Mancini admits tactical errors

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini confessed he got his tactics and substitutions completely wrong for the first of our Champions League battles which ended in a disasterous 2-0 defeat at Anfield (from an Inter Milan perspective that is!).

“With the benefit of hindsight, you could say I should have thrown on Suazo,” He admitted.

“In truth he was meant to come on, but when Ivan Cordoba was stretchered off I preferred to see how the team settled down. Admittedly, I could have waited a little longer before introducing Vieira.”

Reflecting on Materazzi’s sending-off, which proved a pivotal turning-point in the game, he added: “He should have been more careful and seen what kind of atmosphere there was after there were two yellow cards in the first 10 minutes. He should not have put a hand on Fernando Torres’ shoulder.”

Mancini later applauded the referee’s decision not to award a penalty after the ball appeared to strike half-fit Patrick Viera’s hand when within the penalty area.

“Vieira covered his face with his hands, that is why the referee did not award a penalty. In any case, the ref had already done his duty…”

“I am proud of what my team did. Without that 2-0 result they would be considered the heroes of Anfield now. In my view, they still are.

“We have already made our first step towards overturning the first leg by selling out San Siro. A stadium full to the rafters will give us an important extra push.” added the Italian.