|
|
Calcio Debate: Inter All But Secure Another Scudetto – What We Learned From The Milan Derby
Carlo Garganese analyses Inter’s 2-0 victory at San Siro last night…
Jan 25, 2010 3:00:00 PM
By Carlo Garganese
Where do we start? Last night’s Derby della Madonnina is not the simplest game to analyse. As the saying goes, it was a match decided by details.
Inter came roaring out of the blocks to take a tenth minute lead through Diego Milito and threatened to run away with proceedings, as they overpowered their opponents until the controversial red card of Wesley Sneijder just shy of the half-hour mark. For all the refereeing decisions that some say have gone Inter’s way over the last few years, this really was a taste of their own medicine. A shocking decision by referee Gianluca Rocchi, who issued a straight red for verbal and ironical dissent.
This completely altered the direction of the match as Milan took command and Inter played on the counter-attack. The Rossoneri created the chances to equalise, and Marco Borriello was particularly profligate, while Ronaldinho probably should have won a penalty before half time for a Maicon handball. Had Milan levelled, it is likely they would have gone on to win.
Inter occasionally threatened on the break, with Pandev hitting the post when through on goal, but it was totally against the run of play when the Macedonian doubled the advantage with a free kick on 66 minutes. Nelson Dida was undoubtedly to blame as he lost sight of the ball, something that didn’t impress former Milan goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini – watching the game in the same restaurant as me – who bellowed out the beginning of an Italian insult: “Porco!”.
Pandev’s strike cut off Milan’s legs, meaning that Lucio’s red card in injury time and Julio Cesar’s consequent penalty save from Ronaldinho were academic. Inter had earned themselves the city bragging rights, and probably a free ride to their fourth consecutive Scudetto on the pitch as they now lead Milan by nine points, having played a game more.
What we ultimately learned from this game is that Inter are still comfortably the best unit in Serie A. They have deficiencies, but they are consistently strong in each department and have no barefaced weaknesses. Unlike Milan, who were made to pay for their shortcomings.
In the days leading up to the derby, I wrote a debate in which I made it very clear that unless Alessandro Nesta was passed fit Milan would struggle to win. The legendary centre back didn’t play, and the Rossoneri always looked like conceding. A back five that includes Ignazio Abate, the 38-year-old Giuseppe Favalli, Luca Antonini (although he played reasonably well) and goalkeeper Nelson Dida is not Scudetto material. Abate made a disastrous mistake in the build-up to Milito’s opener, Dida blundered on Pandev’s free kick, and there was simply too much for Thiago Silva to do on his own.
Rino Gattuso should never have started – the 32-year-old’s legs have gone – and he was run ragged in the first half. Only Sneijder’s red card and a half time substitution spared him any further embarrassment. Gattuso handicaps Milan in games such as these, while there is no doubt that the ‘away’ side missed the pace and explosiveness of Alexandre Pato too – even if David Beckham did provide two world class crosses that could have led to goals. Inter were far superior athletically and physically. They were also hungrier.
Julio Cesar’s performance may possibly have seen him nip ahead of Gianluigi Buffon again in the unofficial best goalkeeper in the world rankings. While the Juventus man was unbeatable at the beginning of the season, the Brazilian turned in a man-of-the-match display last night with a string of fine stops.
Inter’s strike force of Goran Pandev and Diego Milito was lively, and the pair seem to have struck up an impressive understanding. Samuel Eto’o beware! I really cannot speak highly enough of Milito, who surely has to be the most under-rated striker in world football.
The Argentine is so much more than just a penalty box poacher, he is intelligent, technical, both footed, deceptively quick, with excellent awareness. If I were Diego Maradona, he would be my No.9 for Argentina. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero creating, ‘The Prince’ could score a hatful at the World Cup.
Some other things we learned last night:
Andrea Pirlo needs to hand over free kick duties. The only time the 30-year-old ever goes close to scoring any more is when his free kicks are deflected Frank Lampard-style. David Beckham or Ronaldinho would surely do a better job.
Esteban Cambiasso is the Gary Neville of Serie A. Winding up opponents with hand signals, ratting on them to the referee, and generally being a police informant. Is this the reason Maradona snubs him for Argentina?!
Jose Mourinho is back to his magnificent, charismatic best just in time for Chelsea. Self-glorifying to the extreme, The Special One pointed at himself while taking all the credit for Goran Pandev’s free kick, and conducted the Inter fans in the closing stages.
David Beckham is still the best crosser in the world. While he was quiet for most of the game, Becks whipped in two fantastic crosses in the second half. One of these should have been headed home by Marco Borriello to level the game.
Carlo Cudicini doesn’t like Inter!
