Marco Materazzi often embodies the emotion and determination of Inter and this week was no different. Speaking to the Gazzetta Dello Sport, ‘Matrix’ was full of passion, but spoke with some insight that the Nerazzurri should not ignore. Inter should not focus on the Derby D’Italia fuelled with a need to avenge old rivalries, simply hoping to put pay to their Scudetto challenge, but instead should focus on the Champions League. This mentality is more similar to the way The Old Lady have looked at this fixture for years.

Bold. That was the initial reaction of many after reading the Roma line-up ahead of their first European cup semi-final for 34 years. Eusebio Di Francesco decided to stick with the formula that had overcome Barcelona a fortnight ago. With a slight difference being Cengiz Under replacing Patrik Schick.

It turned out less bold and more reckless to the point of insanity.

The final four of this year’s Champions League reads: holders Real Madrid, German heavyweights Bayern Munich, English giants Liverpool and Roma.

After Roma pulled off the stunning comeback over Barcelona to secure a dream semi-final booking in the UEFA Champions League, the Giallorossi were drawn with Liverpool - a clash with plenty of narratives and intriguing storylines. However, none captured more attention and media buzz than the ties shared with Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.

It looked for all the world as if Juventus were going to get what they wanted yet again. With two results out of three in their favour, the Bianconeri played for much of their key Scudetto clash with Napoli as if their only desire were a draw. They held it in a loving embrace for almost the entirety of the match - until Kalidou Koulibaly powerfully tore it from their grasp.

Gonzalo Higuain is such a strange character, isn’t he? Il Pipita can be so deadly, but just when people start thinking he is a world beater, he somehow manages to miss an incredible chance and his form suddenly drops. Then, just when the critics are ready to label him as a flop, the Argentinian shows his best side and leaves football experts, as well as probably his Coach and teammates, wondering which Higuain will show up in the next game.

November 16, 2003. Sangiovannese take on Aglianese in Serie C2, a 0-0 draw without a single shot on target, watched by just 1,400 fans. The encounter may not have seemed particularly significant at the time, but just under 15 years later the two Coaches that day will lock horns once again, in the biggest match of the Serie A season.

Just 10 minutes. That’s all it took. If Napoli defy the odds and win the Scudetto that their fans and seemingly every neutral in the world is dying to see, then this 600 seconds will be viewed as the most important. The most season-defining minutes of a throwing-all-their-eggs-in-one-basket campaign.

There is no escaping the fact that Juventus were fully focused on the Champions League this season. Just as it has in the previous three campaigns, UEFA’s elite competition has dominated the club’s planning, their approach to other games and of course Max Allegri’s team selection on a week-to-week basis. The recent quarter-final clash with Real Madrid proved that beyond all doubt, the Coach and his players very clearly taking their attention away from domestic matters in the matches surrounding that two-legged tie.

The rhetoric before Inter faced Cagliari had the same repetitive and dull ring to it. Like a small Milanese church, hidden between the modern structures of the city, people acknowledged it but thought nothing more. Before they hosted the Sardinians, they had not scored in the last three, a rather dismal and insipid display, when one considers they are vying for the Champions League. Still Luciano Spalletti had to rally his troops and his frustrated fans, but the message, whilst heartfelt, had been all been heard before.