For the past couple of month’s 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 Chievo, Richard looks back at a fixture between the two teams where “El Chino” Recoba demonstrated his greatness.
The 2003/04 season for Inter is perhaps best remembered for overcoming adversity. In a season that promised much the black and blue half of the city tried their best to spontaneously combust a number of times, leaving their team in disarray. Despite this they finished a credible fourth in Serie A, reaching the Semi-finals of the Coppa Italia whilst having an average European adventure. The only consistency this year was a desire to change for changes sake. A much larger digital parchment than this could be penned about the reasons for three Coaches coming in, as well as two Presidents. Hector Cuper was replaced by Corrado Verdelli who was replaced by Alberto Zaccheroni. In the board room Massimo Moratti handed over his power to Giacinto Facchetti.
Despite this Inter still had a squad that boasted some exquisite talent with Francesco Toldo, Javier Zanetti, Adriano, Dejan Stankovic, Alvaro Recoba and Christain Vieri in their ranks. Admittedly there was some dead wood but this was easily outweighed by the former. It was amongst this back drop that Inter started the season in somewhat unconvincing fashion. Victories against Modena and Siena were followed up with draws against Siena and Sampdoria. Next came a disappointing Derby defeat before draws at Brescia and Roma. Inter needed a win.
Travelling to the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi it was perhaps not unreasonable to concede Inter were nervous. Chievo had not been promoted for a great deal of time but already had a memorable line up including players like Amauri, Franco Semioli, Simone Perotta and Sergio Pellissier. They were also scoring and had more points than Inter at this stage. The game kicked off surprisingly however with both teams putting nine players behind the ball and the match was constantly ‘beige’. For the entire first half Inter looked like once again they would be picking up another draw against a team they should be beating. As the game rounded the 60 minute mark Inter looked for a spark, someone who could unlock this torrid game and they found him.
Recoba was one of the few showing any creativity and on 64 minutes he made his mark. From 40 yards out he received the ball and frustrated by Inter’s inability to find the channels, he looked up and pulled off a delectable cross that found Vieri in the Veronese box. The large target man did not need to be asked twice and rose above all comers in thought and deed to head the ball past a static Luca Marchegiani. The celebrations were muted from Vieri; he was frustrated, almost to the point of angry. His team mates tried to get a reaction but failed. All the same it was 0-1. The second goal for Inter followed only minutes after and this time Vieri became the provider. He found the ball on the right wing and crossed into the box in a hopeful manner. The ball eluded all in front of him but the determination and speed of thought of Recoba allowed him to slot home from close range.
It was unfair on Chievo, they had defended well earlier in the game but two lapses in concentration had let the Uruguayan create one and score the other. It is easy to focus on the now but sometimes looking back you become able to appreciate the immense qualities of players such as Recoba. By doing this simply allows us to qualify what our teams miss or deserve in the seasons going forward.
Follow Richard on Twitter @Gentleman_Ultra or on check out his blog http://thegentlemanultra.tumblr.com/
if recoba was born in the same generation as lionel messi, we would’ve never heard of the latter
this is the type of player that we are really lacking this year and desperately needed for the next year. a player who can come in and change the whole game around. someone who can create something out of nothing. and this is not even the best game that he had
Luca Marchegiani??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MySnNWzFUZc
My first hero was Djorkaef back in the days and then Recoba followed as my icon! He was world class (when having a good game) but could be totally lost in the next one – but that lefty still was magical! Hope he will be a part of Inter Forever!
what does Alvaro Recoba and inter have in common? both take it in the ass……
please, don’t tell us those things you did with your mom
Great Article Nima. Recoba was a great talent. His problem was that he was made of crystal. Injuries kept him from reaching a Crack status. I would never forget Ronaldo’s first game at inter. I was so excited, I had bet that Ronaldo would score two goals, but not he didn’t. It was the 21 years old Recoba who got two goals. Two of the most impressive goals I have seen from an Inter player. here is the link if you have forgotten https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bd2s3XT5UA
Nice with a trip back memory lane, but looking at Bobo Vieri refusing to celebrate still annoys me all these years later
BoboGoal is a legend but we treated him like dirt!
Man the commentator is either crazy or drunk, lol
Hehe.. he’s still commentaring games for InterNews!
That is the way it is done in Italy. For better or for worse. I actually like it.
Man Roberto Scarpini is a living legend!
Simly the best! Alvaro Recoba uno di noi!
Recoba was always considered an immense talent, but I think he never really rose up to the level of becoming a world-class, season-changing player.
Then there’s also the fake passport incident, which brings huge negative publicity to himself and the club.
As magical as it was watching him for the time he was part of our club, he always remained only a talent to me, a quick fix compared to the constant pleasure that was offered by players like Zanetti, Cambiasso etc.
Whether he or the club were to blame for this, I do not know.