Serie A: Sex, Politics and Coppa Italia

By European Football
May 10 2006

I have often been accused by the more Teutonic of my readers for including politics in my infrequent rants on life inside Italian football, but really there is not a lot of difference, a beautiful sidestep, by Kaka on the pitch,

is as good to watch as owner Silvio Berlusconi, sidestepping every direct question that has been put to him….well ever.

But tomorrow night the first piece of silverware of the Italian season is in danger of passing by unnoticed, Internazionale face Roma in the Coppa Italia, a game that is finely poised after both sides drew 1-1 in the opening leg.

But with the scandal involving the bugging of tapping of Juventus, appears on all the headline pieces, it is almost as if the Coppa Italia, is a distraction from the more pressing business of Ref bribing.

Even the two clubs involved it would seem would rather the match was not taking place, valuing the league game against AC Milan and a potential Champions league place far higher but not the players as Roma defender Christian Chivu to stated:
``In this final week, we have two games which will define our season.'

``It is an important objective and we all want to win it''

``The tie is still very open and we will do our best until the very end as we are aware of the importance of this game.''

``Compared to last year, I think we have a better chance of winning the cup,'' said the Romanian.

``It's true we are the same bunch of players, but this year we have played a better second half of the season and we are more calm and relaxed.

``It is an important trophy and it goes down in history.''

``When you come into a new season, you always aim to win something or reach an important objective for the club and its fans; every player wants to lift the cup.''

And proving it’s never too early to start looking for a new manager Inter president Giacinto Facchetti brushed aside questions on the approach of Fabio Capello, claimed by the Gazzetta dello Sport, to be Inter’s manager for the coming season by saying:

``We are just thinking of the cup final.'.

``Mancini still has a year left on his contract and we will continue moving forward with him.

``It has been almost two months now that the names of other coaches keep being mentioned, but at the moment, all I would like is to win the Coppa Italia.''

Well football is all politics, Italy has been corrupt for about 3000 years and given the fact that there will be something like 40 players present on the night; it seems a fair bet at least one of them will have sex afterwards.

Scandal, sex and Calico, simply Italian style.