Cambiasso calls the tune for Inter

Obafemi Martins and Adriano will inevitably take many of the plaudits after FC Internazionale Milano took a step towards the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-1 win against Villarreal CF. However, it is Inter's new-found backbone that has eased their progress this term, with Esteban Cambiasso thriving as the midfield general.

Chorus silenced
Roberto Mancini's side were billed as red-hot favourites going into the first leg against competition newcomers Villarreal, and confidence reverberated through the terraces as fans united in a chorus of "C'è solo l'Inter" (There's only one Inter). They were quickly silenced after kick-off, however, as Juan Román Riquelme sliced open the home defence and after former AC Milan forward José María Romero had been denied, the lurking Diego Forlán pounced to tap in the rebound.

Absorbing opening
The local supporters' shock was mirrored by the reaction of many wearing blue-and-black shirts on the pitch, but in their midst, Cambiasso cut a calm figure. The Argentinian international simply returned to his mark and started over again, reverting to the brand of hard tackling and simple passing for which he is becoming renowned. Six minutes later, Adriano equalised after Villarreal failed to deal with a low centre. It capped a frenetic start, and that was Cambiasso's cue.

Cambiasso orchestration
The 25-year-old was soon orchestrating the Nerazzurri, tying up loose ends and snuffing out attacks with determined tackling in the centre of the park. Brazil-born Marcos Senna was performing a similar role for Villarreal but it was Cambiasso who dominated. His rat-a-tat exchanges with an increasingly cohesive Inter midfield left the Spanish team floundering, while feeding a penetrative forward line.

Midfield spine
It was little more than the Giuseppe Meazza faithful have come to expect since Cambiasso arrived in summer 2004, a trailblazer for what has become a well-beaten path from Real Madrid CF. Walter Samuel, Luís Figo and Santiago Solari have followed, but while Samuel has been steady, and Figo and Solari have oscillated between peripheral figures and match-winning figureheads, it is Cambiasso who has provided Inter with much-needed spine.

Tactical change
Injury to Alvaro Recoba deprived the Serie A outfit of their most creative presence just before the half-hour. The pacy Martins came on, and Mancini switched tactics, urging his full-backs forward with Cambiasso helping to plug the gaps left behind. Right-back Javier Zanetti thrived, surging upfield on three occasions to wreak havoc in the Villarreal back line, but going into half-time the score remained 1-1.

Inter mop
Martins changed that nine minutes after the restart and Inter were soon chasing what could have been a killer third. The Nigerian and Adriano were both denied by a combination of desperate defending and poor finishing, and as Inter drove forward, Cambiasso was frequently on hand to mop up Villarreal counterattacks. With 15 minutes remaining this endeavour almost gained greater reward when he turned over possession and fed Pierre Womé, whose cross was headed just wide by Adriano.

Second-leg favourites
Three minutes later the midfielder took matters into his own hands, breaking to drill a low shot goalwards. Sebastián Viera saved well, however, and Inter will take a narrow 2-1 advantage to El Madrigal next week. They will again start as favourites and, should they progress, the Nerazzurri will meet either Arsenal FC or Juventus in the last four. With Cambiasso pulling the strings, Inter could go all the way.