Mancio stands up for ref
Sunday 10 February, 2008
Roberto Mancini defended the referee after Inter’s offside goal and insisted his team is not struggling at the moment.
The Nerazzurri only broke down Catania’s defences when Esteban Cambiasso tapped in from an offside position and moments later David Suazo completed the 2-0 win.
“If it was indeed offside, then it was very difficult to see. The referee officiated well throughout,” maintained the Coach.
It had been another relatively sluggish performance from the Serie A leaders, who maintain their eight-point lead over Roma.
“I watched several games this weekend and saw that Roma, Juventus and Milan all struggled to get victories. All matches are difficult in this League and we had to do without several key players.”
Patrick Vieira was suspended, joining the injured Dejan Stankovic, Luis Figo, Douglas Maicon, Walter Samuel and Olivier Dacourt, while Luis Jimenez limped off after only a few minutes.
“The first half was balanced and Catania did very little to score. We improved after the break and were repaid for taking the risk of introducing a third striker. It was important to win here and not give our opponents too many chances.”
Yet Mancio is not concerned at the seeming lack of form in his men so close to the Champions League meeting with Liverpool.
“We rested three or four players today and hope to have everyone in good shape. Liverpool are a tough side who don’t leave you much space.”
The Catania fans adopted an unusual new method of protesting against referee Stefano Farina, as they cheered his every whistle, chanted his name and gave sarcastic standing ovations for the final half-hour.
However, Coach Silvio Baldini tried to calm the atmosphere by defending the official.
“These mistakes can happen and we have to accept them, otherwise there will be controversy every single week,” he warned.
“I can accept this error frankly today, although I know my President and the Catania fans will go home less than happy tonight. What I do ask is equality – we have to retake a free kick, but if a big club does the same thing it is allowed.
“We knew that we could not afford a single mistake and with anything Inter would have taken the lead, making it an uphill struggle. We had to play the way we did, trying not to run risks, but unfortunately the goal came out of nowhere.”