A brace from Brazilian playmaker Hernanes saw Inter beat his former team Lazio at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico in a match that will mostly be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Some say old love never rusts. Nothing could be farther from the truth regarding how Lazio supporters feel about Hernanes, a player they idolized for almost 4 years but whose back-flip celebration after having scored the equalizer broke a bond that was heard all around the world. “Il Profeta” or “The Prophet” wouldn’t be worthy of his nickname if his celebration had been nothing more than just a spur of the moment kind of reaction, in fact he admitted after the match that it was definitely premeditated which is why his actions tonight can be likened with a knife being stabbed into the hearts of the Lazio fans.
Sure, Lazio President Lotito’s comments regarding Hernanes were hardly flattering and the Brazilian has every right to feel aggrieved but instead his reaction was like trying to kill an annoying fly thats buzzing inside your livingroom with a flame thrower; you end up burning down the neighbourhood not just the fly. I still remember how hurt I felt when Zlatan Ibrahimovic kissed Barcelona’s club crest the very first day he signed for them or worst still how angry I was when Ronaldo scored against us in the Derby della Madonnina and then hushed the Curva Nord. And he did this after having walked all over Inter in the summer of 2002 after Massimo Moratti and the entire club had nursed him back to health. So it would be very hypocritical to pretend that what Hernanes did tonight sat well with me, it didn’t, in fact it revolted me a little bit as the Lazio supporters didn’t deserve to be treated like that. And judging by his post-match comments, I think, Hernanes knows that too. Hopefully he’ll issue an apology to the Lazio supporters although what broke tonight will never be fixed, but it would illustrate maturity on Hernanes part.
The Brazilian’s performance on the pitch however was faultless as he gave a Man of The Match level performance on his old stomping ground. His passing was sublime, his craft and vision were nothing short of magical and if Mauro Icardi hadn’t blasted the ball onto the head of the Panini-vendors outside the stadium, the Brazilian would have been marked down for an assist too. Mancini would have really enjoyed seeing his link-up play with Rodrigo Palacio but above all with Mateo Kovacic who was simply brilliant tonight. The little Croatian wizard gave the best performance of the entire season and looks to finally have found his role under Roberto Mancini, to the delight of all Interisti and judging by his celebrations after Hernanes scored the winner, himself too.
Andrea Ranocchia too gave the best performance of the season tonight when he barely put a foot wrong defensively, in fact his diving header to stop Lazio from equalizing was sensational. Together with Vidic they sent out a sense of calmness and stability which has n’t exactly been synonymous with neither Ranocchia’s performances nor Inter’s defense as a whole this season.
Everyone is sick and tired of hearing about the referee’s and their substandard performances, but it’s very hard not to simply state that Davide Massa and his team completely ruined this fixture by illustrating exactly how NOT to officiate. No sense of feeling at all combined with a neurotic compulsive urge to blow his whistle every single time 2 players made physical contact, completely ruined the rhythm of the match. It’s really back to the drawing board when it comes to the level of officiating because this match will be remembered for 2 things: the horrible officiating and Hernanes tasteless celebrations.
