Chapter 59 Who will carry the flag of Serie A?
Fiorentina won a victory away from home. In another game of the group at the same time, AC Milan also defeated Benfica at San Siro. Inzaghi and Pirlo, who recovered from injury, scored one goal respectively. Kaka sent two assists, and Benfica scored Ann near the end of the game. A ball of comfort.
The two Serie A teams fighting in the same room won respectively, and the other three Serie A teams participating in the Champions League have different fates.
Lazio, who was identified as the weakest, drew with the Greek giant Olympiacos 1:1 away and scored a point. Inter Milan, which claimed to have the most luxurious lineup in Europe, was defeated by Fenerbahce on the away game.
In addition to the three consecutive draws against Bayern and Valencia last season, Inter has lost four games in the Champions Cup, which should obviously not be the result of the Serie A champion and the most complete team in Europe.
This season, Inter Milan's start in Europe is very similar to last year. They all failed 0:1 in the first round. Last year they lost to Sporting Lisbon, and this year they became Fenerbahce.
Unlike last year, Inter Milan was not as bad as this year. Last year's goal loss only came from the opponent's long-range world wave. It can be said that the mistake lies more on the individual. This year, the overall disadvantage is the whole team, and it is very lucky to lose a goal.
After the game, Mancini attributed the reason for his defeat to the team's poor staff, but the absence of many people and the patchwork of the defense line could not be used as an ugly excuse.
As Inter captain Zanetti said after the game: "Don't complain about the absence, we also sent a combative team. The absence of players can't explain our failure and performance. We don't play well. That's enough to explain. I don't want to use any ugly words. All I can say is that we have no idea and no purpose. Maybe the players are also affected by the combination of the team's failure and the defense line that has never been used. To be honest, I think the first half was quite balanced. In the second half, Fenerbahce was better, faster and more determined. We made full use of the space on both sides. We left too much space and gave our opponents too many opportunities.
After the game, the media also pointed out that Mancini's pre-match arrangement and on-site command made a big mistake.
Mancini's repeated tone should be more balanced in the midfield and protect the backcourt more. He would rather choose to win the game with a passive and a counterattack goal, which shows that he is also worried about the defense and has the first responsibility for the passiveness of the scene. In the first half, Inter Milan has been suppressed by Fenerbahce and unable to breathe and attacked by his opponent. More than a dozen times, revealing too many problems, but Mancini's decision to replace Figo and Crespo was too late to attack.
Matchini is still stubborn: "Now I just want the future. If we play at a normal level in the next game, there will still be no problem in qualifying."
In addition to losing the game, the two quarrels between Inter have increased the internal consumption. Of course, this is the tradition of Inter Milan.
Moratti fiercely attacked Qiwo after the game: "He gave up voluntarily. He should have played this game. He knows our suspension. His appearance is not a matter of whether it is important or not, but a must. It is a question of respect for the club."
However, as the chairman of a club, it may be better to say it to the national team than to the players, let alone in front of the media.
Another discordant factor is Figo. After being replaced, Figo looked very dissatisfied and kicked the billboard angrily. Mancini was obviously annoyed by Figo's extreme behavior: "If you do this every time you are replaced, it can only be said to be his own problem. We talked about it, a few months ago, and the new season. He knows what I think, and I don't need to explain it anymore. I really don't understand whether he understands or not.
Inter Milan lost 0:1 away to Fenerbahce. Although the game is over, the story about the game continues.
At the beginning of the season, Moratti, who hoped that the team could make a breakthrough in Europe, was extremely disappointed with the defeat.
Inter Milan President Moratti, who watched the game, gave an interview after the game and admitted his disappointment: "Yes, I am very disappointed."
Moratti was outspoken, and then the president of Inter Milan analyzed the reason why the team played badly: "We can't blame the loss on the absence of several players. Every time people talk about individuals and tactics, in fact, these players on the field today can also do a good job. They are not Without ability, the important thing is that we should be more confident and concentrate. Of course, this is only the first game of the Champions League. We don't need to panic, but we must get back on track quickly, otherwise things will become more and more difficult. The absence of players is not the key. On the court, we still have a strong team. We still have five games to remedy it. We need to change our attitude and style. We must change and make progress, and as soon as possible. If it continues like this, we will have no chance at all. You can't be a little distracted on the European field.
