Inter Shame

It has been a thrill to watch Inter's disastrous fall from grace this season. The team I had originally touted as the strongest in Europe with Champions League title well within their grasps, they have spectacularly self-combusted after the January break.

Failure against Liverpool, Roberto Mancini's mind games with the club, fans, and players, injury after injury, and above all else, an obvious drop in form and determination from it's players. This was all highlighted last week when Inter were awarded a penalty within the late stages of the match. Cruz was the designated kick taker, but Marco Materazzi emerged from the back and hell followed with him. He wanted the spot kick. He wanted to score the goal that would hand Inter the title. (What is really important to note, is that Materazzi also scored a penalty in the same fixture last season to award Inter the title; he had ALREADY received the glory!) But that wasn't enough to 'The Matrix'. He wanted to do it...twice. This could be a testament to how little the players actually thought of winning the scudetto with a point docked Milan and a Juve-less Serie A. Moreover, how arrogant that gesture was and how perfectly it fit in with Inter's collapse.

Of course, Materazzi's penalty was saved. With teammates furious, the coach furious, and the owner furious, how many friends does Materazzi have left? If Inter lose the scudetto on the final day of the campaign I feel Materazzi will have to move on. He will probably have to leave the country to avoid the harsh ridicule and criticism which will likely follow him to his grave. That is only supposing Inter fail to clinch the championship. If they do win this Sunday, most Inter fans (like usual) will try and block out the bad moments of the season and relish the fact that they are champions.

Yet, I will always look back on the the second meeting between Roma and Inter when Roma were up by a goal, only to see Mexes controversially sent off and Inter to equalize through Captain Amazing, Javier Zanetti. With Inter only ahead by one point, those moments become season deciding moments.

My biggest dilemma is deciding which game to watch on Sunday...

Mancini's Feint

After Inter was knocked out of the Champions League in the first knock-out round—again—coach Roberto Mancini announced this would be his final season with the Milan club. The club and players were confused, especially since, earlier this season, Mancini signed a four year contract extension.

Within 24 hours of Mancini's declaration, he reneged. He claimed his earlier comments were the result of being too upset and emotional from being dumped out of the prestigious competition yet again. He would not be leaving. But this raises the question: is it his decision anymore?

Inter and its fans have been anxiously awaiting European victory since 1965. President Massimo Morratti has been trying to assemble a world class team to repeat the feat of 1965.

In the wake of Calpocioli scandal, Inter have become Serie A's giants. They were awarded the 2005/06 Scudetto when Juventus were found guilty of match-fixing shenanigans. They captured the 06/07 Scudetto in a Juventus-less Serie A and with an A.C. Milan suffering from a points penalty. This season, they are in first place, a slim six points ahead of A.S. Roma. But despite their success in Italy, they do not seem to have the right frame of mind for UEFA's top club tournament. Strong on paper, this team has consistently failed to come through in big games

With regards to the latest tie with Liverpool, I felt the two red cards, in each leg respectively, were unfair. I would have perferred an 11 v 11 battle in both legs. But I have no say on the matter (unfortunately). I do feel for Inter. but I can't help but view their accomplishments over the last three years as circumstantial. Their repeated exit from the Champions League may prove that they are not as strong many of us had believed.

Mancini's recent actions have no doubt affected the Inter locker room, where mutiny has already been brewing. Lucky for Mancini, captain Javier Zannetti backs his coach unconditionally. He has presumably kept the locker room in check. But even a great guy like Zannetti was no doubt shaken up by the fact his coach was ready to jump ship so quickly.

Now let's assess the Jose Mourinho factor. He is arguably the most important Portuguese figure in soccer today. He's also out of work and big team coaches are certainly feeling his breath down their necks. Mourinho has stated he will only sign with a big team with a president who will give him full support in his vision. Italy or Spain are his primary objective, he has said. Media reports of Inter President Morratti and Mourinho exchanging terms of affection to each other undoubtedly made Mancini sweat even more. After the Champions League failure, perhaps he thought it better to quit and keep his dignity. Unfortunately, that only works if you actually quit. Now it looks like he pulled the 'I Quit' stunt simply to hear some reassuring words from the president, team, fans, and media and to squash the Mourinho rumors. I feel that will not be the case. Mancini has effectively shot himself in the foot.

If he didn't want to quit Inter, he might have inadvertently gotten himself fired.