Archive for February 16th, 2009

Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan: ‘How to Put a Scudetto on Ice’ by José Mourinho (Serie A Matchday 24)

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic, left, celebrates with teammate Maicon after scoring, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and AC Milan and at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. (AP Photo by Carlo Baroncini)

Temperatura prevista per le 22:30, -11.

Translated: “Temperature forecast for 10:30pm: -11″. Those were the words exhibited by an Inter fan prior to this game, a clever (and prophetic) way to present the 270th Derby della Madonnina, the 56th (and last one) of Paolo Maldini’s career. And surely the Milan captain would have preferred a different outcome than tonight, a 2-1 victory which puts the Nerazurri 9 points above Juventus and 11 points ahead of their cousin rivals.

Too early to say “Scudetto race over”? Maybe, but not many points separate us from that conclusion. In the meantime, Serie A spectators Sunday enjoyed another vibrant, spectacular match, full of intensity and a perfect testimonial for Italian soccer worlwide. With the usual share (can’t do without it) of controversy, from ‘hand arm of God’ goals to non-given penalties.

(more…)