After losing the game, Mancini returned to the locker room after the game and was also furious. Obviously, this defeat made him feel pressure. Although Inter Milan did a good job in the league, three games, two wins and one draw. This result is completely acceptable, but there is no way to make people full in the Champions League. His handsome position will still be shaken by his achievements.
At the post-match press conference, Mancini's face turned pale. He was under great pressure in the new season. Before the season, everyone praised Inter Milan's lineup, and the club also clearly put forward the goal of double crown. After the start of the season, the team did not play well due to injuries, fatigue and other reasons. Last night When Moratti was interviewed, some reporters had begun to ask Mourinho's questions, and now Mancini is really under pressure.
Mancini is under a lot of pressure. As the head coach of his opponent Fenerbahce, the Brazilian Zico was very proud after the game. It was originally a 0 or 1 point game, but now it has become 3 points: "We defeated Inter Milan in a special way. We don't give the stars of Inter Milan any space, if you give Ibrahimovic, Suyazo and Stankovic will give you a fatal blow immediately. Fortunately, we have controlled our opponents. People are expecting Inter Milan to do something in 90 minutes, so we are particularly careful. Although they have several main players to be suspended, their strength can To cause trouble to any team, what we have to do is to continue to put pressure on Inter Milan. The players have performed well on the field, and we have created many opportunities. I am very satisfied with the results!"
Zicco's pride made Inter Milan even more embarrassed. This unexpected failure made the whole team very crazy. In the second half, the last moment, the TV camera captured these pictures.
Mancini stood up and watched the game in the coach's seat. He didn't know what was going on on the court and slapped the aluminum board of the coach's seat angrily.
Cambiaso was fouled in an attack. He angrily grabbed the ball and opened his mouth and bit it.
This is indeed a true portrayal of the mood of the general of Inter Milan at that time. They were in the mood to win and were unable to recover. Although they were stronger than their opponents, they did not perform well in this game.
Although the score of this game is 0:1, the disparity of opportunities is surprising. In the whole game, according to the technical statistics after the game, the shooting ratio of Inter Milan is 17:4, 4 is Inter Milan, shooting directly in the goal frame, Inter Milan is only 1 time, the opponent is 6 times, and Inter Milan's possession time is also far behind the opponent. Hands.
This game can't help but remind people of the game when Cooper led Inter Milan to lose 1:2 to Valencia in Mestaria, but although they lost, Inter Milan eliminated their opponents with the away goal from the three-legged goal of the whole game, and this time in the group stage, Inter Milan did not Don't watch your opponent take 3 points.
Why is Inter Milan so unbearable in the league? The absence of several main players has a certain impact, but it will not be so big. Among the odds of William Hill Gambling Company before the game, Inter Milan's odds of winning the first place in the group are the lowest among the eight seeded teams, which shows that in William Hill's view Inter Milan's group is the least difficult, but Inter Milan is the only one to lose the eight-seeded team.
Is the level of Serie A declining?
Not exactly. After all, AC Milan, the fifth place in Serie A last season, was the champion of last season's UEFA Champions Cup. It can only be said that Inter Milan is indeed a "foreigner".
In the past, it can also be said that Inter Milan has focused too much on the league, but there is no excuse this season. Both Moratti and Mancini have made it clear that this year's focus is the UEFA Champions Cup, but many things have not changed.
After careful calculation, Inter Milan and European giants, even quasi-strong teams, had a poor record in formal and informal matches. Last season's Champions Cup was one draw and one loss against Bayern, one draw and one loss against Valencia, and Villarreal was eliminated with one win and one loss.
Inter Milan's "foreign war phobia" has psychological reasons. The self-confidence shown in European and domestic arenas is obviously different.
In addition, the weakness of the European war in the Mancini era may have nothing to do with his style of play.
Mancini's defense depends on the number of people, and the attack depends on the personal ability of the super striker. In the past, it is Adriano and now Ibrasimovic. Like Fiorentina, after relying on several players to pause the passing, he opened the goal. It is rare in Inter Milan, and Mancini's team relies more on players. After breaking through a space, personal ability can be passed and shot to solve the problem simply, or rely on personal abilities such as Adriano's lim riding, Ibrasimovic's flying legs, and Rekoba's full moon machete to solve the problem.
This may work for ordinary teams in Serie A, but in Europe, the opponent's level is generally improved, and relying on the ability of one or two people may not open the situation in the attack.
