Bari 2–2 Inter: Galletti Undone By Another Inter Comeback

Posted Sunday, January 17, 2010 by Goal.com

Despite taking a double second half lead, the Galletti were forced to settle for a point following another great escape by the Nerazzurri.

Serie A leaders Inter were looking to maintain some breathing space at the top of the standings as they took on a tricky Bari outfit.

The Nerazzurri came out flying but were quickly made to defend as the Galletti demonstrated their intent with a fast flowing attacking approach to the game.

Bari took an incredible double lead shortly into the second half when Paulo Barreto converted twice from the spot within the space of three minutes to send Jose Mourinho into a momentary coma on the touchline.

The Nerazzurri came fighting back and managed to level within just 11 minutes when Diego Milito converted penalty followed Goran Pandev’s first goal in the Inter colors. Despite throwing everything and more each other for the final sprint, the sides were forced to settle for a point a piece following an great showing at the San Nicola.

The game started at a lighting pace and the Nerazzurri almost scored after just 30 seconds when Wesley Sneijder sprayed into the side netting from inside the box.

Bari were not taken aback however from their early scare, and Giampiero Ventura’s men demonstrated their intent as they burst forward with a positive attacking approach.

On five minutes the Galletti had a very strong shout for a penalty waved away when Edgar Alvarez was taken down inside the box. Despite Roberto Rosetti’s vicinity to the incident, the referee gave the benefit of the doubt to Walter Samuel who appeared to have tugged the Bari winger.

After finding their feet Mourinho’s men began to take a more controlled approach as they passed the ball around from left to right in a bid to maintain possession and slow the pace of the game a little.

On 28 minutes the Galletti created a great scoring chance when Alessandro Gazzi threaded Alvarez into the box with a wonderful through pass that cut the Inter defense in two. To the dismay of the San Nicola faithful however, the Honduran midfielder smashed a low shot towards the center of the goal, and Julio Cesar blocked without difficulty.

Bari continued to attack and minutes later Julio Cesar was again called into action when Alessandro Parisi burst through down the left. The defender unleashed a venomous shot as he neared the box and this time the Brazilian ‘keeper had to be on red alert as he blocked at the near post.

As the half drew to a close Inter looked to finish with a late flourish but were still unable to cause any real pressure on the Bari goal. The Galletti went in at the break the happier of the sides and may even have felt a little hard done by for having their noses in front.

Julio Cesar Was Kept Busy In Opening Period

After the re-start the Nerazzurri looked to apply themselves a little more going forward but as they did so Mourinho’s men became a little more exposed to the home side’s counter attacking game.

On 50 minutes Inter finally tested Gillet between the sticks when Sneijder directed a powerful free kick towards the underside of the bar. The ball looked destined to rattle the net as had done seven days earlier, but this time the Dutchman was denied by Bari’s alert glovesman.

Ten minutes later he game took an important turn when Rosetti awarded the home side a penalty kick after Samuel blocked with his arm inside the box. Barreto then stepped up from twelve yards and made no mistakes as he sent Julio Cesar the wrong way slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Just minutes later Bari were given a golden chance to double their lead when Lucio downed Parisi inside the box to gift the Galletti a second spot kick. As before Barreto stepped up to honor his penalty duties, and the Brazilian wasted nothing as he powered the ball into the middle of the net.

On 65 minutes Inter re-opened the match when Pandev picked up a loose ball inside the box and rounded two defenders before finishing for his first goal in the Nerazzurri colors. Mourinho’s men now had the bit between their teeth and the game was really shaping up into another Saturday night epic.

Just three minutes later the Beneamata were then handed a chance from the spot when Pandev was downed inside the box by an outstretched Leonardo Bonucci. Milito then stepped up from twelve yards and made no mistakes to level with 15 minutes left on the clock.

No sooner had Inter leveled did Bari carve out another great scoring chance when Alvarez broke through the offside trap for a one-on-one with Julio Cesar. The Honduran winger lost his cool however and produced a tame effort straight into the path of the Brazilian glovesman.

Despite throwing everything forward in search of a winner, the sides were forced to settle for a point a piece in what had proved to be a wonderful display of attacking football.