Audi Cup – Internacional Beat AC Milan on Penalties After 2-2 Draw (Report and Video)
Internacional have finished third-place in the Audi Cup after a penalty-shootout victory over AC Milan, following a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Milan took the lead twice through Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato, but Leandro Damiao and substitute Andres D’Alessandro ensured the Brazilian side leveled matters, and then won the clash after scoring two of their three penalties, in stark contrast to their opponents, who missed all four of their spot-kicks.
The Italians made an explosive start to proceedings, as inside two minutes, a cunning piece of play by Clarence Seedorf, as he slipped the ball in reverse fashion to Robinho, allowed the Brazilian forward to drill the ball into the centre and Ibrahimovic to net the opener.
However, Internacional showed promise as the half wore on, and their efforts were repaid in the form of an equaliser through the in-demand Damiao on 24 minutes, as the South American outfit took advantage of a counter attack and the young striker timed his run to perfection by meeting a low cross from Joaopaulo and tapping the ball into the net.
The Serie A champions regained their grip on the match in the second-half, as another free-flowing move ensued from their emphatic attacking trio, all whom played an important role in the goal on the hour-mark.
Ibrahimovic showed superb close control and vision to thread the ball in Robinho’s path on the edge of the box, and the ex-Manchester City forward cut it back to Pato, whose effort made it 2-1 in AC Milan’s favour, and really should have capitalised on their surmounting dominance.
However, the Brazilians managed to shake off the overriding Milan pressure, through substitute D’Alessandro, who capitalised on a defensive error from Mario Yepes by volleying the ball past a helpless Flavio Roma to ensure the match would be decided on penalties, ultimately in the favour of Internacional.
The Italians were unable to score any of their four spot-kick attempts and Internacional walked away with a 2-0 advantage in the shootout and the bronze standing at the Audi Cup.
Internacional 2-2 AC Milan Highlights (2-0 pens.)
