A lack of width and an inability to convert what few chances they had were the characteristics of Inter's game. The visitors defended resolutely and could even have sneaked all three points themselves.

It took Inter 18 minutes before they threatened the Brescia goal, when Emanuele Filippini cleared Laurent Blanc's header off the line following a Alvaro Recoba corner.

In the 25th minute Brescia had a chance themselves, when a free kick by Roberto Baggio, who played for today's opponents last season, went over the wall and dipped delightfully, forcing Inter keeper Frey to leap before tipping the ball over the bar.

In the 35th minute Brescia even put the ball into the Inter net, when Massimiliano Esposito flicked the ball past Frey, but the goal was ruled out because of offside.

Inter coach Tardelli peplaced Clarence Seedorf with Brocchi early in the second half in an attempt to give Inter some width, but still they persisted in trying to play it through the middle where the Brescia defence stood firm.

Hakan Sukur came on for Gresko in the 65th minute and 15 minutes later he had a great chance to score when the ball fell to him at the far post after a Recoba corner, but he fired into the side netting.

Zanetti made a good run into the box with four minutes remaining but he cut it back to Christian Vieri who appeared to have left his shooting boots at home this afternoon.

Baggio fired a free kick over the bar in the second minute of injury time, but the match seemed destined to remain goalless.

Inter were booed off the pitch by the home fans as the result leaves them 11th in the table, just three points above the relegartion zone.

ÿ