Materazzi Headbutt #2, the Video

By: Martha | January 29th, 2007

Look, the video! The quality isn’t great, but since you get to see the impact from roughly 40 different angles, it’s hard to complain too much.

Honestly, I have a lot of issues with Materazzi’s behavior in general, but it’s hard not to respect him, in a weird way, for provoking this sort of situation. I mean, there’s no doubt that Delvecchio should have been sent off, but Matrix created the confrontation entirely on his own — even if Julio Cesar WAS nicked by Delvecchio’s studs (something of which I remain unconvinced), everyone seemed very happy to let it go. Everyone, that is, besides Materazzi. Whether he flew in out of rage or in a calculated attempt to get the Samp man sent off is anyone’s guess, but it’s impossible to deny that Matrix’s actions positively affected the game for his team: Playing against 10 men is a whole lot easier than trying to beat 11. (Of course, if you listen to him, he was the victim, a man simply trying to get others to abide by the rules. You know, like he does. Always.)

And, don’t forget: The two teams play again this week in the second leg of the Coppa semis. Were Inter not already up 3-0, this would be a great chance for a pitched battle. As it is, Matrix will probably be watching from the safety of the stand as his teammates cruise into the final.

Some Related Serie A Posts:

Category: Inter, Serie A

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Laurie

I was kinda kidding, Martha. Although I think he did make some attempt to make it look like an accident. As all good players should. (I believe Making It Look Like An Accident is taught as an auxiliary topic in Diving School.);-)
Tab

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Delvecchio knew what he was doing. I wish they would give cards for trash talking though... I almost don't blame Delvecchio for doing it.
Pete

the goalie grabs the wrong leg.
if he hit him at all it was the goalies left leg
but he grabs the right. and even limps on the left. this is why i cant stand italian soccer.
Paolo

Come oooooon, are you guys for real? You really think that headbut was accidental? The dude, as he was getting up, closed his eyes tight and lunged. He knew what he was doing and thought no one was looking. I know its easy to hate Materazzi and Inter but are you guys serious? What Delvecchio did warrnted a red card and I am sorry but Materazzi didn't deserve the yellow as well. Its just like when Messina's coach wouldn't give him the ball for the throw in, a yellow was issued just beacuse it was Materazzi he didn't do anything but try to get the ball back. You hear anyone complaining that Totti didn't get 2 games for a straight red card last week? Nope. Because he is Totti and and because Roma are at the Meazza next week they felt he only needed one game instead fo the two games that automatically go with a straight red card. Anyhow in this situation Materazzi did nothing wrong except go down on contact in the 8th min of a game. What about players diving late in games to try and draw penalties to at least get the tie. Fact of the matter...... that was the easiest red card that ref would ever have to issue and Samp could have had 12 guys on the field and would not have beat Inter. Maybe I am bias over the situation because I am a huge Inter fan but you can't deny Dlevecchio led with his cleats, Materazzi had every right to stick up for his keeper and Delvecchio intentionally headbut Materazzi hoping to get away with it.
Martha

Man you two are suckers! (: I'm 100% sure Delvecchio knew exactly what he was doing -- Matrix's head was there when he started to stand up, and he knew damn well it was going to be there once he followed through. Plus, NO ONE stands up there hard, just to get upright! Please.
Muddia Dome

I kinda agree with Laurie on this one. At least from the first angle, it looked quite accidental. I understand the red card thing, but it bothers me that a team can be forced to play essentially the entire game a man down. And I did think it right that Matrix got carded as well, because even if there was contact, he definately overacted by diving like he was hit by a sniper.
Laurie

And yet again, Materazzi makes me feel like coughing up hairballs.

And it looks to me like the headbutt was TOTALLY an accident! The poor guy was just standing up! (FORCEFULLY standing up. Like I would have in this situation. But I would have stood up even MORE forcefully.)

I wonder if Matrix likes his wife to beat him. He sure seems to enjoy it.
Paolo

Materazzi is the player you love to hate, but if he was doing this for your side you would love him. Whether or not Delvecchio made contact with Cesar, and I think he did, he led with his cleats up. Once he realized he had no chance of getting the ball his foot turned up. Big no no. DO NOT MESS WITH GOALIES, in any sport. Ever see a goalie get hacked in hockey? If you hacked him get ready to get cracked by like 3 opposing players. Materazzi didn't do anything wrong, he ran up and gave him a warning. What that moron was thinking was beyond. He headbut him plain and simple. Whether it cut him, bruised him or did nothing at all... he headbut him. Get off the field Stronzo and don't act like you didn't mean to do it, you knew what you were doing.
Ginkers

Love him or loathe him, you can't ignore him. These sort of incidents are his bread and butter as you may have noticed he spends 90% of his games either booting the opposition, intimidating them or falling down claiming a penalty/looking for an opponent to be sent off. The biggest shame was is it could have been a great game with 11 against 11 as Samp were really up for it.