Was it a spectacular goal or an overhit cross? Italian media argue that Inter Milan wingback Federico Dimarco found his mark against Frosinone “like Christopher Columbus.”
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, analyze the 26-year-old’s stunning effort.
Dimarco made headlines with his opening goal against Frosinone yesterday evening at the San Siro.
And as soon as the ball crossed the goalline, that seemed inevitable.
Dimarco had only been a few yards past the halfway line when the ball left his boot.
It sailed through the air across the Frosinone half. And it kept going in the direction of the Giallazzurri goal.
Frosinone goalkeeper Stefano Turati recognized the danger eventually, rushing back to get to his goalline in time to keep the effort out.
But the 22-year-old was too late. He was powerless to prevent the ball from dipping under the crossbar.
It was certainly one of the most memorable goals of the Serie A season thus far.
But the big question is – did Dimarco even intend it?
Federico Dimarco Wondergoal Vs Frosinone – Intentional Or Overhit Cross
First, the case that Dimarco’s goal was simply a cross that the wingback hit with too much power.
The most compelling argument is probably the fact that Inter had runners through midfield.
It would have been virtually second nature for the wingback to look for his teammates.
Inter have certainly played a rehearsed tactic on the counterattack. And the use of first-time crosses in and around the penalty area gives the players in a footrace something to attack.
Therefore, Dimarco may well have simply seen that he had targets to hit and gone for the quick diagonal cross.
And if the 26-year-old played the ball too hard, it could well have fooled everyone, including the Frosinone keeper.
On the other hand, Dimarco will have seen Frosinone keeper Turati off of his line, just like he saw his teammates rushing forward.
This could well have proved too tempting an opportunity for the Nerazzurri wingback.
And the sheer accuracy of the ball’s trajectory does make it seem unlikely that it was entirely an accident.
Dimarco’s ball did not simply go over the heads of everyone else on the pitch and into the net.
It dipped perfectly to find the space where Turati was not likely to reach it.
But for the Gazzetta, it is not a debate with much of a purpose, in any event.
The newspaper compare Dimarco’s effort to the voyage of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.
Columbus had set out looking for India. And he wound up at North America.
What matters, the Gazzetta stress, is what was found in the end.
