Internazionale Main Thread II

[imperatore]

[Totally FRANK]

Strength in numbers

The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Materazzi may have grabbed the headlines in Inter’s Scudetto triumph, but James Sugrue of Calcio Italia magazine thinks the reserves are the key to the Nerazzurri’s power
Football is a team sport, but Inter have shown that you don’t just need a strong side to succeed at the highest level in calcio – you need two. They may not have had the new signings’ glamour to attract the photographers attention around Appiano Gentile during pre-season, but without the likes of Olivier Dacourt and Julio Cruz it is questionable whether the Nerazzurri would be such heavy favourites for the Serie A title.



The Beneamata’s starting XI for this season is likely to be very similar to the one Coach Roberto Mancini preferred last term, albeit with new arrival Cristian Chivu at left-back. It is an effective side, as shown by the dominant manner in which they strolled to victory in 2006-07. However, Mancio rarely had the opportunity to field his best team last term, even if the performances of the replacements meant it went practically unnoticed.

The biggest example of this was at the heart of the Nerazzurri midfield. At the start of the season Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira were the clear first-choice pairing, but lengthy injuries to both saw the duo start just eight games together. There was no reason to panic though, as Dacourt and Argentine international Santiago Solari stepped in to take their places. Similarly, the likes of Luis Figo and Cruz shook off their veterans’ labels to ensure Inter were never short of international quality in any position.

More of the same can be expected in 2007-08. With the additions of David Suazo, Luis Jimenez and Nelson Rivas the Biscione will have even more strength in depth, which could be the factor that sees them leave the competition behind. Just as importantly, it means that fatigue shouldn’t be an issue in their quest for glory on both the domestic and European fronts.

A quick glance at the Inter substitute’s bench tells its own story. The likes of Francesco Toldo and Walter Samuel would be guaranteed starters at most teams, but must watch much of the action at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza from the sidelines.

Perhaps most telling could be the absence of Adriano from the bench or the pitch. Despite his recent troubles, it is staggering to think that a striker of his raw talent and international experience could well face an uphill struggle just to be named in the Nerazzurri squad this year. In a long season of Serie A and Champions League football, that strength in depth could well give them the edge over the smaller squads of their Scudetto rivals.

[Totally FRANK]

What now for Adriano?

Adriano hasn’t managed a full decent season in Serie A for some time now. With better, fitter players ahead of him, Steve Wilson of Calcio Italia magazine wonders if patience has run out at the San Siro
Which Adriano will we see this season? The fleet-footed powerhouse who has scored some breathtaking goals for Inter and Brazil over the last three years or the lacklustre haunted figure who appears to possess his body for long spells each and every term?

The 25-year-old claims he is ready to fight back and reclaim his mantle as the club’s top striker, but his pre-season appearances and the word of his Coach suggest it might not be as straightforward as he hopes. The Brazilian striker has slipped down the order at the San Siro and when the action kicks off against Udinese on Sunday will likely find himself fifth in line for a start behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Suazo, Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz.

Roberto Mancini’s decision to not even include him in his squad for the Supercoppa is a telling indication of what lies ahead. “My choice with regards to Adriano was purely tactical. I spoke to him and I do not need to explain to anyone else what it is we said,â€

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Ok now pending International duties and injury, what will the formation vs Udinese be? I'm looking for something like this;

-------------------------Cesar--------------------------
Maicon----------Matrix----------Chivu--------Maxwell
----------------------------------------------------------
---------Zanetti---------Vieira----------Stankovic----
----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------Figo----------------------------
--------------Ibra-------------------Suazo--------------

I will be very, very disappointed if; 1. Burdisso plays 2. We dont play with a more attacking style by putting Figo in there 3. Stankovic is subbed considering he rarely plays 2 bad games in a row.

I like the idea of Figo playing for one simple reason; considering we cannot keep our lines compact enough, we need a player like Figo to stay well advanced when Udinese are attacking so when we get the ball back, we have a connection to the strikers and don't have to always result to the long ball to clear. Who the hell are we? Liverfekkin'wankscum?

[caos]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[caos]

we are all in dark here ,no idea who is injured or sick or out of form .
in an interview mancini said burdisso was the most out of form from the sout americans .why the fuck hell let him play then .put zanetti in is place .
in zanetti place put solari .he was fitter having played the friendly .
stanko sick ?? good chance to give jimenez a go .and if did not work figo was on the benc .
thats the mistery of mancio thinking .at the moment he have everbody guessing .

[Dejan-Stankovic]

By the sounds of it briz Stanko has some sort of flu or virus. He should be ok I suppose for the Udinese game. I'm totally against Dacourt in this team unless it is an emergency; he won the ball a few times but gave away just as many fouls right outside the box. Plus, he has no creativity what so ever; something we lacked against Roma. Maybe Mancini rested Maicon and Maxwell so they dont play too many games before Udinese considering there was the SuperCoppa, Internationals and then Udinese.

From what we saw vs Roma, we could say most the players played well but the compactness was what was missing. As long as the team stays closer together on the park, we should do alot better.

Also one other thing I picked up on that has not been addressed from last season; our defense is too deep. We're almost defending inside the penalty box now. We need to push alot further up considering we were gifting them possesioon right on the edge of the box.

