Inter takes the Europa League. We still don't know if with fourth, fifth or sixth place, but in the meantime the goal of returning to the cups has been achieved. But last night's 4-1 against Lazio will go down in history for other reasons. Javier Zanetti, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, three Nerazzurri heroes bid farewell to the San Siro crowd. Logical and right that the spotlight goes above all on the Captain, 856 appearances with the Inter shirt, 1 Champions League, 5 Scudetti, 4 Italian Cups, 4 Italian Super Cups, 1 Uefa Cup and 1 Club World Cup in his palmares. A match within a match for him, followed with emotion and affection by all of San Siro.
That same stadium that later, after the match, remained silent listening to the announcement that everyone was waiting for. “A beautiful career ends for me with a shirt that I really love – he explained with shining eyes. – I want to thank my family, Moratti, Thohir and all my teammates. Now a new phase in my life is opening, I can't tell you if I'll be good as a manager too. But I can say that I will defend Inter, just like I did on the pitch." In short, a great celebration, the result of an important victory. And to say that things, in a crowded San Siro but without the Curva Nord, had started badly, very badly indeed.
Not even two minutes into the game and Lazio took the lead with Biava, free to take advantage of a side from Dias in the middle of the distracted Nerazzurri rearguard. It can be a heavy blow on a psychological level, but Inter have the merit of cashing it in a big way. On the other hand, even in a context of the game that is anything but exciting, there are some individuals who stand out thus making the higher technical rate count. Above all Kovacic, finally on the field with continuity, who grows exponentially match after match. Yesterday's was without a doubt his best game in the Nerazzurri shirt, made up of three assists (!) and numerous signature plays.
The first arrives in the 6th minute and has the merit of getting the game back on its feet: through ball for Palacio, rapacious touch from the Argentine and 1-1. San Siro revives as well as Mazzarri, loudly booed by most of the fans despite the official confirmation of Thohir. Kovacic is very inspired and in the 34th minute he gives away a real jewel: his assist for Icardi is brilliant and Maurito just has to push it into the net. Lazio sbraga and 3 minutes later also collects the third goal from Palacio, relentless as always in front of goal. Practice completed in a while and so Mazzarri can finally do what everyone expects of him: send Zanetti onto the field.
The Captain hides his emotion well and plays 40 minutes of good intensity, embellished by a couple of descents on the right that cause a lot of teary eyes. Lazio, however, does not give up and creates many problems for Handanovic, who must overcome Keita, Biava and Felipe Anderson. A seal is needed and fate wants Hernanes, the ex par excellence of the challenge, to put it. The Brazilian scores with a nice left footed shot, San Siro can start the party. The Europa League is reached, now we can really start thinking about the future.
