Milan v Internazionale: the game that made Mark Hateley a Rossoneri hero

20 November 2016 10:00
In the space of six months in 1984, Mark Hateley went from playing for Portsmouth in the Second Division to scoring the winner in the Milan derbyBy Luca Hodges-Ramon for The Gentleman Ultra, of the Guardian Sport NetworkItalian football can be an unforgiving world for British players. The methodical practices, tactical rigours and conformist culture have alienated some of Britain’s finest exports. Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law, Joe Baker and Ian Rush all struggled to adapt to the hard-line approaches of their coaches and the panopticon surveillance of the unrelenting media. Few British footballers have been entirely successful in Italy. John Charles’ prolific time at Juventus between 1957 and 1962 – winning three Scudetti and scoring 108 goals in 155 games – remains an exception.Other players have enjoyed cult status without truly delivering on the pitch. Despite his career-stymieing injuries and psychological battles, Paul Gascoigne’s gregarious, mischievous and down-to-earth personality ensured he was loved by Lazio fans – that and the small matter of his late equaliser in the Rome derby in 1992. Indeed, making a name for yourself in the derby can be a surefire way to endear yourself to Italian fans. For Mark Hateley, this certainly proved the case at Milan. Related: Milan: Serie A alternative club guide Related: How Gheorghe Hagi went from Real Madrid to Barcelona . via Serie B Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian