Put it that way: Saturday night was disastrous for Internazionale at the San Siro in the Serie A. And to think that they’ll have to play at the same venue on Tuesday in Europe makes things even more intriguing.
Let’s also remember that the last time Inter played at home in the UEFA Champions League, the result was a poor one; they actually lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
However, they managed to make it through to the quarter-finals of the competition by bouncing back in dramatic fashion. Yes, because Coach Leonardo is an expert at guiding Inter through comebacks and he knows he and his men have that special touch.
“There’s bitterness [within us following the defeat to Milan]. This is what happens when you lose. Now, we have another game.
“And I can recall that we have always given answers after a defeat. It will be the same this time [against Schalke].”
Have Inter always given answers after losing a game under Coach Leonardo? Well, let’s just look at facts to answer this question. Since the Brazilian is at the head of the Nerazzurri’s coaching staff, Inter have suffered 4 defeats - to Udinese, Juventus, Bayern Munich and most recently AC Milan.
Inter Are Comeback Experts - Facts
January 23, 2011: Leonardo suffers his first defeat with Inter as they lose 3-1 away to Udinese in the Italian Serie A.
January 26, 2011: Leonardo helps Inter to bounce back on the domestic front with victory against Napoli in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. Internazionale beat their opponents 5-4 on penalties after playing a barren game during 120 minutes of football.
February 13, 2011: Leonardo fails to offer Inter a vital win against Juventus as the Nerazzurri lose 1-0 in Turin in the Serie A.
February 16, 2011: Inter recover with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Fiorentina – with Giampaolo Pazzini emerging as the match hero.
February 23, 2011: Leonardo witnesses yet another defeat with Internazionale; this time, it’s in the UEFA Champions League’s Last 16 stage. Despite expecting a “champions-like” performance from his team, the Brazilian must endure the worst through Mario Gomez’s 90th minute winner for Bayern Munich.
March 15, 2011: A great start and a great finish sees Inter through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League as the successfully come back from their 1-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich. Goals from Eto’o, Sneijder and Pandev secure a 3-2 victory for the Nerazzuri at the Allianz Arena.
April 02, 2011: Leonardo’s Scudetto aspirations with Inter suffer a big blow after the manager downplays the importance of the Derby della Madonnina. Inter get thrashed 3-0 by bitter rivals AC Milan.
April 05, 2011: The story is yet to be told and the “routine comeback record” is yet to stop or to continue.
Will Schalke 04 deny Internazionale from maintaining their untouched “bouncing back tradition” under Coach Leonardo? In which position will reigning UEFA Champions League winners Inter be after Tuesday’s European encounter?
