Beaten, yes but what a way to be beaten! In this game, the team that we all know and love, went in and proved why they are worth loving. When the Croatian referee Bebek blew his whistle and started the game, Inter were down by three goals, after the brutal massacre at White Hart Lane, a week ago. Today’s game felt dead even before it had started. That wasn’t the case. Inter stood up and made an amazing impact. Even though we’re now out of the Europa League, tonight I’m walking home proud to carry Inter in my heart.
Inter were close to flawless against Tottenham, a team that proved seven days ago that they were the better team on all positions. Personally, I’d expected a weak attempt from Inter to save face, but instead The Nerazzurri showed Spurs what Calcio is really all about. Proper drama at the Giuseppe Meazza this night. The defense, with Zanetti, Juan Jesus and Chivu felt safe from the first minute. Even Jonathan did a good game. By Jonathan’s personal standards, he performed way better than anybody could ever expect. The midfielders did put up a hard fight as well were Walter Gargano got the chance to play in his own nature. Grit, hard tackles and winning the ball, simply because he wants it more than the opponent. I want praise Mateo Kovacic who was brilliant in his role on the center of the pitch. If Stramaccioni don’t give Kovacic more time in Serie A after this, I’ll have to question our management. Kovacic went down to the line of defense to collect the ball and he made something of it. He does not pass to the side or back down to the defenders. He puts the ball up the pitch, something that Inter have been missing for a long time.
I also want to give credit to Stramaccioni who came in this game with a plan. It only took three minutes to understand that the idea was to put the balls down between the Tottenham-defenders and the goalkeeper, in order for Rodrigo Palacio and Antonio Cassano to pick up the chances. Just the type of football that I love to watch. Stramaccioni got the positions right and he got his vision from his head and down on the field. Just look what we are capable of! Antonio Cassano, oh my Antonio. Cassano was certainly the man of the match and had something to do with three of Inter’s four goals. Cassano showed us pure magic and showed what the Inter-shirt really means to him. He gave it everything for the full 120 minutes of play until Bebek blew the last whistle. Worth mentioning; from what planet did Samir Handanovic come from?
To sum it up, a great match from Inter. Of course, it is bitter to score four goals against Tottenham and still get eliminated, but it is bittersweet. I say it again. I’m proud to be Interista tonight. This is Pazza Inter. I’m proud to be Interista tonight.
