Champions League: Panathinaikos 0-2 Inter Milan

José Mourinho marked his return to the UEFA Champions with victory as goals in each half from Mancini and Adriano earned FC Internazionale Milano the points at Panathinaikos FC in Group B.

Tireless Ibrahimović
Almost a year to the day that Mourinho, who led FC Porto to the title in 2004, parted company with Chelsea FC, the tireless Zlatan Ibrahimović teed up Mancini on 27 minutes then substitute Adriano five minutes from time to put a smile on the face of the Portuguese coach whose side kicked off their UEFA Champions League campaign in commanding fashion. The closest Panathinaikos came was when Bryce Moon hit the crossbar shortly before half-time, but the resolve they showed after falling behind will at least be of some comfort to coach Henk ten Cate.

Inter warning
Ten Cate was Frank Rijkaard's assistant when FC Barcelona won the title in 2006 and was No2 to Avram Grant last season as Chelsea reached the final. Now in his first UEFA Champions League match as coach in his own right, he surprised home supporters with a much-changed lineup, starting Dimitris Salpingidis as the lone attacker in a safety-first 4-5-1 formation. After a sluggish opening Inter created the first real chance on 13 minutes when Maicon slipped Ibrahimović through on goal, only for the Swedish striker to roll an excellent chance harmlessly wide. The warning, though, had been sounded.

Mancini strikes
On 17 minutes Mario Galinović tipped Ricardo Quaresma's shot round the post, then punched away Ibrahimović's drive. Inter were beginning to find their way through with alarming regularity and a goal was not long in coming. Ibrahimović out-muscled Simão to the ball then got the better of both Giannis Goumas and Mikael Nilsson before sliding a pass into the path of Mancini who fired Inter deservedly in front on 27 minutes.

Moon shines
Panathinaikos, Greece's sole representatives in the competition this season, responded immediately with Júlio César forced to tip Moon's drive over the bar. It was a rare call to action for the Inter goalkeeper, but it signaled the start of a mini-duel between the pair. Moon's low strike was well held by the Inter goalkeeper on 38 minutes before another shot from the South African deflected off Marco Materazzi and on to the crossbar three minutes before the break. Moon's efforts offered hope to Ten Cate who had to replace the injured Giorgos Karagounis with Andreas Ivanschitz eight minutes before the break.

Adriano strikes
Ivanschitz proved the catalyst for some enterprising play from the home side in the second-half as Panathinaikos took the game to Inter. César blocked one strike from the Austrian international on 50 minutes and was then relieved to see Cleyton's shot curl just wide. He also had to be alert to keep out Ivanschitz's dipping free-kick on 68 minutes. As the game wore on, though, Inter tightened the screw, and added a second when Ibrahimović slipped Adriano through with five minutes to play. Panathinaikos next play Anorthosis Famagusta FC, who defeated their Greek rivals Olympiacos CFP in qualifying, while Inter welcome Werder Bremen to San Siro.

Taken from: www.uefa.com