Stam steals the show

By Ivan Carvalho at the San Siro

On the eve of their UEFA Champions League derby with AC Milan, FC Internazionale Milano coach Roberto Mancini suggested there would be few surprises in store. The two clubs, he felt, had too much of an intimate knowledge of each other, thanks to their frequent tussles in Serie A, not to mention the long list of players who have worn both jerseys. So it was all the more ironic that a derby debutant, Jaap Stam, should walk on to the pitch and steal the show.

Stam dominates
The 32-year-old Dutchman, who has been sidelined repeatedly this season with injury problems, featured prominently throughout the evening at both ends of the field. Playing in central defence alongside a below-par Alessandro Nesta, as Paolo Maldini returned to his left-back role, Stam policed the back line with authority as Inter started at a higher tempo. It was Stam and the ever-alert goalkeeper Dida who ensured Inter's early attacking runs and set-pieces were thwarted.

Inter chances
The opening period seemed to mirror February's Serie A derby between the two sides. Inter had the better of the early chances thanks to a pair of searing free-kicks from Sinisa Mihajlovic and Juan Sebastián Verón, but Dida was equal to the task on each occasion.

Imposing Dutchman
All the signs appeared to point to Inter finally breaking through after eight games without a win against their city rivals dating back to March 2002. But every time they got a good look at goal, the imposing Dutchman appeared to seal the cracks in the Milan defence.

Step ahead
Using his towering build to his advantage, the No31 kept tabs on Inter's dangerous Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins, who had started in place of the injured Adriano. The former Manchester United FC defender seemed to be a step ahead during the first half-hour, even though Inter were the side playing with more verve and intensity.

Fortress Stam
Unlike Inter, Milan did not seem to have benefited from having the weekend off, the gap in the Serie A calendar seemingly disrupting the joint-leaders' rhythm early on. Martins, whose pace Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti had highlighted as a threat, continually tried to round fortress Stam, but to no avail.

Opening goal
A lacklustre Milan managed only a single shot in the opening 45 minutes as Andriy Shevchenko looked to find his feet again after his lengthy injury absence. But as Milan stuttered, Stam filled the breach in the final attack of the half. As Andrea Pirlo flicked in his cross from a set-piece, Stam raced forward and timed his leap to perfection to beat Iván Córdoba to the ball. The resulting header was driven down to the right of goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, bouncing up into the net to make it 1-0.

Confidence lifted
Coming out after the break with their confidence lifted by Stam's strike, the Rossoneri then followed their game plan, absorbing pressure and dominating possession. Unhappy with Julio Cruz's contribution in attack, Mancini threw on Christian Vieri. But when the veteran striker found Martins down the left, again Stam answered Milan's call, snuffing out the Nigerian's run before denying him a corner.

Added comfort
Milan then gained added comfort, Shevchenko rekindling his excellent European form to make it 2-0 from a corner that Stam himself almost got on the end of. That forced Inter further forward as they searched for a vital away goal to take into next week's second leg, but the impressive Stam ensured the Milan defence did not buckle.