View from Section 234: when I said ‘Festival of Football’ that was for the neutrals
. I seriously thought the game was going to go away from us badly at one point. Everyone was in such a party mood we didn’t expect the Bergamaschi to turn up: their fans didn’t, for some reason. They had absolutely no-one in the away section. What was all that about? At least it’s a day out versus a team you thrashed earlier in the season.
It all started out so well. 1-0 up in 6 minutes and playing probably the best football I’ve seen at home this season. When you see Figo play like that you almost wonder why he’s retiring. Definitely good enough for the Prem. Bolton, perhaps? He worried Atalanta for the whole of the time he was on, with his cross leading to the first goal.
Muntari. Every time I try and slag the guy off he comes up with a game where he plays a blinder. Does he secretly listen to me? Do I have that influence? I hope so. Maybe I can work on Jimenez…
A free header for Doni? I’d like to see the stats for the goals we’ve conceded this season, especially from headers. I’m sure we used to be much stronger in the air, maybe when Matrix was playing. I dunno. It punctured the atmosphere for a while, I can tell you. Never mind, a little while later Ibra scored and everything was alright in the world again – ‘Chi non salta e rossoneri, ale, ale!’
. It doesn’t matter who we’re beating but it’s always the anti Milan song that gets aired. Does the same happen for Milan? We worry about them too much.
Stunning equaliser, though from Cigarini, with the crowd wondering, ‘what the hell happened there?’. What else can you say about it?
Figo got a superb send off from all the players on the pitch and the crowd just before half time. Even Jose came all the way on to the pitch to see him off. People in Madrid and Barcelona may have called him a merc but he gave each team 5 years, 4 for us. Looked quite emotional, too. I think he’s going to be an ‘ambassador’ for the club, in the Leonardo manner. Don’t think he’ll be a coach though.
But wait: a free kick for Atalanta. And a superb goal by Doni. JC never got close. Doni should have played for bigger teams, I would have loved him to have played for us. He would have been a more consistent Recoba. And he looks just like my mate, Ruben, who also happens to come from the Bergamo area.
Atalanta could have won this game, they were very good. I can’t understand why they finished mid table. They should have been in the Europa Cup at the very least. But we never give up. NON MOLLARE MAI! Thank god for Cambiasso. For me, El Cuchu is the best player we have bought in the last 10 years. Forget Ronaldo, Vieri, Ibra and the rest, he has the heart of a lion and he’s a stayer. He will be an Interista till the day he dies. Like Henry is a Gooner.
Unlike Ibra. Great, great player without doubt. But why doesn’t he want to be loved? You sometimes have to give something more than just goals and skill. You have to give your heart. Like Cambiasso, like Zanetti, even like Stankovic. Then we will forgive all your ‘indiscretions’. Then again, nice goal to win it and get Capocannoniere
. The stadium erupted for that one, party time could really commence. Like I said, great game for the neutrals.
Who first brought their kids on to the pitch after winning a cup or championship? Was it Chelsea in the Vialli days? Whoever it was has a lot to answer for. The podium and blue (!) carpet were set up for the presentation of the Scudetto. When each player was announced he started up the carpet and was first greeted by his children. Seemed to be a competition as to who could carry the most kids, won by Muntari with three toddlers in his arms. Then just before they reached the podium they were dumped on the WAGS or childminders. Very family orientated spectacle but the single guys stood out like a sore thumb (poor David Santon, maybe he could have found a girlfriend to give a piggyback
). Viera's two boys looked very obedient. I reckon he calls one 'Roy' and the other one 'Keane'
.
One last thing: what happened to the usual stadium announcer? Normally, when the players are introduced it’s with a great flourish, nicknames, crowd participation and everything. But he wasn’t there and the announcements were very anaemic. No Inter theme tune and no celebration tune after each goal. There weren’t even any fireworks or ticker tape at the presentation. Credit crunch? Ibra’s wages taking all the money? Who knows, but the atmosphere was slightly flatter without it. God bless the Curva for non stop singing.
So that’s it. I’d love to talk about all the other players on show but I’m actually home from work sick with food poisoning (did it to myself, don’t ask). On now to a summer of B.S. transfer talk from agents, players and the media. Can’t wait
.
Was it all you wished for, Bobo?
_________________
My Jamaican missus trying to describe Amy Winehouse the other day: "What's the name of that coke head woman who went to St Lucia?"
.