- Since the end of the World Cup, any day that there is an absence of Inter transfer rumors the press hits a familiar note: Camoranesi to Inter. It popped up again today and, while it seems logical feel free to give it as much thought as you did when it was talked about in July, or August, or December, or January, or 5 days ago. Anyway, the news here is apparently that Samuel is being offered. No big surprise as the chances of The Wall leaving over the summer for first team action are nearly 100%...
- In another dragged out story, Mancini's contract and the back and forth between him and Moratti might be over, as Martha reported over in the Italy page. The Sven rumors were very interesting as you look at this Inter and their biggest difference from years past is the tranquility they seem to have achieved through stability. Its well-known that the constant turnover at the club has been the Achilles' heel of this Moratti era and maybe Mancini decided to cash in, thinking that the chairman would do anything to avoid having to start over with a new coach. And maybe Moratti used the Sven rumors as an example of a guy who could come in here and not miss a beat, seeing as how Mancio learned under him. And maybe I just created an issue here because I don't want to continue to speculate about Camo.
- Really quick thoughts on Sunday's match as Pasha was all over it.... You guys hit the nail right on the head with FSC's commentary. It is absolutely abysmal. I used to make fun of the Max Brettos/ Allen Hopkins team when the channel first started but they were worlds better than this (and we got Brettos for the Toro match). My favorite line from Sunday's game was Christian Miles stating that there were "zero Italians in the starting lineup for heavily South American Inter", followed not 5 seconds later by "ball taken away by Grosso". If you watched the Rome derby in December he shrieked about how Massimo Oddo's penalty had equalized when it had, in fact, put Lazio up 2-0. I was almost embarrassed to be watching.
Going back to Fabio though for a moment, his last two goals, this one and the one against Sampdoria in the Coppa, were completely sick. Just needed to be said again....
Also, I know how awesome we are and how all our critics suck and should shut their mouths and the like but its not a good sign for any league when the leader hangs up a ho-hum, business as usual five-spot on a team in the upper-mid table. But I won't rain on the parade....
Finally, Stankovic got booked so the midfield merry-go-round o' fun continues on Wednesday, when we play Udinese, who are the last Serie A team we have yet to beat this season. I find that incredibly cool...