Inter and Lazio began their Europa League group campaigns but neither were able to come away with a win.
Inter 2 – 2 Rubin Kazan
In a fairly well contested game at the San Siro, Rubin Kazan were denied the the spoils in dramatic fashion. Alexander Ryazantsev gave the away side a lead off a rebound from the penalty spot after Jonathan fouled Gokdeniz Karadeniz in the box after just 17 minutes, before Bebars Nacho’s effort was saved by Samir Handanovic . The goal was no more than they deserved as Rubin controlled much of the game up until this point.
Inter did begin to press however and a neat linkup between Cassano and Cambiasso ended with an equaliser as the Argentine was able to tee up Mark Livaja for his first Inter goal. The releif in the San Siro was palpable as a thoroughly outclassed Inter side were somehow level at the break.
The score remained the same until late in the second half when Solomon Rondon was able to put the Russian side back in front and once again, it was very much deserved. The joy was short lived however as in stoppage time, Yuto Nagatomo was able to steal a point for the Nerazzurri with one of the final touches of the game. A poor run of form for the two Milanese sides at the San Siro continues.
Arguably their biggest competition in the group, Partizan Belgrade were unable to capitalise on this result as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Azerbaijani side Neftchi Baku.
Tottenham 0 – 0 Lazio
The Biancoceleste were able to escape London with a 0-0 draw as they got their hardest game of the group out of the way. Tottenham threatened on many occasions but a stern defence consisting of Andre Dias, Giuseppe Biava, Luis Cavanda and Senad Lulic managed to quell a side boasting at one point Clint Dempsey, Gareth Bale, Mousa Dembele and Jermain Defoe.
Things could have been even better if Miroslav Klose had connected with Lulic’s cross but Vladimir Petkovic will no doubt be the happier manager as Lazio can head into the next round of league games knowing they have got their hardest European test out of the way.
In the other group game, NK Maribor pulled off one of the shocks of the first day of games as they defeated Panathinaikos 3-0 in Solvenia. This was Maribor’s first victory in this stage of the competition and goals from Robert Beric, Agim Abraimi and a late penalty from Marcos Tavares put the Solvenian side top of the group after matchday one.
