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Inter beat Ajax 1-0 to set up Villarreal clash
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-15 08:38
MILAN, March 14 (Reuters) - Inter Milan set up a Champions League
quarter-final with Villarreal when a superb goal by Dejan Stankovic gave them a
1-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday to complete a 3-2 victory on aggregate.
The midfielder's 57th-minute strike sealed a deserved victory for the
home side after they created a string of chances, although they missed a
first-half penalty when Brazilian forward Adriano out his spot-kick wide.
The result, which means three Italian teams are through to the last eight,
completed the quarter-final lineup. The other matches see Benfica facing
Barcelona, Arsenal versus Juventus and Olympique Lyon against AC Milan.
Inter play the first leg of their quarter-final at the San Siro on March 29,
with the return at the Madrigal on April 4.
Coach Roberto Mancini told his players not to get over confident for the
clash with the Spaniards.
"There are many dangers in facing Villarreal, starting from the fact we will
be favourites," Mancini told reporters.
"When the draw for the last 16 was made, there were certain matches that
looked like they were mis-matches. Instead some of the favourites from those
ties have already gone out."
Inter spent most of the opening 30 minutes camped in the Ajax half, having
created their first chance in the second minute when an Adriano shot rebounded
off a defender to Luis Figo, who curled the ball over the bar.
Adriano's strike partner, Obafemi Martins, went even closer in the 12th
minute when the ball broke loose to him just outside the area and his fierce
dipping shot hit the bar.
PENALTY MISS
The Dutch side appeared to succumb to the pressure in the 26th minute when
their captain, Olaf Lindenbergh, handled a Stankovic cross to give Inter a
penalty but Adriano scuffed the ball wide with his favoured left foot.
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