In defense, Inter Milan has always given their opponents a lot of opportunities. In the league, they have made five or five offensives against Udinese, and their victory over Empoli benefited from the magical save of San Tordo. Even in a game like Catania, Cesar also made two key saves.
The opponent can't seize the opportunity in Serie A. In Europe, Fenerbahce's ability to seize the opportunity is already poor.
How can Inter Milan improve its combat effectiveness in Europe?
I'm afraid it needs a spirit, a potential that will only be stimulated on the edge of the cliff. When Inter Milan lost two times in a row in the Champions League group stage last season, Inter Milan officially relied on this spirit to come back to the knockout stage. Under this spirit, players will focus more on the game and rely on more The running makes up for the problem of attack and defense.
And when qualifying against Valencia, Inter Milan lost this spirit because of blind optimism, which eventually led to a disease. How to keep this spirit at all times in Europe is the problem that Mancini really needs to solve.
In this game, regardless of the scene, data or result, Inter Milan suffered a complete failure. Maicon, Cordoba and Brdiso were banned, Materazzi and Zivo were injured, and there was a lack of Vieira in the midfield, so can the lineup be the biggest reason for Inter Milan's loss?
In addition to goalkeeper Toldo, Mancini only has three first-team players available on the bench, Figo, Crespo and Jimenez, but the starting 11 players are not discredited.
The four players from the back line, Maxwell, Samuel and Sanetti, are all famous stars, and only Colombian Rivas is a newcomer to the Champions League.
Although the midfield lacks Vieira, the two midfielders, Dakota and Cambiaso, have good defensive ability, and Solari and Stankovic have also done the backside work before. From a purely defensive point of view, this lineup can completely resist Fenerbahce's offensive.
But the actual scene was very ugly. In the first four minutes of the game, Ibrasimovic missed a long-range shot. Since then, Inter Milan has been completely suppressed by the home team. It was not until the end of the first half that Suazo completed the second shot. The game almost turned into a half-time offensive exercise of Fenerbahce. To be fair In the first 40 minutes of the disadvantage, Inter Milan's defensive performance was stable. Samuel's focus on Kaizman was relatively in place, and Rivas quickly adapted to the pace of the game, but just before the end of the first half, Inter Milan's defense suddenly collapsed.
In the 43rd minute, the frequently assisted veteran Carlos went to the front court again. He chose to break through in the middle. This change caused chaos in the defense at the front of Inter's penalty area. Two central defenders were forced to come out. Max Verne took up for the position. Carlos happened to grab the gap of Inter's left wing to pass the ball, Alex Solari, who got rid of the defense, formed a one-on-one with Maxwell. With only a simple fake move, Alex easily won the dialogue between the two Brazilians. He picked the ball from the bottom line and passed it back, and the unmarked David shot beautifully in the air.
The cooperation of three Brazilians tore up the Inter Milan defense, of which is of course the most critical link is that Alex breaks through Maxwell.
Maxwell's personal defensive ability was so awkwardly shaken in the penalty area. When he joined Atlanta in the winter, he immediately showed an excellent ability, but after Atlanta's success, the magic of the Brazilian full-back suddenly disappeared.
In addition to this goal, Fenerbahce launched many attacks from his side. Several threatening free kicks by Carlos and Alex came from Maxwell's defense area. If it hadn't been for Cesar's help, Inter Milan would have lost worse. At the last moment, Maxwell was defeated by Ale in the header defense. Kessli almost scored with a header and lost in the face of his compatriots.
Maxwell's shortcomings in defensive ability have long been exposed. Last season's Coppa Italia final defeat Rome 2:6, and his defense area was also dominated by Roman wolves**.
Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Mancini insisted that Chivo join and positioned him as a left-back, not a central defender that Romanians are used to playing in Serie A.
Whether Zivo's ability is suitable for left-backs, in Mancini's opinion, Zivo's defensive role is at least more useful than Maxwell's.
However, Mancini can't be blamed for letting Maxwell play left-back in this game. In the case of Ziwo's injury and many people were suspended, he really couldn't find a candidate. If there is Andreoli, maybe Sanetti can move to the left. If Cesar is on the UEFA Champions League list, he may be a slightly better candidate, if Mo Lati followed Mancini's advice to buy the Czech defense all-faceted Kovac, if there are too many, but the reality is cruel.
