Walter - The Return

Going back to a place where you were happy is never easy. Especially when your dream lies in the opposition dugout. Walter Zenga was an Inter icon, as much for his outstanding saves as for his devotion to the shirt. His dream has always been to coach the club. It has never happened, more because of timing than any lack of coaching ability.

Spider-Man’s coaching career has followed an unconventional path, but he has always been willing to test himself: at the latest count, he has coached in eight different countries. His peak was undoubtedly his time at Palermo. On 28 October 2009, it was Palermo vs. Inter. The Nerazzurri were top but had one eye on the Champions League, with a crucial match in Kyiv coming up four days later. A few knocks, a few absentees: no Sneijder, no Milito, no Thiago Motta.

It was a new strike partnership: Balotelli and Eto’o. Explosive potential, but two strong personalities. They needed to size each other up.

The first test came in the seventh minute. Mario won a penalty and wanted to take it. The Cameroon star had other ideas: there was a pecking order, and he was next in line after Milito. The two debated it for a few seconds, until a mediator had to step in. Not just an elder statesman, but a senator for life: Javier Zanetti made the call. Samuel took it. 1-0.

Balotelli then took matters into his own hands, channelling his energy in the right direction with a poacher’s brace, both goals coming from inside the six-yard box. He continued to run riot, causing panic in Palermo’s defence before setting up Eto’o for a simple tap-in to make it 4-0 in the 43rd minute. The diplomatic crisis was officially over: Eto’o and Mario embraced in celebration. Game over? It should have been.

Four goals up at half-time, Inter looked home and dry. But Walter Zenga knew his Palermo side had some outstanding players, and he went for broke. He brought on striker Abel Hernández for the ineffective Melinte. Palermo now had Cavani, Pastore, Miccoli and Hernández in attack. Four phenomenal talents, or near enough.

When Miccoli made it 4-1, the Inter fans yawned. When Hernández made it 4-2, they raised an eyebrow. When Miccoli struck again for 4-3, fear began to creep in. “Hang on, what’s going on?” It took a Milito goal, set up by Maicon, to give Inter breathing space again. The score stayed at 5-3, and as the San Siro crowd breathed a sigh of relief, a familiar thought crossed their minds. Walter Zenga hadn’t changed. He still had more tricks up his sleeve than the devil himself.