Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti has insisted he still has faith in coach Leonardo despite Tuesday’s Champions League debacle against Schalke 04.
The Champions League quarter-final witnessed a spectacular capitulation of Inter Milan in their first leg at home to Schalke in which they were humiliated 5-2, despite leading 2-1, leaving next week’s second leg virtually superfluous. But Moratti came out defending his coach.
Having seen his side concede eight goals in their two most important games of the season, and having Cristian Chivu sent off in both, one might have expected a reprimand from Moratti over defensive frailty or discipline, instead there were excuses.
“It was a defeat due to tiredness,” said Moratti. “I was surprised by the size of the defeat but you could already see the tiredness and it’s impossible to rediscover freshness in so few days. My opinion of Leonardo hasn’t changed.
“I know that something has maybe changed for him because he feels bad about what has happened twice in quick succession. But for me, no, because I know how cruel football can be and you have to keep going with the same enthusiasm.”
Real roll over Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur coach Harry Redknapp admitted the early sending off of Peter Crouch had given his side an impossible task against nine-time European champions Real Madrid after losing 4-0.
Redknapp watched on as Crouch received bookings for reckless challenges on Sergio Ramos and Marcelo to receive his marching orders in the 15th minute and Real capitalised with three further goals to add to their fourth minute opener from Emmanuel Adebayor.
“I was disappointed,” said Redknapp. “The last thing we needed was to go down to ten men and that’s what happened. He already had a yellow card and he shouldn’t take the chance of getting a red card so I am disappointed.”
Tottenham held on until the interval trailing 1-0 but fell apart in the second half with Adebayor scoring his second before Angel di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo netted later.
Mourinho feels for Redknapp
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho offered some sympathy to Redknapp. “Of course I have some sympathy for Harry and I hope no one criticises Tottenham because 11 against 10 at this level is mission impossible,” said Mourinho.
While Tottenham are left licking their wounds, Real fans are dreaming of a 10th European crown with the prospect of facing Barcelona in the semi-final should they overcome Shakhtar Donetsk. AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.
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