volpi, 17 Palombo, 22 Tonetto (11 Marchesetti 84); 10 Flachi (88 Foti 76), 13 Kutuzov
Subs not used: 1 Castellazzi, 15 Sala, 28 Iuliano, 29 Mingozzi
Coach: Walter Novellino
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Bologna)
Booked: Adriano 49, Falcone 66, Stankovic 81
Standings
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Coppa Italia
