qualsiasi cosa succeda, vada come vada, Mancini mi ha ridato l'Inter e per sempre gliene sarò grata, per quanto possa valere
per assurdo credo sia uscito vincitore dalle dichiarazioni post Liverpool, ora più che mai, siamo tutti con lui, io per prima, perché Mancini non si tocca
gli lascerei le chiavi di casa, della macchina, della città, se potessi lo voterei anche al Governo, ma poi non avrebbe tempo per allenare, per fare il manager. dove lo trovi un allenatore che vuole quattro giocatori per il mercato? dove lo trovi uno che con un budget tra i più bassi d'Europa negli ultimi anni ha costruito un gruppo e ha riscritto la fantasia di questo popolo maltrattato? dove lo trovi uno che si mette la maglia dell'Inter alla conferenza stampa, che ha SEMPRE la sciarpa nerazzurra?dove lo trovi uno così?
all'Inter mancava una figura come il Mancio, con cazzi e controcazzi (scusate il francesismo), mancava uno della squadra che incarnasse lo spirito del tifoso interista, che lo sventolasse in faccia ai giornalisti, che lo facesse andare di traverso a tutti gli altri
mancava l'entusiasmo, l'orgoglio, la voglia di vedere la partita fino in fondo, mancava la testa alta il lunedì mattina al bar, a scuola, al lavoro, mancava l'emozione, mancavano perfino gli abbracci dopo un gol, persino quelli ci ha ridato
sono della generazione che ha vissuto l'era del Trap un po' "di sponda", ricordo la corsa con mia madre in centro nel 1989, ricordo i caroselli, la città finalmente dipinta di colori che amo, ricordo le persone in festa e purtroppo ricordo le feste degli altri
ricordo che durante il liceo dopo i derby erano gli altri a venire a scuola con la sciarpa rossonera per farci soffrire, ecco, Mancini, soprattutto ci ha ridato la sciarpa del lunedì post-derby... ero a Milano il 23 dicembre, ero allo stadio. Alla mia sinistra (mia e di Pedro nerazzurro) c'era una coppia di milanisti e ci siamo salutati prima della partita e ho detto: "gli auguri di Natale ve li faccio adesso, che dopo la partita non vi parlo!". Lui orecchie basse e sguardo sconsolato non aveva grandi speranze per la partita, ecco, anche questo ci ha ridato Mancini
... e il 24 durante un giro in centro, sorridevo alla vista di una, due, tre, decine e decine di sciarpe nerazzurre, vestite con orgoglio, con lo stemma bene in vista e i cappellini di lana dell'Inter non si contavano... ho visto gente incrociarsi per strada senza conoscersi, sorridersi e dirsi Forza Inter invece di Buon Natale

ho visto forza, orgoglio, fiducia

per quanto possa valere, ecco la mia Inter, quella che sognavo di tifare dal 1989, quando con pochi anni già sentivo il farfallio del tifo nello stomaco

Mi aspetto di vederti con questa maglia per molto tempo! Io ci continuo a sperare fortemente...

My relationship wit Zlatan Ibrahimovic as an Inter fan has a bad start. A very bad one. Zlatan and I first met much earlier than August, 10^th 2006.

July, 18^th 2004, I’m an Italian student in Portugal, thanks to the EU Erasmus Programme. I’m at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto with four friends, we came here for Italy vs. Sweden. I’m almost sure we’re going home with a poor (but useful) 1 – 0, but no. He, Zlatan, has to ruin my day scoring a terrific draw at the 85’. The ball flies close to Christian Vieri, an Inter player at the time (honestly, he doesn’t make any effort to stop the ball). How did the Swedish7non-Swedish guy dare?

I’m back to Italy that very summer, Euro 2004 doesn’t hurt anymore.Zlatan decides to follow me, on August 31^st he signs for Juventus, public enemy number 1. With his arrogant attidue, he perfectly fits in the unpleasant black&white striped image I’ve got in my mind and for me (such an Inter devoted fan) he becomes the evil.

