Matrix mourns Juve pair
Monday 18 December, 2006
Marco Materazzi dedicated his stunning goal against Messina to the two Juventus youngsters who tragically died this weekend.
The Nerazzurri set a new all-time club record with their ninth consecutive victory after a 2-0 trimuph and the world champion led from the front, scoring thanks to a remarkable overhead bicycle kick.
“My goal was a gem, but my first duty is to stop opponents from scoring and this is what I’m most pleased about today,” explained Materazzi.
“I would like to dedicate the goal to Alberto D'Aguanno [the Mediaset journalist who died last week] and his family.
“And also to the two Juventus youngsters [Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardo Neri] who are no longer with us, as well as to their families in this difficult time.
“A special thought also goes to all the people who need affection at Christmas time,” added the defender.
There was tension just before Matrix scored the goal, as Messina Coach Bruno Giordano refused to give the ball back to him for a throw-in near his bench.
The two started bickering, causing referee Nicola Stefanini to book Materazzi and show the tactician a red card.
“The new rules say the ball should be not be touched, however I don’t want to blame Giordano excessively,” said the Nerazzurro.
“I don’t know what he said after the game, but I hope he apologised to me. When I saw the linesmen had given me a throw-in I just tried to get the ball quickly.
“I only did my duty, and I think my booking was scandalous. Everybody saw who was wrong, but I prefer to not speak about this because football needs other things.”
Inter maintained their seven-point lead over Roma and will visit Lazio on Wednesday in what promises to be an interesting match.
“It is Inter’s year because we want this Scudetto badly, but we have won nothing yet and there are still big teams to face.
“It will be a good match with Lazio. We will try to impose our game against an in-form team and we will work hard in the next two days to make sure we're ready,” concluded Materazzi.