Sunday, November 12, 2006

Inter - the new Juve?

With the Bianconeri safely shunted down to Serie B somebody had to take on the role of pantomime villain in the top division. After watching their late show against a battling Parma side, could it actually be Inter?

How ironic it would be after all their bickering and moaning and dossier compiling over the years if the Nerazzurri were to turn into their arch-enemies. The first thing they have done is sign up a couple of Juve's more objectionable players - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira. Ibra's goal celebrations are the kind of thing that would make even a mild-mannered father of two (never mind me!) leap up and try to slap his face through the television. While Vieira's mastery of the elbow, shunt, kick and trip are second to none.

Now, however, Inter also seem to have added the 'Culo' factor so long thought to be the reserve of the residents of Turin. Up pops Julio Cruz after a good save by De Lucia to give them three points they scarcely deserved. And Maicon's celebrations, goading the Parma fans, were something we could all have lived without.

Maybe you always need a baddy. Maybe a team that wins a lot just becomes dislikeable. Inter should win the league this season by a mile but I am becoming more and more convinced that I would really rather they didn't. It used to be "Tutta l'Italia contro la Juve" but I suspect most of Italy - especially juventini - would like to see Inter contrive to lose out somehow this year.

5 comments:

martinobhoy said...

I thought spangly princess would have been in by now to challenge your "Inter likely to win it by a mile" claim.

ginkers said...

They should win it by a mile but knowing Inter they might well contrive not to. They have gone nearly 20 years without winning the Scudetto on the field of play...

Red said...

Off topic: Did you watch Imagine last night, that Alan Yentob programme? It followed the day-to-day life of museum security guards, including a guy from the Uffizi. They showed highlights of a football match between the Uffizi and the Musei Vaticani. The Romans won... 7-0.

Spangly Princess said...

well... 'on paper' Inter really ought to win, but then we could say that every year. Inter's ability to snatch humiliation from the jaws of victory is legendary and unrivalled.

I would say: yes Roma have a decent shot, but am fearful of overconfidence and hexing and complacency and am far too superstitious to predict we'll win. Otoh, I think a lot of giallorossi are feeling, se non ora, quando? if we can't do it this year we're not the club we aspire to be. but even typing that makes me anxious.

ginkers said...

My biggest concern is that Inter are capable of grinding out results whatever team they put out. An injury to Totti would cripple Roma more than any single player being sidelined at Inter.

Red

I didn't see the programme but I was disappointed to hear the Uffizi lost. Mind you, practicing in that tight courtyard must have counted against them...