Champions League Semi-Final: The football community in Milan, reeking of wealth and fame, seldom contains an underdog who might spark sympathy from outsiders.
Even as he wonders whether he will still have a job once his Internazionale side complete their Champions League semi-final with their city rivals tonight, few will pause to spare a compassionate thought for Hector Cuper.
The Argentinian has never had a coterie, and a reputation for tactical stuffiness has prevented his sides from attracting admiration beyond the ranks of club zealots. If you really want to be harsh, you could accuse the coach of being a grim pragmatist whose methods aren't even effective.
Few seasons seem complete without searing misery for him. A year ago Inter led Serie A by a point only to cede the title to Juventus by losing at Lazio on the last day. A gracious Cuper recently told an interviewer that he had come to the right man if he wanted to talk about coming off second best.
In 1999, he got Real Mallorca past Chelsea but suffered the first of his blows from Lazio when losing the Cup Winners' Cup final to them. The two subsequent campaigns saw him take Valencia to the Champions League final.
On the first occasion, by his own admission, the side were too starry-eyed when it needed far more dourness. Real Madrid overwhelmed them. A year on Valencia were much improved but Bayern Munich, with Oliver Kahn between the posts, saw them off in a penalty shootout. Three seasons, three finals, three defeats. Cuper could be disregarded as a congenital loser, but there is an obstinacy about him.
He was not particularly popular at the Mestalla, yet he was never deterred. With the season barely begun in 1999, there were already calls for him to be sacked after a few poor results. At that stage he was preparing to begin the European campaign with a match against Rangers.
Even with his words coming through the medium of a translator that day, there was an impression not only that he was flinty, but that there was also a plan in mind. Although he did not win the trophy, it was impressive that he could guide Valencia to the final from such a starting point.
For a man with melancholy experiences on his record, a relocation to Milan should have been discouraged. Inter have not been champions of Italy for 14 years. As far as achievement goes since then, they have had to content themselves with the UEFA Cup in 1998.
It does not satisfy the fans or, more disturbingly, the president Massimo Moratti, and there are suggestions that Roberto Mancini will come from Lazio to replace him.
This year, Serie A was effectively lost for Cuper with a thorough 3-0 defeat by Juventus.
The coach is almost a misfit in these semi-finals. Carlo Ancelotti draws on his fame as a player in great days with Milan. Marcello Lippi is once again dominating Italy from Turin. The unassuming Vicente del Bosque can always let Real Madrid's record do his boasting for him.
Despite it all, Cuper is persistent. He was born into poverty, went on to win eight caps with Argentina and got on to the coaching ladder with clubs in his native land before gripping a fairly lowly rung at Real Mallorca. Some footballers have been antagonised by his sternness, but it was natural for that trait to deepen in him.
Today Cuper may believe that the situation before him is enticing. The first game with Milan was a 0-0 draw and the return leg at the San Siro is deemed a home match.
Maybe the prolific Christian Vieri, who scored the winner for Lazio against Mallorca four years ago, might make amends if he has a part to play tonight.
The three weeks in which the striker was supposed to recover from a knee ligament injury have now been completed. It is suggested that he will not be risked, but that may only be subterfuge by Cuper.
With or without him, Inter will stand a chance and the competition could be assuming an unexpected character.
How odd if a belittled Argentinian should be the man to restore Serie A pride by giving Italy its first Champions League winner since 1996.
Guardian Service
Inter (0) v AC Milan (0)
San Siro, 7.45
Television: TV3, UTV
