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Champions League, semi final, first leg

Inter Milan 3 - Barcelona 1

Barcelona's repeat presence in this season's Champions League final is in peril after a 3-1 defeat at Inter Milan. Despite a gruelling road journey, Guardiola's side seemed to be on track for a good result after Pedro got on the end of Maxwell's cross to beat Julio César with just under twenty minutes on the clock. But Diego Milito missed a couple of chances before setting up Sneijder to equalise ten minutes later, and three minutes after the restart Milito passed through for Maicon to poke a shot past Valdés to give the home side the lead. The local keeper had to save from Messi and Busquets after that, but on the hour mark Milito headed a third from a possible offside position after Sneijder headed Eto'o's centre across goal. Piqué and Alves had penalty appeals turned down later on, and Piqué had a shot blocked by Lucio on the line near the end, but in the end Mourinho's side take a two goal advantage in to the second leg. Barça still only need to repeat the 2-0 victory from the group stage to go through to the final in the Bernabeu stadium, but between Icelandic volcanoes and refereeing decisions, maybe the Gods are against them this time around? (20.04.10)