Internazionale 0 - 1 Panathinaikos

Mourinho stunned

Updated: November 26, 2008, 8:00 AM UK

Panathinaikos revived their hopes of reaching the second round of the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Inter Milan tonight.

A 69th-minute goal from Jose Sarriegi was enough to win the game for the Greeks, who were backed by a large following of supporters at the San Siro.

With Anorthosis Famagusta being held to a 2-2 draw by Werder Bremen, the result lifts Henk Ten Cate's side above the Cypriots into second place in Group B, meaning they only have to draw their final group game against Anorthosis next month to qualify.

Inter go through to the second phase despite the defeat.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho granted Luis Figo his first start of the season in a very narrow formation without any wingers.

This forced the game to be congested in the midfield and, while it largely snuffed out the Greeks, it did not leave the home side much room for creation either.

It was hardly a surprise, therefore, that the first half left a lot to be desired.

Panathinaikos had the better of only a handful of chances with corners providing their best hope of scoring.

Gabriel, Giannis Goumas and Simao all went close from set-pieces.

Adriano hit the post in the 11th minute for the home side, but play had already been halted for offside.

Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke the offside trap to latch onto a clever chip from Esteban Cambiasso before lifting his shot onto the roof of the net.

Mourinho introduced Ricardo Quaresma for the second half and this gave the Nerazzurri the width they had been crying out for.

The game was finally able to open up with the first shots of the game actually hitting the target.

Maicon was the first in the 52nd minute, hitting a powerful 25-yard drive straight into the waiting arms of Mario Galinovic.

The next shot on target went Panathinaikos' way and, in the 69th minute, they took the lead.

Again it came from a corner and the ball was headed at goal by Goumas.

Julio Cesar made the save, but could only parry the ball to the feet of Sarriegi, who beat him at his near post from close range.

The visiting fans, who practically outnumbered the home supporters and certainly were making more noise, were sent into delirium.

Mourinho reacted by sending Mario Balotelli and Julio Cruz on to finish the game with four strikers.

They threw everything at the Panathinaikos goal with Quaresma's cross just too high for Adriano to head in from point-blank range.

But they were frustrated by the away team's defensive strength and their own inability to find a telling final ball.

They still almost stole an equaliser in injury time when Julio Cruz's header was tipped over the crossbar at full stretch by Galinovic, but Panathinaikos held on for a memorable and deserved win.