CSKA strike makes Ibrahimović 'top five'

Zlatan Ibrahimović was a relieved man after helping FC Internazionale Milano turn a 2-0 deficit into an exhilarating 4-2 victory against PFC CSKA Moskva, even finding a place in his personal "top five" for his spectacular second goal of the night.

Inauspicious start
Things were looking gloomy for Inter when Vágner Love fired his side into a two-goal lead just beyond the half-hour mark after Jô, as in Moscow a fortnight ago, had scored a wonderful opening goal. Inter retaliated quickly, though, as Ibrahimović gave the hosts a lifeline from close range. Esteban Cambiasso then scored twice either side of half-time to edge the Nerazzurri ahead, before Inter's No8 let fly from distance with a spectacular strike.

Crucial response
"We got off to a terrible start and it wasn't until we went 2-0 down that we finally woke up," said Ibrahimović. "Luckily, we managed to respond immediately and get back on level terms before half-time, which was crucial. Had we gone in at the break two goals down it would have been a very difficult second half. In the second half we played really well. The win was important and it makes us feel a lot calmer about qualifying."

'Belief'
Inter's third successive win keeps them top of Group G, a point ahead of Fenerbahçe SK and five clear of third-placed PSV Eindhoven with two matches remaining, but Ibrahimović was at pains to point out that it was no easy victory, saying: "We have a lot of injured players and have been playing loads of matches so the legs were feeling quite heavy. You could see that the team was tired but the most important thing was the win. It gives us hope for the future because winning gives you belief that you can push on."

'Top five'
CSKA must have still harboured hopes of restoring parity until the Swedish international lit up San Siro with a swerving right-footed screamer into the top right corner which left Igor Akinfeev helpless. Ibrahimović's 13th UEFA Champions League goal was a fitting way to conclude a dramatic contest. "Julio Cruz tried to play a one-two with me and I decided to hold on to the ball," explained the 26-year-old. "The defender followed the movement of the one-two expecting me to pass but I moved right instead and shot. Luckily it went in and it was a nice goal. I've scored some good goals in my career but that one is definitely in my top five."