Chelsea lose to Inter Milan at San Siro

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Inter Milan at the San Siro last night in the UEFA Champions League group of 16. Although Chelsea had better ball possession and more shots on goal, Inter won the game because they were able to convert their chances. .

The first goal of the match came just three minutes into the first half when Milito connected a pass from Samuel Eto’o to put the hosts ahead. From then on it was attack and counterattack until the end of the first part. Chelsea missed two great chances in the first half; the first was a terrific Didier Drogba free kick that hit the crossbar and the second was the penalty missed by the central referee when Salomon Kalou was brought down in Inter’s 18-metre box on 45 minutes. 1-0 in favor of the local team.

The second half saw more determined football on both sides as they kept threatening each other’s defense from time to time. Chelsea’s persistent attacks paid off in the 51st minute when Salomon Kalou hit a pass from Ivanovic to equalize at 1-1. Determined not to lose at home, however, the hosts fought valiantly and netted the game-winner in the 55th minute when Cambiasso grounded out after a mouth overflow, stumping goalkeeper Petr Cech. Chelsea increased the pressure, but all their efforts were thwarted by Inter’s tight defensive line.

Goal Petr Cech was injured in the 59th minute after jumping to catch a high ball that was not threatening and was not actually intended for the goal. He was replaced by Henrique Hilario, who wiped the slate clean for the rest of the game.

Chelsea again had another chance to equalise, but the opportunity was wasted by Frank Lampard, who in the 65th minute fed a Nicolás Anelka cross to the Inter goalkeeper as if it were a pass back. The blues gave a pretty good account of themselves anyway; They were able to get an away goal that could decide the fate of Inter in their second leg in three weeks’ time.

Samuel Eto’o was substituted on 67 minutes, while Salomon Kalou, scorer of Chelsea’s only goal, was replaced by Sturridge on 78 minutes. The inclusion of Sturridege did little to change the pace of the game. The host eventually pulled off a 2-1 win – manager José Mourinho was obviously happy with the result, as he bragged before the game that he was going to beat Chelsea.