Matrix: Thanks,Trez! Saturday 22 March, 2008
Marco Materazzi stirred up tension ahead of tonight’s battle with Juventus. “David Trezeguet made me win a World Cup, I adore him!”
The Inter defender was asked for his opinion after Trezeguet said he hoped Roma would win the Scudetto.
“Considering what David gave me on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, I accept anything,” grinned the Italy international.
Trezeguet missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out between France and the Azzurri in the World Cup Final.
“If I am world champion then I owe it to his missed penalty, so how could I possibly be upset over a comment? Besides, I really respect him and consider it scandalous Raymond Domenech has frozen him out of the France squad.”
Materazzi is one of the symbols of Inter and so this clash with Juve in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal has special meaning.
“I have always considered them a strong side that inevitably motivates opponents to do well. The year I left Perugia there was talk of Juve’s interest, but I had already chosen Inter. I knew sooner or later they’d get back to winning ways and at the time that really was a gamble.”
Matrix is gearing up for Euro 2008, but he sees the future of the Nazionale in the hands of a Bianconeri player, Giorgio Chiellini.
“Like me, he is someone who came from the streets and to get where he is today worked himself ragged. The trouble is that people like Chiellini need to work twice as hard to get sporting and economic recognition.”
Materazzi has often achieved recognition for the wrong reasons and his dismissal against Liverpool proved costly in the Champions League.
Having said that, Inter have a poor disciplinary record this season with 10 red cards in all competition.
“I do not exclude that Inter may well be too physical, similar to Fabio Capello’s Juventus, but the fact remains that especially in the Champions League we have been extremely unlucky.
“If I was silly at Anfield – as being booked I should have been more careful – I don’t understand why Philippe Mexes’ dismissal against us was considered 'rushed’ by the media and Roma.
“Either the Frenchman was also silly or my red card was also rushed. Make your minds up.”