Gattuso the butt of the AC Milan joke

Published February 16, 2011 | By James R Shaw

A 1-0 win for Tottenham at the San Siro last night was flattering on the current Serie A leaders. Harry’s side dominated from the off and perhaps deserved more from a match ending on indifferent terms.

Former Ranger’s midfielder Gennaro Gattuso lost his head at the final whistle, head-butting second-assistant coach Joe Jordan after the two squared up. The 33 year old, who you would think would be able to take the loss with dignity, embarrassed himself, his side and – I would go as far to say – Italian football itself.

Although the head-butt is an isolated incident, it’s significant in the political-social sphere of Italian football. The league’s aggressive nature has been further exposed in European football as it continues to fall behind its English, Spanish and German rivals.

Italian football has certainly been in decline. Although, three Italian sides remain in the competition – Roma, Inter Milan and AC Milan – each of these teams qualified unconvincingly. Inter Milan, where humbled by Tottenham, whereas AC Milan trailed to the lesser Auxerre in their group.

As for the Europa League, things only got worse. Of the four teams who qualified for the initial group stage, only Napoli moved on to the knockout stage – in a hardly convincing second place. Sampdoria, Juventus and Palermo all failed to make the cut.

Historically, Italian teams have always prospered in each of the European competitions. They have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation. Milan alone have won the European Cup/Champions League on seven occasions – only Real Madrid has exceeded this total. The club has also won the UEFA Super Cup a record five times and the Cup Winners’ Cup twice.

Now their history has been put into jeopardy as Italian teams continue to disappoint.

Posted in News | Tagged AC Milan, Gennaro Gattuso, Harry Redknapp, Head-butt, Headbutt, Inter Milan, Italian, Italy, Joe Jordan, Last 16, San Siro, Tottenham, UEFA Champions League

Ash

I disagree with what you have said about Spurs performance here. It was a typical underdog approach, built on solid defence and hitting a target man (Crouch actually did a good job) and using pace on a counter. To use the word dominate is an over exaggeration, but they tactically outclassed them.

Milan frankly were blunt up front but seemed to be in and around Tottenham’s goal an awful lot more, but it was the Spurs backline that stopped that final killer ball or snuffed out basically every chance.

Spurs didnt particularly threaten AC Milan’s goal apart from VDV’s effort that the keeper didn’t need to top over, the cheeky dink and of course the goal.

Had it have been 0-0 I don’t think either side would have complained, and the only reason Spurs scored was due to Yepes, who did the worst thing when defending 2 on 2… Dive in.

At White Hart Lane I think Spurs will do enough to progress, so well done for last night but there’s no need to blow too much hot air up their arses for last nights performance.

As for the Italian league declining, I think its more the others getting better and the strengthening of the depth of the league not coming (don’t forget Inter are current European Cup holders though!)

A lot of talk is that Gattuso is having his last European campaign and so after his shove on Jordan and coupled with his booking leading to a suspension for the second leg, I think he knew that it was possibly his last European Cup appearance. I imagine he was creating a ruckus to try to get as many of Spurs side suspended for the second leg. The man is an evil genius and I wouldn’t put it past him…
Andy

GATTUSO has always been a scum bag. Probably the biggest dick in football with diouf, I havent watched a match with him in and not thought I hate that guy.