By Anna Italia
                                     FC INTER  3  -  0   FENERBAHCE
                                                  55' Julio Cruz
                                                  66' Zlatan Ibrahimovic
                                                  90' Luis Jimenez

Hey, what a great "Happy Birthday" for Inter Coach Roberto Mancini!  Winning convincingly and qualifying for the next round thanks to the goals of Julio Cruz, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Luis Jimenez.

No one would have guessed, not even Inter fans, that when Referee Konrad Plautz whistles the beginning of the match, it was going to be a convincing victory of the Italian team. 

There was no sign of goals, and opportunities to open the score were simply wasted. The atmosphere looks somber. 

For example, in the 31st minute, Fenerbahce almost scored when Roberto Carlos sends a shot from 25 yards. Luckily, Inter cleared the danger. Then, it was time for Dejan Stankovic in the 36th minute. Stankovic sends a shot with his right foot but the ball goes wide.

Opportunities to score where just coming without converting any.  In the 39th minute, Maicon makes a nice cross from the right, and there you go, once again Fenerbahce clears the danger.

In the 40th minute, Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasted a golden opportunity when his header goes wide.
Despite the first half ending 0-0, the second half showed a different Inter. Clearly, whatever Mancini told the players in the dressing room, it worked. 

                  
In the 55th minute, it was the one and only Julio Cruz to open the score.  A Brazilian - Argentinian move when Maxwell sends a cross to Julio Cruz who was at the right place and in the right moment.  FC Inter 1 -  0 Fenerbahce.
                      
Finally, it came the moment to shine for Inter Super Star Sweden Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In the 66th minute, sends the ball directly in the top right corner. What a reward for his efforts.  With this goal, Ibrahimovic becomes the top scorer in the current Champions League. Congratulations IBRACADABRAAAAAAAA.. the magic starts working after many intents. FC Inter 2 -  0 Fenerbahce.

The final seal came at the very end of the match. In the 90th minute, "el Chileno Luis Jimenez" gives his birthday present to coach Roberto Mancini and scored the third goal!   FC Inter 3 -  0 Fenerbahce.

Photo credits: inter.it

LINE UPS
MATCHDAY 5  Tuesday, November 27, 2007
             
      FC INTER -  FENERBAHCE
      Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
      8:45 p.m.

      Referee: Konrad Plautz (AUT)
      Assistants: Egon Bereuter and Markus Mayr (AUT)
      Fourth Official: Thomas Gangl (AUT)
      UEFA Referee Observer:   Hugh Dallas (SCO)

FC  Inter:

Goalkeeper: 12 Julio Cesar;
Defenders: 13 Maicon, 2 Ivan Cordoba, 25 Walter Samuel, 6 Maxwell;
Midfielders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 26 Christian Chivu, 19 Esteban Cambiasso; 5 Stankovic;
Forwards:  8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Cruz.
Subs: 22 Orlandoni, 23 Materazzi, 11 Jimenez, 15 Dacourt, 21 Solari, 18 Crespo, 29 Suazo.

Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Fenerbahçe:

Goalkeeper: 1 Volkan;
Defenders: 77 Goekhan, 2 Lugano, 36 Edu, 3 Roberto Carlos;
Midfielders: 99 Deivid, 21 Selcuk, 15 Aurelio, 6 Vederson;
Forwards: 20 Alex; 23 Semih .
Subs: 88 Volkan Babacan, 4 Appiah, 5 Yasin Cakmak, 8 Kazim, 11 Tuemer, 18 Ali Bilgin, 10 Onder Turaci.

Coach: Zico.