Inter came roaring out of the blocks to take a tenth minute lead through Diego Milito and threatened to run away with proceedings, as they overpowered their opponents until the controversial red card of Wesley Sneijder just shy of the half-hour mark. For all the refereeing decisions that some say have gone Inter’s way over the last few years, this really was a taste of their own medicine. A shocking decision by referee Gianluca Rocchi, who issued a straight red for verbal and ironical dissent.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
This completely altered the direction of the match as Milan took command and Inter played on the counter-attack. The Rossoneri created the chances to equalise, and Marco Borriello was particularly profligate, while Ronaldinho probably should have won a penalty before half time for a Maicon handball. Had Milan levelled, it is likely they would have gone on to win.
Inter occasionally threatened on the break, with Pandev hitting the post when through on goal, but it was totally against the run of play when the Macedonian doubled the advantage with a free kick on 66 minutes. Nelson Dida was undoubtedly to blame as he lost sight of the ball, something that didn’t impress former Milan goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini – watching the game in the same restaurant as me – who bellowed out the beginning of an Italian insult: “Porco!”.
Pandev’s strike cut off Milan’s legs, meaning that Lucio’s red card in injury time and Julio Cesar’s consequent penalty save from Ronaldinho were academic. Inter had earned themselves the city bragging rights, and probably a free ride to their fourth consecutive Scudetto on the pitch as they now lead Milan by nine points, having played a game more.
What we ultimately learned from this game is that Inter are still comfortably the best unit in Serie A. They have deficiencies, but they are consistently strong in each department and have no barefaced weaknesses. Unlike Milan, who were made to pay for their shortcomings.
In the days leading up to the derby, I wrote a debate in which I made it very clear that unless Alessandro Nesta was passed fit Milan would struggle to win. The legendary centre back didn’t play, and the Rossoneri always looked like conceding. A back five that includes Ignazio Abate, the 38-year-old Giuseppe Favalli, Luca Antonini (although he played reasonably well) and goalkeeper Nelson Dida is not Scudetto material. Abate made a disastrous mistake in the build-up to Milito’s opener, Dida blundered on Pandev’s free kick, and there was simply too much for Thiago Silva to do on his own.
Rino Gattuso should never have started – the 32-year-old’s legs have gone – and he was run ragged in the first half. Only Sneijder’s red card and a half time substitution spared him any further embarrassment. Gattuso handicaps Milan in games such as these, while there is no doubt that the ‘away’ side missed the pace and explosiveness of Alexandre Pato too – even if David Beckham did provide two world class crosses that could have led to goals. Inter were far superior athletically and physically. They were also hungrier.
Julio Cesar’s performance may possibly have seen him nip ahead of Gianluigi Buffon again in the unofficial best goalkeeper in the world rankings. While the Juventus man was unbeatable at the beginning of the season, the Brazilian turned in a man-of-the-match display last night with a string of fine stops.
Inter’s strike force of Goran Pandev and Diego Milito was lively, and the pair seem to have struck up an impressive understanding. Samuel Eto’o beware! I really cannot speak highly enough of Milito, who surely has to be the most under-rated striker in world football.
The Argentine is so much more than just a penalty box poacher, he is intelligent, technical, both footed, deceptively quick, with excellent awareness. If I were Diego Maradona, he would be my No.9 for Argentina. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero creating, ‘The Prince’ could score a hatful at the World Cup.
Some other things we learned last night:
Andrea Pirlo needs to hand over free kick duties. The only time the 30-year-old ever goes close to scoring any more is when his free kicks are deflected Frank Lampard-style. David Beckham or Ronaldinho would surely do a better job.
Esteban Cambiasso is the Gary Neville of Serie A. Winding up opponents with hand signals, ratting on them to the referee, and generally being a police informant. Is this the reason Maradona snubs him for Argentina?!
Jose Mourinho is back to his magnificent, charismatic best just in time for Chelsea. Self-glorifying to the extreme, The Special One pointed at himself while taking all the credit for Goran Pandev’s free kick, and conducted the Inter fans in the closing stages.
David Beckham is still the best crosser in the world. While he was quiet for most of the game, Becks whipped in two fantastic crosses in the second half. One of these should have been headed home by Marco Borriello to level the game.
Carlo Cudicini doesn’t like Inter!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Discover football's best & worst pledges
Goal.com takes a look back at some of the best and worst promises made by members of the football fraternity over the years
-
Spain's Euro 2012 hopes hit hard by Villa blow
The Barcelona striker will be out of the continental competition after failing to fully recover from a broken tibia sustained in December's Club World Cup. He will be sorely missed
-
Cartoon: Drogba waves goodbye to Chelsea
The Ivorian confirmed his intention to leave Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after eight years at the club, meaning his final kick for the Blues sealed Champions League glory
-
Conte claims Serie A Coach of the Season award
The Italian led Juventus to the Scudetto with an unbeaten record and is deemed the best trainer on the peninsula by the readers in our end-of-term vote
-
All the players available for free in England
A host of big-name Premier League stars are out of contract at the end of the season and Goal.com gives you the top five bargains who will be snapped up for absolutely nothing
