Il Grande Capitano saves Inter's undefeated run

He doesn't score very often. But boy his goals are always important!

Off the top of my head the most important of Javier ZANETTI's goals I would say was that against England in France 98. It was a set play. He stood by the wall in a free kick and got the ball. Turned and shot with his left foot to give Argentina a lifeline and the team eventually won on penalties.

Yesterday it was different. But the drama was there. Inter played host to Roma. The Nerazzurri were 9 points ahead of the team from the Eternal City and they needed to extend their fantastic run of 24 matches without defeat.

Francesco TOTTI gave Roma the lead and with only 2 minutes to go, it seemed like Inter were face to face with their nemesis. But Javier ZANETTI didn't accept that fate. He got a rebound outside the area and with 3 Roma players trying to stop him from kicking, Pupi sent a tricky shot towards DONI's right post and rescued Inter from a sure lose, while preserving the 9-point lead with 13 matches to go.

His celebration was up to the ocassion and he even had time to do one of his trademark runs in the 94th minute. After running for easily 50 or 60 metres, he was stopped by Simone PERROTA's elbow and generated a dangerous free-kick that ended up in nothing. It didn't matter for the Inter fans. They are over the moon with their captain and their comfortable lead that will most likely take them to their third Scudetto in a row.

Enjoy ZANETTI's wonderful strike with Italian commentary:



"MESSENTENARY"

Barcelona played Valencia in the Copa del Rey and even if he wasn't in the scoresheet, Lionel MESSI made the headlines by successfully playing his 100th match for the Catalan giants.

It was 1-1 with Xavi scoring for Barcelona in the dying minutes after David VILLA drew first blood.

Ever BANEGA played for Valencia and it's all to play for in the second leg to be played in Mestalla.