Gattuso puzzled by dismissal Monday 26 June, 2006
Italian gladiator Gennaro Gattuso says he was astonished when Marco Materazzi saw red against Australia.
The Inter stopper was instantly dismissed for a foul on Marco Bresciano, which arguably deserved a yellow rather than the maximum punishment
“I honestly still can’t understand why Materazzi was sent off,” said the player who was converted into an emergency centre-back until Andrea Barzagli was brought on.
“The referees have very different criteria for giving out cards, as some fairly harmless ones from behind get you sent off, whereas much more dangerous tackles are let go.
“Maybe last night’s Portugal-Holland game prompted this referee to be harsher, or being a Spaniard he knows Marco’s reputation and considered it more serious than it was.
“This result means two years of work and our adventure continues, even if we struggled badly. Only a real team can get the win despite that red card.
“As for my own booking, that was understandable.”
Gattuso admitted that Australia started the game brightly even if he argues that the Azzurri deserve their place in the last eight.
“It was a bit confusing at first, as we didn’t know who had to go and pick up the wide men, as Australia kept changing them, but we slowly got a hang of it,” he added.
“We created four or five scoring opportunities again today and, although we’re not as pretty as some others, we make sure our opponents respect us and are tough to beat.
“I’d rather play ugly and reach the quarters than be entertaining and go out.
“We hope to have many more joyful moments like this. We proved again that there are no easy games in the World Cup, but we’re a tough side and that’s important in a competition like this.”
Gattuso also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the Italian media for their reaction to Marcello Lippi’s outburst at them in last night’s Press conference.
“I don’t see why the media has to cause controversy before an important match,” he underlined.
“We have to remain united and everyone loves the Azzurri jersey. I saw journalists crying with joy when the ball went in.”
There's only one Rino...I love you gladiator.
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