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| March 31, 2006 | Friday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1427 |
Inter claim slender advantage as AC Milan hold Lyon
LONDON, March 30: Inter Milan grabbed a slender advantage over Villarreal with a 2-1 comeback victory while AC Milan came away from Olympique Lyon with a goalless draw in the second two quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Both ties remain open with Villarreal, enjoying a dream first appearance in Europe’s top club competition, clinging on to a precious away goal scored by Diego Forlan after 45 seconds in the San Siro.
In a high-quality match full of chances, Adriano and Obafemi Martins turned things round for Inter to hand the Spaniards their first away defeat in 12 European matches and leave next week’s return leg nicely poised.
Should Inter advance they will play Arsenal or Juventus, with the English side holding a 2-0 advantage from Tuesday’s first leg at Highbury.
The second semifinal will feature last year’s runners-up Milan or Lyon taking on favourites Barcelona or Benfica, who drew 0-0 in Lisbon on Tuesday.
There was an explosive start in the San Siro as Villarreal netted in the first minute and Inter almost equalised in the second.
Uruguay striker Forlan scored on the rebound after Francesco Toldo had parried an effort from Jose Mari but Villarreal needed a goalline clearance by Javi Venta to deny Adriano moments later.
The Brazilian had more luck in the seventh minute when he converted a pass from Dejan Stankovic to equalise.
Captain Javier Zanetti gave a tireless display up and down the right as Inter cranked up the pressure.
But it was Stankovic on the right who was again the provider as Martins scrambled the second goal in the 54th minute.
Villarreal were not downhearted though and came close to an equaliser 10 minutes later when Juan Riquelme thumped a free kick against the bar.
Six-time winners Milan produced a classic European away performance to prevent French league leaders Lyon scoring for only the third time in 45 games.
Lyon badly missed suspended Brazilian playmaker Juninho as Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso took control of midfield.
Milan also had the clearer chances as Andriy Shevchenko forced goalkeeper Gregory Coupet into three smart saves in the opening period.
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