Monday, August 25, 2008

First blood to Mourinho


If this was the shape of things to come, then it should be a good season. Inter and Roma stood toe to toe in the San Siro last night with the Nerazzurri just coming out on top.

It looked like being a one-sided affair after Inter got ahead through Muntari and started to play with some composure. However, they never got the extra goals they needed and Roma hit back through a De Rossi screamer (Julio Cesar might have done better).

Then up popped Mario Balotelli late in the game to turn things Inter's way again only for Mirko Vucinic to equalise once more. The final twist came from the penalty spot with Francesco Totti missing what could have been the winner for Roma. Eventually, a Juan spot-kick was saved and Javier Zanetti converted the winner for Inter. At last, a nice advert for the Italian game. And a winning start for the Special One.

3 comments:

Antonio Gurrado said...

Inter thought they were stronger than last year, but it was Roma to be surprisingly weaker. I think we're going to have fun this season.

G.

Aussie Romanista said...

Do you think that Totti felt more pressure (and importance of the occasion/moment) when he stepped up for the penalty against Australia or when he stepped up for this penalty?

I would say that given his loyalty and love for Roma ahead of the Azzurri, the fact that Franco Sensi had just passed away and scoring the winning penalty would have been the perfect tribute, and that it was under the Inter curva, he felt more pressure here than in the world cup.

In any case, his double sideway step before taking the kick was unlike him.

ginkers said...

G

I hope it could be a really tight battle at the top this season. Maybe even with four or five teams fighting it out at the top.

AR

You may be right. He certainly looked more cool for Italy than he did on Sunday night. I would put it down to a lack of match sharpness more than anything else. And he didn't miss by much. Maybe he should have tried the old "cucchiaio"!