Marco Materazzi former Inter defender spoke ahead of the very anticipated match between Inter and Roma
The situations of José Mourinho and Romelu Lukaku, now at Roma after their time at Inter, are not comparable. This is what Marco Materazzi, the former Inter defender, stated in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport just a few hours before Inter’s match against Roma. He asks, “Why do you think San Siro whistles at Lukaku and has never whistled at Mourinho?”
What do you think about Lukaku?…
“All he had to do was say: ‘I’m leaving because… It’s been great, thanks for everything,’ etc., etc It’s not that difficult to do this, I think. . It would have been enough to say it earlier, especially.”
In reality, not even Mourinho had said it.
“Not publicly, but we were playing for a Champions League, not an amateur tournament. And the person who mattered, President Moratti, had practically said it. And he told us too: when you know each other, solemn speeches aren’t necessary, glances are enough.”
So, it’s the silence that Lukaku isn’t forgiven for.
“The silence and his timing. He says that when he speaks, many things will be understood. We hope so, but we Inter fans are still waiting for an explanation. If I had made a choice like his, I would have explained it by now. But there are things that don’t need to be said, like that night in Madrid.”
That night in Madrid, meaning two with their faces on each other’s shoulders, crying?
“Exactly, not a word. We had already said everything, even before he sent me on for those few minutes in the final.”
So, can you remind us what Mourinho whispered in your ear on the field before you went in on the evening of May 22, 2010?
“Marco, you were on the field in the damn World Cup final, and you’re on the field in this damn Champions League final.’ I tried one last time, with my jersey in my mouth so he wouldn’t understand what I was saying: ‘Stay, no one will love you like we do'”
