Deivid leads Fenerbahce

Photo: (Reuters)

Fenerbahce 1- 0 Inter Milan

Fenerbahce made a glorious return to the Champions League on Wednesday night with a hard-fought victory over Internazionale.

The Turkish champions, who did not participate in the competition last season, secured victory thanks to Deivid's stunning first-half volley.

The Brazilian forward capped a stirring performance by scoring his first goal in Europe's elite competition at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The Italian champions had to do without seven players through injury and suspension for their opening Group G encounter and they struggled against a determined home side.

Inter can even count themselves a touch fortunate not to have suffered a more convincing defeat with Nerazzurri keeper Julio Cesar in fine form.

It was the Italians who had the first chance of the game early on, however, Zlatan Ibrahimovic firing wide of the near post.

The hosts replied with Deivid's powerful header which forced Julio Cesar to palm the ball over the bar.

The Nerazzurri surged forward again and could have broken the deadlock midway through the first half had Onder Turaci not got in front of Sweden international Ibrahimovic to clear for a corner.

On the half-hour mark, former Inter full-back Roberto Carlos warmed the hands of Julio Cesar with a stinging drive which the keeper palmed over.

At the other end, David Suazo missed a golden chance to break the deadlock after Ibrahimovic's pass sliced Fenerbahce's defence wide open and found the Honduran striker but his shot was weak and easily saved by goalkeeper Volkan Demirel.

It proved costly for Inter as shortly after, Fenerbahce took the lead.

Alex's cross from the right found an unmarked Deivid whose acrobatic volley found the roof of the net, much to the joy of the home fans.

Inter were determined to find the equaliser after the re-start and they almost got it, but Ibrahimovic's close-range effort deflected off a defender for a corner.

But that is as close as Inter got as Fenerbahce began to move forward with ruthless precision.

Roberto Carlos twice had the opportunity to score against his old employers but his powerful free-kick was saved by Julio Cesar while shortly after, his left-footed strike from inside the area hit the post.

Inter continued to struggle and they almost conceded a second on 66 minutes, with Alex's diving header being met by a stunning one-handed save by Julio Cesar.

With 20 minutes remaining, Hernan Crespo replaced Suazo as the Italians desperately tried to breach Fenerbahce's well-marshalled defence, but despite a late rally they were unable to avoid defeat.


Teams:


Fenerbahce Demirel, Turaci, Lugano, Edu Dracena,Roberto Carlos, Baris, Alex, Aurelio, Wederson,Kezman (Senturk 67), Deivid.


Subs Not Used: Babacan, Cakmak, Kazim, Sahin, Boral, Gonul.


Booked: Turaci, Lugano, Deivid.


Goals: Deivid 43.


Inter Milan Julio Cesar, Zanetti, Rivas, Samuel, Maxwell,Stankovic, Dacourt (Jimenez 70), Cambiasso, Solari (Figo 58),Suazo (Crespo 72), Ibrahimovic.


Subs Not Used: Toldo, Esposito, Bolzoni, Puccio.


Booked: Ibrahimovic, Samuel, Jimenez.


Att: 50,000


Ref: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).