"We need a victory and they lose. But it's happened before, in football you must never let go," said the Inter technician, 90 minutes from the outcome of a Championship. suspenseful Italy.

The precedent that makes Simone Inzaghi, 46, dream, dates back more than twenty years, when he was a player at Lazio.

Before the last day, May 14, 2000, the Laziali are second with two points behind Juventus of Carlo Ancelotti (coach), Zinédine Zidane, Alessandro del Piero, Antonio Conte and... Filippo Inzaghi, Simone's older brother .

In Rome, against Reggina, the afternoon started quietly for Sven-Göran Eriksson's Lazio, who opened the scoring on a penalty from Simone Inzaghi (33rd) and led 2-0 at the break while the Bianconeri were hung in Perugia at halftime (0-0).

But a huge storm then broke out in Umbria.

Referee Pierluigi Collina had no choice but to delay the resumption, given the pitch of the Renato Curi stadium completely flooded, with large puddles near the central circle and the two surfaces.

In Rome, the recovery is also a little delayed but the meeting finally restarts and ends with a clear victory for Laziali 3-0.

Ancelotti "bitter"

Then begins an interminable wait for the tifosi at the Stadio olimpico, the ear glued to the radio set to follow the evolution of the situation in Perugia where the match has just resumed.

Simone Inzaghi then striker of Lazio Rome on March 14, 2000 in the Stadio Olympico in Rome Gabriel BOUYS AFP / Archives

After several reconnaissances with the ball, Mr. Collina has indeed decided to leave, the rain having diminished a little even if the lawn still seems very limited.

And the unthinkable happens with an opener from Perugia central defender Alessandro Calori (49th).

Juve will push to the end but will not manage to equalize – a draw would have meant a play-off with Lazio, the two teams then being level on points –.

"I am very bitter and disappointed, because we deserved this title for everything we have done this season. But it is fair to say that Lazio deserved it just as much", commented Carlo Ancelotti, quoted by AFP on this 14 May 2000, judging that it had been "difficult to play after the storm".

In Rome, tens of thousands of tifosi let their joy burst out, on foot, on two wheels, in cars, wearing scarves and flags in Biancolesti colors.

There is no doubt that those of Inter will not be less happy on Sunday evening if the scenario is repeated in their favor.

© 2022 AFP