Season 2001/2002 review

15-05-2002

The season started like a nightmare for Alvaro Recoba. He was on the 27th of July 2001 banned for one year for being in possession of a false passport. With one appeal rejected, it looked like Recoba was going away from Italy on a loan spell. The only light at the end of the tunnel was the Uruguayan World Cup qualification where he was not suspended.
Then things change when Recoba agreed to participate in youth activities aimed at combating violence and racism and got his ban reduced to 4 months. This meant that he could play his first match of the season on the 4. of November 2001 (Inter-Lecce). However, being involved in the World Cup qualification meant that Recoba could not play before the 17. of November 2001 (Roma-Inter). Hector Cuper however did not feel to include Recoba before the 2. of December (Atalanta-Inter 2-4) where he was substituted on at the 72. minute. By then Recoba had missed 1/3 of the season.
The most astonishing of Chino's return was that he played as left midfielder in the 4-4-2 formation and not as a forward. This was a position he "had never" played before. Cuper eyed the opportunity to make good use of Recoba's pace and accurate crossing.
At the beginning, Alvaro Recoba had problems getting used to his new position. Especially the defensive part of the game. Cuper fielded Guly in many occasions because of that, just not to take too many risks at the beginning of the game. Guly however was better in defence but in all other parts of the game he had huge problems. Therefore, Chino replaced Guly in many matches and this was the case in the Inter-Chievo match where Guly and Gresko almost could not stop Eriberto. Guly already went off in the 37th minute of the first half and Recoba came on. Unfortunately, that did not make Inter win.
After the Chievo game Recoba received some hip problems and did not play again before the 13th of January 2002.
It was on that day Recoba scored his first goal of the season from a beautiful set-up by Kallon.
The next game Recoba was brought into the side against Parma for just his second start of the season. He looked impressive in a new role on the left midfield and helped set up Inter's first goal. Unfortunately, Recoba suffered a 'light strain' after finally winning back his place in the side.
When Chino returned against Bologna on the 9th of February 2002, he immediately won back his place, as he was in the starting line-up in the following and last 12 games of the season. In 7 of these last 12 matches Recoba was fielded as a left midfielder and in the other 5 as a forward.
It took until Chinos birthday on the 17th of March before he showed his real potential. Lecce were witnesses to the first great performance of the season as Recoba decided the match to the favour of Inter. The first goal was a stunning "80 meter sprint", which started just outside Inters penalty area and ended up in front of the Inter supporters, where the goal was celebrated. The other goal was a deflection from the goalkeeper which fell down to Recoba who fired it home. This was the perfect way to celebrate his 26th birthday.
The second great performance of the season came just the following week. Inter hosted Roma and the winner of this match would have a big advantage in claiming the scudetto. The game started with Vieri setting up Recoba in the second minute. Recoba made the best of it and flew past Samuel and Zebina, rounded Antonioli and made it 1-0. Right before the end of the first half, it was again Vieri and Recoba. Recoba made a very precise cross from the right and Vieri headed home. The game opened again as Totti scored to make it 2-1. Then Recoba gave us one of his trademark free kicks and killed off the match.
Since the Inter-Roma match, Recoba almost played every game for all 90 minutes, sometimes as a forward and sometimes as left midfielder.
Recoba's 6th and last goal of the season came in the second last game against Piacenza. It was another stunning free kick goal that made the season exciting until the end.
In the last match of the season, Inter could have won the scudetto. Inters two goals came off two great Recoba corners, but this was not enough as Recoba desperately tried to make an impact with some great runs and dribbles but with no success. Inter threw it away in the end.
Alvaro Recoba's season started like a nightmare and ended like one when the scudetto was lost on the final day. However, everything between the beginning and the end was great.
Nevertheless, the season has not ended yet. The World Cup is coming up, and Alvaro Recoba could turn the bitterness into joy by leading Uruguay through to the second round and who knows maybe even further.


2001/2002 Game by Game

[recoba.net]