Roberto Mancini says Inter and Juventus’ rivalry can’t be about Calciopoli anymore – ‘it’s ridiculous to talk about things that are in the past’.
The Calciopoli scandal saw the Bianconeri demoted to Serie B, while the 2005/06 title was awarded to Mancini’s Inter.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira also left Turin in favour of the Nerazzurri, and to this day Juve and their fans count 33 Scudetti, refusing to acknowledge the two revoked [the 2004/05 title was unassigned].
Roberto Mancini says Inter and Juventus’ rivalry can’t be about Calciopoli anymore – ‘it’s ridiculous to talk about things that are in the past’.
The Calciopoli scandal saw the Bianconeri demoted to Serie B, while the 2005/06 title was awarded to Mancini’s Inter.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira also left Turin in favour of the Nerazzurri, and to this day Juve and their fans count 33 Scudetti, refusing to acknowledge the two revoked [the 2004/05 title was unassigned].
“I like games like this, because there’s so much more rivalry, and the stadium is full,” Mancini told Tuttosport ahead of the Derby d’Italia on Saturday.
“By the way, I think the rivalry between Juventus and Inter has to go back to just being on a sporting level.
“You have to concentrate on the 90 minutes, you can win or lose, but it’s time to give up all the other stupid stuff.
“I think everyone should do something to get out of this situation. It’s ridiculous to talk about things which are in the past.
“It can’t be done anymore.”
The Beneamata have struggled this season, while the Old Lady are going from strength-to-strength, even reaching the Champions League final on Wednesday.
“When there’s a need to rebuild, we must be patient, something which is unfortunately lacking in Italy.
“We need patience to understand that winning cycles begin and then end, and when they end it takes time to rebuild.
“It happened to Juve, who worked with great difficulties, and went through times which were not easy, and look what they’ve done in recent years, thanks to building a stadium of their own.”
With Massimiliano Allegri’s team having exerted themselves in Europe on Wednesday, and with the Coppa Italia final to come in midweek, is this a good time to face them?
“I don’t think so,” Mancini insisted.
“Juve are used to playing every three days, they know how to play these games.
“Even if they make some changes, those who go onto the pitch, as well as being fresher, will be motivated by the idea of proving that they can play in the team which has just reached the Champions League final.”