The 2004/2005 Serie A is won by Juventus, also thanks to his help. On TV, I constantly have to face parts of Juventus games in which Zlatan dribbles, ridicules and makes the opponents fall down and I have to admit that this IS a great player, a diamond in the rough. As a result I like him less and less, as I don’t want him to play for Juventus.

2005/2006 Serie A is tougher for the Swedish Bosnian, he rarely scores but makes enchanting assists. I personally appreciate more a nice assist than a nice goal and I like that guy, Zlatan, the one who derided me in Portugal and followed me to Italy. I sometimes have to rub my eyes and ask myself “did he really do that"? I hate him, footbally speaking, but it's a pleasure to watch him playing. Except for those colours on the top...

Then Calciocaos, the Worldcup, Calciocaos. on August, 10^th 2006 Zlatan decides it’s time to ask me forgiveness and signs for F.C. Internazionale. I’d like to tell him: my dear Zlatan, it won’t be easy. I’m still pissed with you and it’s still “strange” seeing you in black&blue. And don't tell me you've always been an Inter fan, everyone says it!

Summer tournaments pass by and I still can’t get use to it. Zlatan is an Inter playes. how can I jump for a goal? How can I point the TV and say “did you see that”? how can I cope with that?

However I just need a few months to forget him. Inter is spectacular, strong and Zlatan is contributing a lot to the amazing results. There is no game I don’t goggle, I don’t smile for an arrogant face in a derby, cheer for a goal, for one of his assists. I'm like a little girl with a new Barbie, nothing 'bout her. Nothing ‘bout Zlatan.

My dear Zlatan, I don’t know how you did it, but you make me fall in love with you, footbally speaking.

The Portuguese Superliga hasn’t been very exciting this week end. The results were the same as the last turn: Porto – Sporting Braga 1 – 0, Desportivo das Aves – Benfica 0 – 1, União de Leiria - Sporting 0 – 0. That is: Porto still on top, Benfica following at 4 points and Sporting keeping on losing points. Sporting had another overall good performance, but wasn’t able to finalise (not to mention Liedson’s red card after 22 minutes).

Following last week’s highlights, let’s talk about two very important players: Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto) and Simão Sabrosa (SL Benfica), two players, whose career in professional football started at Sporting, then had an unlucky experience at FC Barcelona and came back to Portugal.
By now, Quaresma and Simão are the most influent players in their teams, able to produce some excitement in two (honestly) quite boring games. They didn’t score this time, but offered some quality football, as they always do. This year, their trademark is to be seen in more then half of the goals of Porto and Benfica. Some statistics:

Quaresma
Games- 16
Games from the first minute - 16
Full games- 9
Games with no influence on the result- 3
Minutes- 1295
Goals- 6
Assists- 10

Simão:
Games- 18
Games from the first minute- 18
Full games- 13
Games with no influence on the result - 4
Minutes- 1579
Goals- 9
Assists- 6

Quaresma seems to have a better performance on assists (one every 129 minutes) and Simão on goals (one every 175 minutes). Anyway, it is a pleasure to see those two players on the pitch, they play a great role in every game.

The Portuguese-week end has also been signed by the sudden unexpected death of Manuel Bento (Golegã, 25.6.1948 – Barreiro 1.3.2007) unanimously considered one of the best Portuguese goal keeper ever. His career has been mostly at Benfica, where he was transferred in 1972, as a substitute of José Henriques. Between 1973 and 1976 Bento and Henriques turned over in the goal. At the age of 28 in 1976, Bento became the 1st choice for Benfica and also make his debut with the Portuguese national team. He just left Benfica in 1992 at the end of his career, but just as a player. He was currently working with success for the Benfica’s youth sector.

Manuel Bento was quite a small guy (1,73 cm) but compensated with his acrobatic and brave defences. He collected 63 caps with the national team, playing at the European Championship in 1984 (his best game was the semifinal with France, in which Portugal was defeated 3-2) and at the World Cup Mexico 1986. With Benfica, Manuel Bento played 611 games with Benfica, suffering 447 goals and winning:
8 Portuguese Liga
6 Portuguese Cup
2 Portuguese Supercup
1 Portuguese Player of the Year

Nuno Gomes, scoring the decisive goal in Desportivo das Aves – Benfica dedicated the goal to the memory of Manuel Bento.

