Milan: Inter Milan handed club veteran Javier Zanetti a memorable send-off with a 4-1 win over Lazio which secured their place in next season’s Europa League. Zanetti, who has spent 19 seasons with Inter, was playing in his final official game before taking up a director’s post with the Serie ‘A’ giants. Despite Zanetti’s San Siro farewell drawing a near capacity crowd, Inter coach Walter Mazzarri left the 40-year-old Argentinian on the bench until he replaced Jonathan in the 52nd minute.
Zanetti, speaking to Sky Sport, admitted it had been an emotional night. “I’m crying inside with the thought of leaving these wonderful fans behind after so may years of wearing the shirt and playing as captain,” said Zanetti. “I’ve had an incredible career. The atmosphere here tonight was something special and will stay with me forever,” Zanetti added.
Zanetti’s finale was also marked by a solitary fan running onto the pitch in the 90th minute to salute the man who has come to be simply known as ‘Il Capitano’. But there was drama before then as Lazio, one of several teams fighting for the Europa league, stunned the stadium into silence when Bruno Pereirinha’s cross was knocked down by Lorik Cana for unmarked Giuseppe Biava to bundle past Samir Handanovic in the Inter net.
Any thoughts Zanetti’s night would be spoiled were dispelled by the half-time interval. Inter were back on level terms five minutes later thanks to Rodrigo Palacio, took the lead through Mauro Icardi on 34 minutes and then put the match virtually beyond all reach when Palacio completed his brace three minutes later.
