Brandao strike ends Inter hopes
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E-mail Xinhua, March 14, 2012
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Inter Milan players react against Marseille at the end of their second leg Champions League round of 16 football match in Milan's San Siro Stadium on March 13, 2012. |
Marseille knocked Inter Milan out of the Champions League to reach the quarter-finals thanks to an away goal scored in the stoppage time at San Siro on Tuesday.
Brandao drove in the leathal goal in the second minute of the injury time to leave Inter being distraught winners of the game -- they won 2-1 but failed to progress with an aggregate score 2-2.
Inter spurned easy early chances but Diego Milito's scrappy 75th-minute goal appeared enough to force extra-time at least. Then came the Brandao's goal.
Even though there was a further twist when Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda fouled Giampaolo Pazzini, earning a second yellow card and allowing the Italy international to give Inter victory on the night, boss Ranieri's side went out on the away-goals rule.
Inter head coach Claudio Ranieri felt his side' s exit "sums up our season, but the lads could not have given any more."
"It sums up our season. Perhaps we played better in both legs, but conceded twice in stoppages despite having the best chances," he said.
"I think in 180 minutes we allowed three shots on target, but the team that score goals is the one that wins, so compliments to Marseille.
"It' s a shame, as the lads gave all they possibly could. We have to find the motivation now, as even if we go out, the team proved it gave 100 per cent and we' ll see what we can do in Serie A," he added.
Marseille head coach Didier Deschamps admitted his team had achieved "something extraordinary" in knocking Inter out of the Champions League.
"The players knew what they had to do, it was a complicated game and we didn' t have many chances, as we could' ve done better going forward," he said.
"This is something extraordinary that we have achieved here. Inter remain a great team and we are a small club, so it is hugely satisfying. After some very difficult moments in Ligue One, tonight is a great moment of joy," he said.
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