Dejected Cesar walks home after error
Reuters - Thursday 24 February 2011, 16:52
MILAN - Distraught Inter Milan goalkeeper
Julio Cesar walked home from the San Siro to give himself time
to think after his minor error helped give Bayern Munich a 1-0
first-leg win in their Champions League last 16.
Media reports said the Brazilian left his car in the San
Siro car park and walked the short distance home having already
apologised to fans and team mates for failing to cling onto the
ball before Mario Gomez scored in the last minute.
"A bad night can happen," Inter president Massimo Moratti
told reporters on Thursday after the repeat of last year's
final.
"Julio Cesar has performed so many miracles in the past."
Moratti said having Diego Milito out injured and fellow
striker Giampaolo Pazzini ineligible had cost the holders dear
but that little should be read into all three Italian sides
losing home first legs in the last 16.
AC Milan were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma,
who have since lost coach Claudio Ranieri, went down 3-2 to
Shakhtar Donetsk.
"Last night was a good game, it could have finished either
way," he said. "We are three different teams with particular
opponents, it can happen. When we lose there's a crisis and when
we win, we are the best in the world. We need a bit of balance."
Inter centre back Andrea Ranocchia went off with a knee
problem but club doctors said they hope he can be fit for the
return leg in Germany on March 15.