Rome, Feb 25 (DPA) Despite his experience and charisma, this week could be the time when Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho learnt to keep his cool on the bench.
His exemplary composure during the 2-1 victory over his former club Chelsea in the Champions League Wednesday could possibly stem from the three Serie A games he was sanctioned to watch from the stands for his tantrums at calls he disliked.
After the final whistle, the Portuguese coach acknowledged that refereeing mistakes are part of the game as he commented on Walter Samuel’s foul on Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou.
“Had such an event happened in the area of Chelsea, I would have been pleased with a penalty,” he said. “I was honest and I remain honest. Italy has not changed me.”
Unfortunately for Mourinho, his latest declarations after Serie A games took a different tone and hinted at alleged plots to damage Inter and prevent them from winning a fifth straight title.
After a scoreless draw played out with nine men against Sampdoria at the weekend, Inter and their coach found themselves isolated as they protested against alleged wrongs suffered at the hands of the referee.
Called to examine hysterical behaviour on and off the pitch, a sports judge banned Mourinho, leaving him without dismissed defenders Walter Samuel and Ramiro Cordoba for one game.
Also missing, for two games, will be midfielders Sulley Muntari and Esteban Cambiasso, who followed their coach’s loss of temper.
Lowly hosts Udinese look to profit from Inter’s seeming weaknesses when they welcome the front-runners Sunday in the wake of a heartening 2-1 win over Cagliari.
The Udine side Wednesday got themselves partly out of trouble after the return of coach Pasquale Marino, but remain just four points above the three-team drop zone.
Minutes before Inter took on the English giants, city rivals AC Milan snatched a last-gasp 2-1 win at Fiorentina that brought them within four points of the top and one above third-place Roma.
A home game to troubled Atalanta awaits the Devils, while Roma have a hard game away to Napoli. Juventus, lagging far below but looking to keep the last available Champions League berth, host tough Palermo late Sunday.
Palermo lie just one point behind Juve and level with Sampdoria, who visit Parma, and Napoli.
Genoa have fourth place within sight when they host Bologna, as do Cagliari, who are away at Chievo.
Lowly Catania welcome Bari Saturday, Lazio also fear relegation as they host Fiorentina late Saturday and Livorno tackle Siena in a drop-zone tie.
rounak