In addition to the weakness of individual ability, Materazzi's absence makes Inter's defense line less spiritual backbone. The characteristics of the new Rivas are similar to those of Cordova. He has an excellent judgment on the ground ball, and the air competition is still insufficient. He has been attacked by Fenerbahce many times. Various hidden dangers are superimposed. Inter Milan's Champions League group stage this season is full of difficulties.
In addition to Inter Milan's unexpected loss, there is another eye-catching detail in this game, Robert. Carlos met Inter Milan again in the 1995/1996 season, Robert. Carlos used to play for Inter Milan in blue and black players. Now in Istanbul, Carlos and his current owner Fennebach cut off the visiting former club Inter Milan 1-0 in the first game of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Carlos performed very well in the game, and it is completely impossible to see that he is a veteran who has entered the twilight of his career, which is obviously not the joy of his hometown.
The decision to let Carlos leave did not reduce the regret to Inter Milan, not only because they easily sold the Brazilians at that time, but also because they have not been able to find a substitute who can reach the same height as Carlos in 11 years since then. This game is just It was left-back Maxwell's poor mistake that caused Fenerbahce's goal.
It all began at the end of November 1994. The then president of Inter Milan was Peregrini, the head coach was Bianchi, and the sports director was Mariotini.
Paul, the young left-back of Inter Milan at that time. Tramezzani was injured and urgently needed someone to fill the vacancy on the left. At that time, as Christmas was approaching, Peregrini called his familiar reporters to ask them for recommendations.
So someone recommended to Peregrini: "I have seen a young man from the Pamelas Club, Robert. Carlos, in my opinion, he is very strong. If you want, I can show you a videotape.
The video shocked the senior management of Inter Milan, and they found that the young man was indeed promising. And then began to negotiate with the transfer.
Robert. Carlos was 21 years old at the time, and his contract with Pamelas had expired. Inter Milan offered him a three-year contract with a net income of 1 billion lire, which he readily accepted.
Everything can be done at the end of the season, and at that time, Inter Milan did not need to pay even one lira to Pamelas. However, after Christmas, Peregrini suddenly felt that after 11 years, he was tired of Inter Milan and football and decided to sell the club to Massimo. Moratti: The transfer negotiations began immediately, and on February 19 of the following year, the club officially changed owners.
After taking over the club, Moratti's next thing to do should be to sign a contract with this young Brazilian young man. But in the spring, Moratti's people said: We have to find the new players of the new Inter Milan.
Therefore, Carlos can only renew his contract with Pamelas and wait for other news from the other side of the ocean. Then came the America's Cup that summer. At the America's Cup, Robert. Carlos has shown his talent to the world.
Inter Milan, which has a fresh memory of Carlos, began to introduce him to Milan, and the deal was successful, but they paid 1.5 billion lira to Pamelas Club. The half-way aid cost, and Inter Milan obediently paid tuition fees.
Then, Robert. Carlos's season at Inter Milan was not satisfactory. In the 1995/96 season, Inter Milan's head coach was replaced by Bianchi to Suarez and then became Hodgson.
In the following season, Real Madrid, which had just hired Capello's Real Madrid, offered Inter Milan to buy Carlos, which was 13 billion lire, while Inter Milan sold Carlos, one of the world's strongest left-backs, for the next decade, with a profit of only 1.5 billion miles. Pull.
Time flies, 11 years later, and Inter Milan, who met Carlos again, still regrets it, which is still no less than 11 years ago.
In a word, Inter Milan lost, okay! No longer worry about this problem. Losing makes Inter Milan ashamed, but what makes them more ashamed is that Roma won.
Maybe the two teams have nothing to do with each other, but because one person, in an interview before the game, seemed to have a relationship. This reluctantly implicated relationship has made Inter Milan already lost a similar face, and there are few left.
The person who humiliated Inter Milan is still Mancini. In a previous interview, when Mancini talked about his colleague Spalletti, Mancini said quickly about the results of his several defeats leading Roma to the league championship: "When I talked to Spaletti He has to wear a handkerchief, because he is always crying.
Although Mancini later said that he did not intend to offend the other party, it still triggered a war of words between the two coaches.
