Internazionale Main Thread III

[Totally FRANK]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

Yes Dejan but like in most countries, in Italy the first criminal offence doesnt really get you to jail. He swapped those 3 years with a hefty fine and now he is definately working in UK. This article, though not saying anything about his whereabouts tell you that he definately is not in jail -

Antonio Giraudo Set For Juventus Return - Report
The ex-director is in line for a shock comeback…
By Vince Masiello
Feb 4, 2010 9:20:00 AM

Serie A giants Juventus are ready to welcome back former chief executive Antonio Giraudo, according to Italian weekly magazine Panorama.

Giraudo was banned from football by a sports tribunal for his role in the 2006 Calciopoli match-fixing scandal and was also sentenced to three years in prison last December after being convicted on charges of criminal association and sporting fraud by an Italian court.

Panorama claims that Giraudo’s strong ties with Margherita Agnelli, the daughter of ex-Juve patron Gianni, could pave the way for his sensational return to the Stadio Olimpico.

The Bianconeri have recently given the role of vice director general to Roberto Bettega, their vice president at the time of the scandal which rocked Italian football.

Former director general Luciano Moggi was also banished from football for five years in 2006 and has recently admitted that he might consider a return to football management once his ban expires next year.

But he insisted that he would only go back to Juve if the current administration, namely president Jean-Claude Blanc, stepped aside and Andrea Agnelli, the nephew of Gianni, be allowed to assume a high-profile role within the club.

Andrea recently visited the team’s training base at Vinovo, along with his cousin and club patron John Elkann.

Andrea had already been linked with a director role at Juve prior to the Calciopoli scandal and Giraudo was said to be pulling the strings back then

[Lombardiamia]

Dejan, only CSKA Moskow use synthetc turf. Rubin & Dynamo use normal turf. But I agree with you that the synthetic turf cannot possibly be used as an excuse in case we fail to qualify tonight. CSKA themselves have a better away record than at home in Europe. What worries me most is that they cancelled their weekend fixture against Zenit due to safety reasons....they say. They will certainly be fresher than we are, especially considering that their league has just recently begun.
I should believe that if Sneijder doesnt make it, Stankovic would be used in the 4-3-3 formation not the 4-2-3-1. Last saturday's performance was quite impressive TBH.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

I just checked it and it said that they use a Motomatic grass surface. What that is, I'm not sure. I thought they'd all use synthetic pitches but apparently not.

Just looking around the Inter sites and they say that Sneijder's situation is looking good so they expect him to play from the first minute but I suppose it's still unconfirmed. Mou said he's willing to take the risk seeing as it's our most important game of the season and I can't really disagree with him even if it means losing him for both games against Fio.

About the formation, the 4-3-3 is good but I'd like to see Motta given the playmaking role and Stankovic and Cambiasso in behind him to give him some room for error and that would be our best way to goal imo. You'd also think that Pandev would be given more playmaking responsibility.

[Lombardiamia]

About the synthetic pitch, Mou yesterday said 'If 31 participants of the CL use normal turf and 1 uses synthetic turf, it certainly doesnt mean that 31 clubs are wrong and 1 is right..'. So I am assuming that its only CSKA who uses that.
I honestly wouldnt play a player with a high risk of a bigger injury. It's true this is a very important match, but if he has a re-injury, it may turn really ugly. I would prefer resting him in order to be fully healed when he plays again. Of course Mou will not take this into consideration since for him, the next match is always the most important, so...

[maro]

Presumably it might mean that most of the 31 don't play in Moscow and the 1 does, no?

[Lombardiamia]

Well no other team from Moskow plays on synthetic Maro. It's not like Moscow cant grow any grass...

[maro]

That would have been an almost infinitely more intelligent observation than the one from Moaninho you've quoted above, Lomba. Still, how many teams are there in Moscow who could afford to put in a synthetic pitch but play on a grass one?

[Lombardiamia]

I have no idea what the clubs from Moskow can afford, but I still dont understand CSKA's reasons for having a synthetic pitch. I mean I dont believe they have much advantages, apart maybe less maintenance..? And I am not sure whether synthetic pitches are less affordable than grass ones...In Malta clubs prefer to have synthetic grounds,but I'd assume that that is the less cost effective solution, rather than the most expensive.

[maro]

In Malta, presumably it's to do with lack of fresh water; in Moscow, surely it's to do with snow? I'm sure the synthetic pitch means the quality of the pitch can be maintained over the course of a season and also ensures games won't be snowed or frozen off.

[Totally FRANK]

Here's an article on synthetic pitches

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editor ... moscow-the

[maro]

Good work, 'n Beans - the final four paragraphs there are right on the money, I believe.

[Totally FRANK]

Sneijder fit for CSKA clash
Tuesday 6 April, 2010
Inter have received a boost ahead of tonight's Champions League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow as Wesley Sneijder has been declared fit.

The Holland international reportedly sprained his ankle during a training session yesterday, but he has recovered in time to play in Moscow.

Sneijder is expected to play in the hole behind an ambitious attacking trident composed of Goran Pandev, Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito.

Inter have a 1-0 aggregate lead from last Wednesday's first leg at San Siro thanks to Diego Milito, although Jose Mourinho felt his side should have scored more.

However, the Nerazzurri remain favourites to reach the Champions League semi-finals, something they haven't done for seven years.

If Inter do progress, they will face either Barcelona or Arsenal.

[Lombardiamia]

Well ok, I'd assume that because of Russia's geographical problems, a synthetic pitch is more suitable. So apart from any game disadvantages, let's hope we dont get any injuries too. This is a big worry for Sneijder if he is to be risked..