Inter Milan’s home match against Sampdoria in Serie A’s 26th round is set to kick off tomorrow.
Coach Mancini values this game greatly!
Remember, in his first match upon returning to Inter Milan, he was beaten 3-0 by Sampdoria on their home turf!
Three goals conceded!
With a clean sheet against them!
Mancini’s Inter, subdued in both attack and defense by Sampdoria~
At that time, Mancini returned to Serie A from the Premier League with the honor of a championship, hoping to prove himself again in his homeland.
But who would have thought that his comeback debut would come with three heavy slaps!
Even now, the marks of those slaps are etched deeply on Mancini’s face.
He touches his face and winces in pain.
Especially that day, during the post-match handshake between the coaches, it really got under Mancini’s skin!
Speaking of Sampdoria’s coach Mikhailovic, he has quite a history with Mancini.
As players, they were teammates at Sampdoria and Lazio for six consecutive years.
Then, in 2004, Mikhailovic transferred to Inter Milan, spending the last two years of his playing career with the Blue-Black Corps.
During these two years, the coach at Inter happened to be his former teammate Mancini!
The football world is small; ultimately, it’s always some familiar faces.
Because of this relationship, Mancini thought Mikhailovic would give him a big hug, offer some comfort, and soothe his pride.
But contrary to expectations, the playful Uncle Mika not only did not comfort the saddened Mancini but rather teased him with sarcasm~
"Oh dear, great Coach Mancini, Premier League champion Coach Mancini! Can’t be feeling good being beaten by your disciple, huh? Hahaha!"
Before Mancini could reply, Mika laughed loudly as if no one else was around.
Mika’s jest among old friends wasn’t meant with much malice.
But narrow-minded Mancini felt a bit upset.
Especially since his comeback debut was a fiasco, which was very detrimental to establishing himself and gaining a foothold at Inter Milan.
Mancini’s lips twitched, and his hand extended halfway froze.
There were four or five cameras recording on site, Mancini couldn’t act out.
He had to muster a smile, feigning magnanimity to hug Mika, then quickly headed into the player tunnel.
Just out of camera sight, Mancini kicked a poster in the tunnel!
Once Mika entered the player tunnel, Mancini unleashed a barrage on him!
"Well done, Mika! You win one match, and you think you’re on top of the world, huh?"
"If I’d known you’d be , those two years you played at Inter, I should’ve kept you on the bench!"
"It’s just that you can score good free kicks, old and slow, you should’ve retired long ago!"
Mika just shrugged with a smile and sighed.
"Don’t mind me, Robert; I was just joking after winning. The current Serie A is different from 2007, and Inter isn’t the Inter of the past. Last season, you guys were only ninth; you need to get used to managing a mid-table team like I’ve been doing all these years."
(In the 2004-2005 season, Mika played for Inter under Mancini’s coaching. In fact, the two had a great relationship; when Mika passed away in 2022, Mancini was a pallbearer for him. A master of free kicks, once scoring a hat-trick with them. Remembering Uncle Mika!)
Having played for Sampdoria for 16 years, winning 1 Serie A championship, 4 Coppa Italia championships, 1 Italian Super Cup, and 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup, he is a legendary figure for the team.
Mancini’s portrait is framed and displayed in the most prominent place in Sampdoria’s player tunnel!
Below is written Mancini’s goal tally: 171 goals.
Italian Robert Mancini is the top scorer in the history of the Sailor Corps!
However, losing that match 3-0, Mancini walked down the player tunnel without glory.
He even felt that the photograph seemed like a mocking humiliation to him!
And the applause for Mancini from the fans after returning to Samp’s home ground felt so grating!
No matter how brilliant the past was, it’s all in the past.
Now he is no longer a player but a coach.
Suffering a crushing defeat before the old employer on the comeback debut.
No matter who you are, whether you’re a legendary figure for the team or have made significant contributions before— for Mancini, this is definitely not something to be proud of.
Since his playing days, Mancini has never been a forgiving person; he seeks vengeance!
That’s why, returning to the home game against Samp this time, Mancini is determined to win back and settle the score with Mika!
Also to prove to the old employers at Samp that Mancini’s coaching expertise is still world-class!
Of course, aside from these personal grudges.
This match between Inter Milan at home against Sampdoria is also crucial for improving the team’s standings in Serie A.
The match between Florence and Juventus will kick off simultaneously.
Barring any surprises, the Purple Lily should not withstand the Juventus Corps.
If Inter can seize the home victory over Samp, they’ll overtake Florence by one point, climbing to fourth in the league!