Inter Milan 2 – 1 Manchester City
Luigi Simoni was speechless at the goal conceded — it was clear that something unexpected had happened. Yet in football, such surprises often emerge from a gradual accumulation of advantages over time.
Initially, he wanted to take advantage of the twelfth player — the fans. Inter's aggressive midfield play had worked well; they were benefiting from being the home side, something they intended to capitalize on. That's why Simoni took a risky approach, concentrating his forces through the middle while weakening their wing attacks.
Attack through the flanks against Manchester City? Forget it. That would only work if Roberto Carlos were in Inter's jersey — but since Roy Hodgson sold him to Madrid, Inter had lost their "bazooka."
