Are Italy's CL Entrants in Need of His Furbizia?Interesting little piece on Corriere Della Sera's website this morning in the wake of Pippo Inzaghi's hat trick against Atalanta. It made the case that he is one of the few remaining strikers in Serie A who can come off into the lineup and completely change the game. I completely agree in the sense that the "little things" that defenders have to be aware of when he's on the pitch add to their worry. Though they have many other great players, Milan miss that edge when he's on the bench.
It also mentioned that teams like Manchester United are also able to change pace by fielding guys like Tevez, and pointed out that Inter's shortcomings in this area hinder their European chances. Inter's depth of strikers, however, is nothing to sneeze at, behind Ibra, there is also Adriano, Cruz, Balotelli, Crespo, and Obinna. Maybe their ability to change the game reflects a limitation of their manager, Jose Mourinho. Whereas some teams are willing to switch styles up front, Mourinho has often said that he picks his forwards due to their technical characteristics, and asks them to play the way he wants. Cruz and Balotelli, both of whom have seen their output drop considerably under the Portuguese, did little to put their stamp on the game in the dying moments of the first leg with United. Mourinho has also buried the closest thing he has to his own Inzaghi, Hernan Crespo.
Its possible Mourinho is handcuffing his attackers, in service to his own managerial style. Late on Wednesday night, the Special One could be full of regret.
-Speaking of Inter, their Champions League hopes have survived at least another day. Walter Samuel boarded the plane to England, and though Inter have been tightlipped regarding his health you have to assume that if he's there, he'll try to go from the start. Without Samuel or Chivu, Inter had zero chance of getting a result at Old Trafford. If the Wall is healthy, though, they're right back in it...