This is not the 1st time the “Special One” comes back to Portugal, but the attention (or should I say tension?) reserved to him this time is higher than in 1994. He’s coming back as a winner.

The pub we chose to see the game is empty when we arrive, so I secretly still hope we can convince the owner to watch Inter - Valencia. But no way, he’s a Porto fan, one of the few ones in this Benfica-area.
Fortunately Gabriele promised me to keep me updated during the game.

Right from the beginning, the game seems to be interesting, with very fast counter-attacks, both teams are playing to win and the first ten minutes are restless.
Anyway I can't help thinking about the Inter game and hoping my mobile is ringing with good news.

Terry suffers an injury at the 8th minute and rapidly asks for the change, Porto plays with an advantage in the front and presses Chelsea in their penalty box. Raul Meireles volleys the ball towards the goal, it hits Lampard's knee and passes Petr Cech’s arm. The 1 - 0 freezes the Blues, while Mourinho is on fire swearing in all the languages he can speak, and rapidly sends Robben into the pitch.
I jump on my chair as my mobile rings. Text message 1: Ibra hits the post...

The game is fast, as Chelsea's draw. Robben plays in Shevchenko for a nice finish into the goalkeeper's left corner. Mourinho is now celebrating and I can already see the titles of the Portuguese newspapers tomorrow, focusing on his enthusiasm.
1 -1 after 18 minutes here, what is Inter waiting for to score?

The game goes one, with thrilling plays on one side and the other, somehow Porto seems closer to the second goal, while Chelsea is locked in the midfield.
Text message 2: Cambiasoooo 1 – 0.

The first half ends in a draw with Quaresma almost scoring twice, but Cech first and the bar then oppose to two tremendous finishes.
I think Inter should now close the practice with a second goal.

The second half has a smoother start, the two teams are not so fast now and close to the 50th, Chelsea seems to have started to play for the draw.
In the meantime I'm waiting for the 2 – 0 notice, but text message 4 incredibly says: Villa scores on free kick.

At the 70th minute Chelsea starts to attack again, almost scoring again with Drogba from just outside the box and Drogba again after a terrific Shevchenko move.
I slowly pick the phone, fearing the second Valencia goal. Text message 5: Maicon!! 2 - 1.

The game is practically over, Porto seemed to control more the first half and Chelsea, even defending most of the time, were closer to the goal. At the very end of the game, there is still time for Porto to show some good football.
At San Siro, there is still time for Valencia to draw, as text message 6 tells me.

My highlights:
Makelele's performance was quite disappointing, especially in the first half making a few defensive mistakes.
Quaresma was the main reference for Porto showing some quality football; he abused the fans patience in the second half falling to ground under the slightest contact.

Latin supporters are very demanding. As any other supporter, the Latin one goes to the stadium, or stays at home, or goes to a pub. As any other supporter, the Latin one suffers for his team and cheers, at the end of the game he will be tired and he would have lost his voice.
Here is my brief guide to be a perfect Latin supporter.

• Don’t cheer for your team, encouraging your players. Sing and try to give your best AGAINST the opponent.
• A bad performance of your team, regardless if it wins or loses, irremediably spoils the day/night, going out with your friends won’t help. You will end up home, moaning about how things went bad.
• Being a football player is a job and they have to do it well. Each player is allowed to fail just two times, and then you should start mortifying him, booing and whistling to show your disappointment.
• When you follow your team for the away games having a walk downtown, remember: the opponent supporter is the enemy, don't be friendly with him.
• If your team has been denied a penalty, don’t take it as it comes. Watch all the football programmes on TV paying particular attention to the slow motion repetition. That was definitely a penalty.
• Should your team be losing 3-0 after 54 minutes, there’s no way this will end in a draw. Therefore, you can easily leave the stadium or the pub, switch off the TV and start moaning and calling names to the players and manager.
• When your team buys new players or a new manager, don't be patient. There is no time for long term projects; we don’t have time down here for any Ferguson or Wenger. Victory is the only acceptable result. Full stop.