Call them liberating tears! Claudio Ranieri's shiny eyes make more than a thousand words. Inter and their coach had an absolute need to get back to winning ways, especially four days before the match against Marseille, who will decide most of the season. The Nerazzurri left the Bentegodi with three golden points, and never mind if the game still left something to be desired, at least in the second half: there are nights when the result counts more than anything, and last night was one of them.
THE MATCH
This time no pretactics. Claudio Ranieri has decided to play the match as widely expected on the eve: 4-3-1-2, with Sneijder behind Milito and Forlan. Bench confirmed also for “senator” Cambiasso, the only surprise was the use of Zanetti in midfield, a move that proved to be successful. Unlike their last outings, Inter immediately started strong, so much so that after just 14 minutes they could already go ahead: handball by Acerbi in the area, a sacrosanct penalty. However, Milito allowed himself to be hypnotized by Sorrentino, making it clear once more (if there were still any need) that this is not the season for the Nerazzurri. This was confirmed a few minutes later, when Sneijder hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. Inaccurate and unfortunate, but still a good Inter. Who ran only one danger in the whole game, in the 42nd minute: Pellissier had the lead ball on his foot, but was unable to convert it, also because he was suspiciously disturbed by Lucio in the penalty area.
Inter in the second half were certainly less brilliant than in the first (the inputs of Pazzini and Cambiasso for Forlan and Poli were influential), but they had the merit of not conceding anything to their opponent. Despite this, however, opportunities disappeared and we had to wait for the 84th minute to see one worthy of note: Sneijder's free-kick rejected by Sorrentino, Cambiasso's tap-in directly in the away sector. But just when it seemed that Inter were facing yet another wasted opportunity to get back to winning ways, the advantage came: a corner kick and a winning header from Samuel. Not even time to celebrate and here is the second goal, the liberating one, with Milito ready to make amends for the mistake from the spot in the first half.
Many emotions, all in the final and Claudio Ranieri couldn't stand it: the liberating tears say a lot about the state of mind of the Inter coach. In short, a morale-boosting victory, in view of a European commitment that is worth a season. Marseille will arrive at the San Siro on Tuesday, who also lost yesterday (1-0 against Ajaccio, 4th consecutive defeat!) but who will be able to gain strength with the result of the first leg. It will take a company, but Inter can do it.
THE REACTIONS
Don't deceive the usual "British spirit" with which he presented himself in front of the cameras, Claudio Ranieri was as excited and happy as we haven't seen him in a long time: "The emotion at the end of the game? It was a wonderful emotion given how it was. I'm very happy with how it went and how my men reacted after the missed penalty. But now it's time to think about Marseille." Will a victory be enough to silence market rumors, which already see him with the suitcase in his hand? “I talk to Moratti every week, I have a good feeling with him. We know what we have to do, I'm serene and he sees that I'm lucid". By the way, the president was in the gallery yesterday. The last time he had followed Inter away in the league, it had been the night in Novara, with Gasperini's consequent sacking.
Someone had maligned for this, but yesterday evening things turned out differently and Moratti showed his satisfaction before leaving Bentegodi: “The result was very important, the team seemed to be growing, and on Tuesday there is a very important in the Champions League: this is what these two goals mean. Am I moved like Ranieri? No, not moved but I was very pleased because it was a time when everything wasn't working. But I'm glad to see him like this, it means that he cares. Now let's think about Marseille, we only need positive things. Refound at the end of the season? We will evaluate…”. First there is an eighth of the Champions League to play, which could really change the prospects.
