Row sends Recoba to Samp?

Sunday 12 December, 2004

Alvaro Recoba confirmed a furious row with Roberto Mancini that could see the Uruguayan sold to Sampdoria next month.

"We had words during training and the Coach decided to leave me at home," revealed Recoba this afternoon. "Nothing else happened and I never lacked respect for anyone, nor do I want to be disrespected."

It was already rumoured there were tensions between the two men, but they exploded during Saturday’s training session when he discovered he wouldn’t be in the starting eleven despite impressing in the midweek Champions’ League win over Anderlecht.

Recoba was not even included in the squad travelling to Siena and Mancini confirmed in his press conference that this was “a technical decision.”

It’s now increasingly likely that the Uruguayan will be loaned out in January with Sampdoria and Palermo both eager to take him on.

"I want Inter to win whether I am on the field or not," added Recoba, "and the Coach has a right to make his decisions. However, it is increasingly difficult for me to spend such a long time on the sidelines."

The Blucerchiati would be his favoured solution as he’d hook up with Coach Walter Novellino, perhaps the only tactician to get consistently good performances out of the creative midfielder.

Recoba shot to fame during his loan spell at Novellino’s Venezia in 1999, scoring 10 goals in 19 games and single-handedly saving the club from an almost certain relegation.

He has flattered to deceive ever since and his multi-million pound contract was often bitterly criticised in the press. This week the international also conceded, “I am only here thanks to patron Massimo Moratti and hope to repay him for his faith in me.”

The move to Sampdoria would suit all three parties, as the Genoa club is struggling for inspiration with a poor scoring record, while Inter hope this spell away can allow him to rediscover his Venezia form.

[channel4.com]