Back of the Net!

The shock of the match fixing scandal in 2006 has returned to haunt Italian football fans this weekend as Luciano Moggi - former Juventus Director of Football and one of the key perpetrators - was committed for a further trial.

Shock and awe followed the initial revelations and subsequent trials, not just in Italy but all across Europe, and with the football-mad nation shamed into responding to it all with a World Cup win, everyone seemed to think that it had been forgotten about.

Over two years later Moggi’s committal to trial is sending shockwaves around mainland Europe.

This of course doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that the problem exists only in Italy.  Although the country regularly sees high level corruption scandals splashed across the press, officials everywhere are just as susceptible to a bit of blackmail and a few extra quid.

So, should any other scandals arise, don’t be too surprised.  However, don’t be afraid to question UEFA.  Their involvement with Juventus’ punishment and those of the other teams was self-serving, and made a mockery of the original judgment…

Inter Milan begin defence of their Serie A title this Saturday evening as the Italian football season leaps back into life.

An early test away at Sampdoria will more than likely bring the Nerazzurri their first points of the season, as the giants of Italy look to add to their 3 straight Serie A titles.

Of course the real one to watch this season is former Porto and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. His appointment back in June was one of the most awaited in recent football history, and he naturally charmed the Italian press by conducting his first press appearance in Italian, revealing that he had learned the language in just 3 weeks!

With no significant signings other than the Brazilian winger Mancini, Mourinho has however already made his mark on Inter by leading them to victory over AS Roma in the Italian Supercup last weekend (2-2 aet, 6-5 on penalties on Sunday August 24th).

The Special One will at the very least give outsiders a reason to pay more attention to the at times slow and uneventful Italian football season; there’s no reason however to expect anything other than passion and fluidity from Inter Milan this season, and with Mourinho’s exceptional record few would bet against them retaining the Serie A title for a 4th season.