For the past couple of weeks SempreInter.com’s new editorialist, Richard Hall, has taken a look back at the glorious history of Inter by highlighting a certain match, hero or any other event in Inter’s history worthy of being labelled Nerazzurri Classic’s. Ahead of Sunday’s away fixture against Bologna, Richard looks back at a fixture between the two teams which saw two legends go head to head.
The 1997/98 season promised much for the Nerazzurri as they changed coaches and bought a certain young Ronaldo. In their second game of the season they faced Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. This would turn out to be a classic and it would not all be focused around the Brazilian.
Inter had n’t renewed Roy Hodgson contract in June of 1997 and had replaced him with Luigi Simoni. Inter had invested heavily, especially in Ronaldo, who had arrived from Barcelona in the summer for a world record fee. Their ranks included the likes of Gianluca Pagliuca, a young Javier Zanetti, and the veteran Giuseppe Bergomi. This as mixed with an array of attacking talent including Youri Djorkaeff, Diego Simeone, Ivan Zamorano and Alvaro Recoba. It was believed that a title challenge was on.
The season had started with a 2-1 win against Brescia and the next game against Bologna was seen as a formality even though they had recruited a certain Roberto Baggio from Milan. The game started well for the away side as Fabio Galante headed in a corner in the early stages. A packed Stadio Renato was stunned and the fell even quieter as on 38 minutes Maurizio Ganz pounced on a through ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli. This was cruel on Bologna as after the first strike they had peppered Inter’s goal but the heroics of Pagliuca had kept it level.
Just before the break Bologna were awarded a free kick. Up stepped Roberto Baggio, who curled a sublime free kick over the wall giving Pagliuca no chance. It was no more than Bologna deserved and set up an enthralling second half.
When the game kicked off for the next 45 the pace was electric and Inter’s goal was under threat again. Then against the run of play Ronaldo received the ball on the edge of the box and with some superb footwork, dragged the ball past two of defenders putting himself level with the keeper, he smashed the ball home and Inter led 1-3.
Bologna were not dead yet and their persistence paid off immediately when Taribo West gave away a poor penalty only six minutes later. Roberto Baggio stepped up and firmly slotted it home, sending his International team mate the wrong way in the process.
The goal of the game came on 66 minutes and it fell to Inter. A quick counter attacking move caught out the now seriously offensive Bologna side and when Djorkaeff got hold of the ball 25 yards out the home side were in trouble. The Frenchman looked up and saw Antonioli off his line, he then delicately chipped the ball over him, it as the work of a master craftsman. The game had been a sign of the power of Serie A and a sign of the quality of games it produced.
Inter went on to have a successful season finishing second in the division behind Juventus whilst beating Lazio in the UEFA Cup Final. Ronaldo scored 35 goals in all competitions to become one of the best talents in Serie A. Roberto Baggio also had a fantastic season with Bologna, so much so that he signed for Inter the very next year.
Get in touch with Richard Hall on Twitter: @Gentleman_Ultra
