Mancini relieved as 10-man Inter edge derby thriller

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2006

ROME (AFP) — Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said the dismissal of Marco Materazzi almost cost his side victory in the pulsating 4-3 derby win over AC Milan. World Cup-winning Italy international Materazzi received a second yellow card for pulling his shirt over his head to celebrate his headed goal, which put Inter 4-1 up in the 68th minute.

His sending-off sparked a Milan fightback which brought them two late goals, but Inter, who were practically down to nine men with Patrick Vieira struggling to run after being injured and no substitutions left, held on for a precious win which took them three points clear at the top of Serie A. "Everything was going really well until Materazzi's red card," said Mancini whose team's sixth victory from nine matches left them on 21...