The second half was set to start. Inter were on the field. So was Gianluigi Buffon, jumping, stretching, sporting that outstanding black wool thing he keeps around his head to keep warm. His teammates were still in the dressing room. I only caught one shot of the Inter players on TV. Marco Materazzi was talking to a teammate. I don’t remember who. (One of of Inter’s biggest problems right now: the players are faceless). He looked nervous, scared even. Yes, I am judging him with hindsight: Materazzi went on to play what was probably the worst second half of his professional soccer career.
Eventually, Juve arrived. They looked pumped. Did Juve gain a psychological edge by delaying the game? I’ll leave that for the pundits. All I know is this: Juventus destroyed Inter in the second half.
First goal, less than five minutes in: Juve takes a quick free kick from the halfway line, out right to Camoranesi on the wing. His stupid and amazing ponytail flies in the air as he sprints toward the goal. The Inter defenders stand like their feet have been nailed to the cross. Then Julio Cesar makes a really stupid mistake: As he comes out to play Camoranesi, he raises his hand. He even turns his head to the left to see if the hand had any effect. The linesman keeps his flag down. No offside, according to him. Camoranesi slots the ball between Cesar’s falling legs. Goal.
Note to Julio Cesar: You’re a great keeper. You single-handedly kept the score respectable today. I even like when you grow that perverted mustache. But here’s the thing: YOU’RE NOT THE FUCKING LINESMAN. Play the ball, not the call. (And yes, I know Camoranesi was offside. Doesn’t matter.)
See Buffon would never have done that. In the first half, Chivu took a great free kick, but Buffon stretched left and knocked it out for a corner, one of those Buffon stops that no one else makes. He also made some excellent saves after the whistle had gone. On several occasions, he did that amazing thing where he’s holding the ball between his bicep and his armpit and presses down on the air, the universal sign for “calm the fuck down.” I love Gigi Buffon.
Del Piero spun around Materazzi, like what, four, five times? One of the Serie A TV commentators suggested this was the best game Del Piero had played in years. (When the game was over, the commentator called it “another great advert for the Serie A.” He says that pretty much every week. If there’s any truth what he’s saying, then when I’m watching Serie A TV, I’m watching advertising for 90 minutes straight.)
Del Piero created a lot of excitement, for sure. But his free kicks were awful (which, to be fair, the commentators did point out). And he missed two easy ones. I mean, all credit to him for getting into those positions. But if you don’t score, it counts for nothing. Nothing. Got that?
Del Piero’s assist on Trezeguet’s second goal, that counted for something. Edge of the Inter box, he plays a lovely backheel past Burdisso’s useless head. A charging Trezeguet bombs it past Cesar with his left. Then he jogs the long way around the Inter net toward the Bianconeri supporters with a giant, golden smile on his face. Del Piero leaps onto the Frenchman’s back with the joy of an eight-year-old and eventually the whole team is doing the Huddle-and-Pat.
Inter got a late one from Maniche, who also rung one off the post. Don’t be fooled, though: Maniche still sucks very much.
So what’s wrong with Inter? Poor managing (why play Burdisso in central defense and Chivu in midfield)? A little bit of of bad luck. Morale. And of, course, injuries.
Which injuries are hurting them most? Easy: Samuel and Cordoba. When Cordoba went down, Inter began to unravel. The World Cup fire has go
ne out in Materazzi. Burdisso is NOT a central defender. Maxwell and Maicon play well on the flanks in attack, but they need strong, solid men in the middle to back them up.See, Ibra, Cruz and Suazo are not injured. Sure, Cambiasso was out today and yes, Inter missed him dearly. But Cambiasso played against Liverpool. He played against Genoa. He played against Roma. Samuel and Cordoba did not. No Viera, no Figo, no Crespo; no matter. Inter’s problem is in the middle of the back.
Your thoughts?
Match highlights (Italian commentary):
3 comments:
It was a terrific game with a resillient Del Piero. I literally had to check my calendar to verify that it was not, in fact, 1995.
Great performance. Unfortunate for Inter Milan that Camoranesi was not rightfully called offside. But even at the age of six you're constantly reminded to play the whistle. If Julio Cesar had focused on the task at hand and came out to meet Camoranesi instead of doing his 'hailing for a cab' impression he would have had a much better chance.
As for the commentators continually promoting Serie A. Serie A needs no promotion. It always serves up a high standard of soccer/football/calcio. I can think of a handful of games this season that were just as entertaining or more so. People need to open their eyes and stop being blinded by the mindless step overs of Cristiano Ronaldo.
I was putting together a piece yesterday, settling in to bash Cristiano Ronaldo. Then I checked his stats: 34 goals in 37 games. His step overs might be "mindless" but it's hard to argue with numbers.
I argue them all the time.
Yeah he is potent.
He has developed a lot over three seasons. And I do give credit to Ferguson who likely has had a tremendous effect on his development.
...But I hate him so much. I generally dislike show-boating players in general. But the numbers are speaking loudly.
I don't have to support him. But maybe I need to keep my mouth shut for now. Until I have fuel to start up again.
I'm banking that he will only have a few good seasons. Once age kicks and he slows down, he might be finished.
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