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Even at La Scala Del Calcio, it’s not over till the Fat Lady sings. Or is it? Inter v Parma, the Opera

Wednesday, 23 January 08, 01:06 AM

If last week the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan had provided the setting for even the most reserved of Serie a enthusiasts to get a little excited about their league, this week’s Sunday night installment at the San Siro served up as much of an enthralling spectacle albeit with an ominous, sobering twist. And wouldn’t you just know it, like anything with a twist, I guess, it could have been all so different.

For while the last seven days one could have been forgiven for getting all dizzy about a Slimmer Ron, a Duck and using KAPARO like it’s really a word, the next seven could have easily been devoted to stout veteran Couto, the glory of Gasbarroni and more importantly a first Inter loss of the current campaign. As it was 1-2 down with three minutes left, Ibra happened. Again. Tucking in a penalty to equalize and then dispatching a Julio Cruz cross from the right with his annoyingly typical flourish for a 3-2 finish. Cruz and Ibrahimovic. The Argentine and Swede have been perennial
party poopers this year for anyone else who dared to dream and just like big, fat, laughing bullies kicking down the sand castle you spent hours working on, they went and did it again.

If Parma were hoping at the beginning of the evening, they were positively hopping at the end of it. The penalty was harsh. Fernando Couto making a goal line clearance first with his head but ultimately with his arm as replays subsequently showed. Parma looked good however and when they’ve calmed down they will be able to take a lot from their efforts. Couto and Rossi were impressive at the back, Dessena and Cigarini in midfield were a throwback to the Ranieri-inspired rise to safety that Parma enjoyed in the latter part of last season. Gasbarroni too is a burgeoning talent and looked like he was going to be the hero there for a while after his splendid free kick put Parma 2-1 ahead. He did waste a couple of late counter attacks that seem very important now in retrospect, but with the gloriously unpredictable Reginaldo, workhorse Corradi and now comrade Cristiano Lucarelli back from the cold (literally, he has just joined from Shakhtar Donetsk) in attack - they should have enough to stay safe this time also.

Good to see Lucarelli back in Serie a, one of the league’s enduring characters and good to see another Sunday night cracker in Serie a, but if seven days ago was a precious glimpse into the future of Italian football, this week was a potent reminder of who rules the roost for now.

In any event, here’s to the second half of the season.

-Ross Howard

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