TNT Sports
Martins puts Inter second
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Published 25/09/2005 at 22:30 GMT+1
Obafemi Martins grabbed an early goal to give Inter a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday and send Roberto Mancini's side into second. The Nigerian scuffed a 6th-minute shot home after a flowing move from Inter, who would have had more but for the brillianc
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On this sort of form, it is hard to understand how Frey is not even considered for the France squad as he almost single-handedly kept a rampant nerazzurri side at bay in a sprightly first half.
With the much-vaunted Luca Toni neatly muzzled by Marco Materazzi and a reborn Walter Samuel - refinding some of his Roma grit on Italian soil - it was largely one-way traffic with only Frey and the excellent Alessandro Gamberini shining for Cesare Prandelli's side.
Frey was in action as early as the third minute as he moved smartly to his left to push away Martin's downward header, but the former Parma keeper could do nothing as Inter cut his side apart three minutes later.
Adriano's slide-rule pass found Luis Figo - another enjoying an Inter renaissance after suffering in Madrid - whose square ball arrived at Martins racing in unattended to prod the ball into the net from close range.
DEVASTATING EFFECT
It was just desserts for an Inter side who had started the game with determination, quicker to every ball and who dominated their opponents, whose first real attack came 24 minutes into the game.
Dejan Stankovic posed Fiorentina numerous problems playing wide in midfield, cutting in to almost devastating effect on several occassions to get on the end of high balls only to find Frey in simply inspired mood.
Fiorentina's chances were few and far between, though inevitably Toni - Serie A's top scorer - was the man to whom they fell.
Making a rare escape from his vigilant markers just before half time, the Italy forward fired a shot which Julio Cesar did well to tip over, before the Inter keeper had to move swiftly off his line to save at Toni's feet five minutes after the break.
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