Calcio Italia (June 2007)

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Last Word SUSY CAMPANALE SPEAKS OUT

Congratulations to Inter, a truly dominant force in Serie A this season. Despite my status as a Milanista, I used to say that if we were not to get the title, then I would like the Nerazzurri to be crowned champions. After all, one does feel a form of affectionate pity for a squad that has been the butt of jokes for 18 years and expect a party like no other should their day finally come. I’m afraid to say I was wrong. In these last few weeks they have managed to fritter away nearly two decades’ worth of goodwill with some spectacular shows of arrogance, hypocrisy and very ungentlemanly conduct. What tipped them over the edge from lovable buffoons to the side everyone else loves to hate? Was it Roberto Mancini’s endless sniping at the media’s “prejudice” towards Inter? Or maybe President Massimo Moratti’s colourful language in the stands betraying the faççade of charming loser he has held up for all these years? Perhaps it was their apoplectic reaction to Adriano’s two-match ban for simulation – it seems the Beneamata despise cheating in all its forms except when they are caught diving to win a potentially title-deciding penalty. Here’s the rub – Inter’s Coach and players have spent their entire celebrations harping on about Calciopoli and the ‘fact’ that they would have had many more Scudetti had it not been for Luciano Moggi and Co’s system. I lost count of the number

of times the words fair, loyal and clean were used. And who was right in the thick of this maelstrom of easy morality? Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira. Surprisingly nobody thought to ask them if they felt this Scudetto counted any more for them than the two they won with Juventus. I doubt they’re in any hurry to scrub them off their CVs. Vieira in particular slammed Milan’s presence in the Champions League, wondering how it was possible they were allowed anywhere near the competition. As a player who had an integral role in the squad that was accused of fixing two titles, surely the Frenchman knows more than anyone else that the figures on the field are innocent parties? If the Rossoneri have been able to fight their way through penalties and preliminary rounds to achieve beyond what they did last term, then they merit respect rather than scorn for proving their true worth – just as Italy did in the World Cup. The events of Germany 2006 are fresh in the memory and put Italian football back in the news for all the right reasons, but here too the Federation has managed to squander all that goodwill in the bid for a Euro 2012 hosting gig. The arrogance of Antonio Matarrese, who said on that morning in Cardiff there was “no competition,” was astounding. Crowd trouble on the front pages, Calciopoli II investigation concluded days before the tournament was assigned and best of all the delegates for the Italian

Roberto Mancini and his Inter side pulled no punches in their Scudetto celebrations

committee were disgraced former FIGC President Franco Carraro and his ex-assistant, now President of the Federation himself, Giancarlo Abete. How better to show that Calciopoli had been dealt with than present the same old faces in positions of power? Next season Juventus will be back in Serie A and the points penalties expired. It’s a level playing field and Inter will have to work harder – and be a little humbler – if they want that popular goodwill back. Lord knows, nobody likes a sore loser – but a sore winner is even worse.

Next Month I t’s been a hectic 12 months in the world of calcio, with success and scandal coming in equal measures. We take a look back at an eventful 200607 season including a club-by-club review of the campaign. Find out who starred for your boys this term or where it all went wrong. Get the full story from every Division in our brilliant end-of-season issue with all the stats. Plus:

There’s no doubt that it’s been a successful season for Inter, but how did your team get on in 2006-07?

• BYE-BYE BILLY Costacurta chat

• PLAYER OF YEAR The winner is...

• WHO’S UP? And down

• AZZURRI ACTION Euro double-header

• TEAM OF SEASON XI of the best

Plus: Calcio Archives

John Pitonzo’s Florence Postcard Blast From The Past Susy Speaks Out Around The Peninsula Offside & Your Views

96 Calcio Italia June 2007
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