Spaletti said: "Amniest among our coaches, it is better to keep all the remarks in the technical scope, not to involve anything else, otherwise the conversation may develop in a completely different direction. From a technical and tactical point of view, Roma and Inter Milan take two different paths, but both are excellent teams. Roma are ready to seek victory, and Inter Milan must win and have no other choice. In the summer transfer, they took away a player we wanted to keep from us, while Suazzo We also wanted him, but they won. If Mancini talks about the handkerchief, it may refer to the one he used in the last lost game. At that time, he said that he lacked left players.
The fact is the best answer. In the UEFA Champions Cup, Spalletti's Roma defeated Dina Mo Kiev 2-0, while Inter Milan lost 0:1 to Fenerbahce. Who knows better who should use a handkerchief?
Mancini coached Inter Milan for four years, Spaleti coached Roma for three years, and both of them made their own mark on their respective teams.
Mancini won an Italian Cup for Inter Milan in the first year, the second year was the Italian Cup and the league championship awarded to Inter Milan by the Football Association, and the third year was a real league champion in a competitive sense.
Roma won the Coppa Italia last season, and at the beginning of this season, they defeated Inter Milan and won the European Super Cup.
Both coaches completed some historic things respectively. Roma led by Spaleti set a record in Serie A with 11 consecutive victories in the 05/06 season, and his record was immediately broken by Mancini with 17 consecutive victories in the second season.
However, as Spalletti said, the two teams are taking different paths. Mancini's resources are far richer than Spalletti. In the two direct confrontations in the transfer market, Inter Milan took Zivo from Rome and Suazzo that Rome wanted. It is also for this reason that the two clubs want To make a difference, Rome reached the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup last season, which was the club's best result in 23 years in Europe, and Mancini brought Inter Milan to the quarterfinals even in the 04/05 and 05/06 seasons, which has been regarded as a loser and a popular after class.
Mancini's goal this season can only be to win the championship, the league championship or the UEFA Champions Cup, while Rome, as long as the Champions Cup enters the top four and the league enters the top three, Spalletti will have succeeded.
What's more, Roma is now ahead of Inter Milan in the league and the Champions League. Although the season is still very long, Rome has the capital to challenge Inter Milan from spirit to strength. It is still too early to talk about who will cry and who will laugh, who will use a handkerchief, but the pressure has reached Mancini's side. At least now, Spalletti is more comfortable than Mancini.
If Inter Milan in the first match of the Champions League is an ugly team, Roma is an extremely beautiful team. In 90 minutes, Roma basically controlled the game, Perota and Totti each scored a goal, Juan and Casetti also hit the post once each, and Jiuli also had a single shot. Dynamo Kiev did not have the team's only threatening shot until the second half.
This is Rome's fifth victory this season. From the Italian Super Cup to this Champions League, Roma won 5 games and scored 10 goals and 1 goal.
Last season, Inter Milan's strength in the league has almost become synonymous with Serie A. Moratti and Mancini have also said several times that the flag of Italian football will be carried by them.
"The old era has passed, and the next Serie A should be the era of Inter Milan. There is no doubt that we will become synonymous with Serie A."
Moratti was arrogant at that time and almost worshipped God and called him brother.
However, this season, the situation seems to be different. In the league, Inter Milan were two points behind Fiorentina and Rome, which ranked in the top two, and the Champions League was counterattacked by Fenerbahce and lost the victory.
Can they still carry this flag?
In the league, Fiorentina and Rome are behind. In the Champions League, Inter Milan is the only one of the five Italian teams that did not win.
No wonder Digan will sarcastically in an interview with reporters after returning to Florence: "If Chairman Moratti and Coach Mancini still feel that Inter Milan are qualified to carry the Italian football flag, we have no problem. We just hope that the great Inter Milan will not bring this flag to the abyss, no Now it seems that there is a complete possibility. Maybe it's time to hand over this flag. Inter Milan can't bear this responsibility. I don't think anyone will refute my point of view!"
Digan's ridicule has attracted countless Italian media to write about Inter Milan's weak performance in the European arena.
Although Moratti and Mancini are aggrieved, they have no way to refute. They dug the pits themselves. Now someone kicks them down and suffers themselves.
The media is like this. When you are proud, they never hesitate to compliment. When you are unlucky, it is simply delusional to want them to reach out and take a hand. What they will always do is to step on a hundred feet.
Inter Milan has become a negative model because of a failure, but the media cannot completely deny Italian football, which is to hit themselves in the face. Therefore, people need to establish a high-level image as a positive model for criticizing Inter Milan.
What other team can compare with Florence, known as the youth guard?