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Maicon was suspended.....I never knew that......

I blame the inter site though.... ...They usually put up a list of players who are on yellow cards and those suspended......I did not see that this time....

[Totally FRANK]

Torino inching closer to landing Inter Milan's Recoba
tribalfooball.com - August 21, 2007

Torino president Urbano Cairo is inching closer to landing Inter Milan attacker Alvaro Recoba.
Cairo has had an agreement with Inter president Massimo Moratti over signing Recoba, but had yet to convince the player about moving to Turin.

Tgcom says Cairo's hand has strengthened in the last 48 hours as rivals Atletico Madrid and Napoli have both cooled their interest in the Uruguayan.

"Recoba is a player who everyone would like in their team," said Cairo over the weekend.

[Totally FRANK]

Bojinov ko, il City vuole Recoba
21 08 2007
Dopo l'infortunio di Valerj Bojinov (legamento, fuori almeno cinque mesi), il Manchester City piomba su Alvaro Recoba. Eriksson sta parlando con l'Inter, vorrebbe l'uruguaiano in prestito con diritto di riscatto.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

[imperatore]

Inter chief Massimo Moratti has reacted angrily to Coach Roberto Mancini’s request for further reinforcements. “What we need is humility.â€

[Totally FRANK]

Moves of the summer
The clubs of Serie A have been busy wheeling and dealing this summer but, unlike Del Boy Trotter, which ones have been successful in the market? Serafino Ingardia picks his top 10 transfers
10. Vincenzo MONTELLA
(Roma to Sampdoria, via Fulham)
After eight years l’Aeroplanino flies back to Marassi, where he is still considered a legend. Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham given the lack of room for him at Roma, he is back where he is wanted. Vincenzo is one of Serie A’s most prolific strikers having scored 137 times in Italy’s top flight, 54 of which were for the Blucerchiati. The 33-year-old will be a great addition to Walter Mazzarri’s squad and he will also have the opportunity to end his career with the team he loves.

9. JUAN
(Bayer Leverkusen to Roma)
This Brazilian stopper is exactly what Roma needed to replace Cristian Chivu. The 28-year-old has joined the Giallorossi from Bayer Leverkusen for a reasonable £4.5m. Juan, who was strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, has stated that he cannot wait to start his new adventure at the Olimpico, but he may miss the start of the season due to a muscle strain.

8. Francesco TAVANO
(Valencia to Livorno, via Roma)
One of the most underrated talents of Italian football comes back to Serie A on a permanent basis with Livorno to once again fight for a place in La Nazionale. After a great season with Empoli two years ago, Ciccio joined Spanish side Valencia but didn’t settle in La Liga and his loan to Roma last term was just a temporary solution. The 25-year-old, who has been handed the No 10 jersey, will have all the time he needs in Tuscany to rediscover his sensational skills.

7. TIAGO
(Lyon to Juventus)
His £10m move from French champions Lyon was well received by Juventus fans. Despite a few disappointing performances in the summer friendlies, the ‘new Paulo Sousa’ is Ranieri’s first name on the team sheet, with international experience putting the Portuguese ace ahead of Sergio Almiron and Antonio Nocerino. The former Chelsea man, who was a reported target for Milan and Valencia, will play a key role in Juventus’ midfield as he tries to win his fourth League title in a row.

6. Fabrizio MICCOLI
(Juventus to Palermo, via Benfica)
The pint-sized ace has finally left Juventus to join an ambitious Palermo side. Alongside Amauri he could help form one of the most threatening attacking partnerships in Serie A. The 27-year-old was made available for transfer this summer and President Maurizio Zamparini didn’t miss the chance to sign him at a cheap £3.5m. After two impressive seasons in Portugal on loan at Benfica he will be eager to put in some spectaculars displays on his home turf too.

5. Alexandre PATO
(Internacional to Milan)
Milan’s main catch this summer is this Brazilian wonder kid, who was signed from Internacional for £10m. The Rossoneri are convinced that they have their hands on Kaka’s heir, but only time will tell if the talented 17-year-old has the qualities to be a top-class forward. Meanwhile, he will have to wait until January to make his debut in an official game for Milan due to Italian work laws.

4. Antonio CASSANO
(Real Madrid to Sampdoria)
Il Talentino makes his return to the peninsula after leaving Real Madrid following two disastrous seasons spent bench-warming at the Santiago Bernabeu. At Sampdoria, who paid £800,000 to secure his loan services, the Bari-born hitman will try to finally live up to the potential he showed with Roma. The skilful 25-year-old could be Serie A’s revelation of the season if he manages to control his hot temper and puts his abilities to good use.

3. Cristian CHIVU
(Roma to Inter)
The Romanian defender leaves the Italian capital to join the Nerazzurri after one of the most stressful and unpredictable transfer sagas of the summer. Roberto Mancini is already planning to use the former Ajax ace in several positions and his £9m move – which included Marco Andreolli heading to Rome – has been well accepted by the Inter squad. Chivu, who rejected offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, has already set his sights on winning his first Scudetto and imposing himself on the Champions League.

2. Fabio QUAGLIARELLA
(Sampdoria to Udinese)
Probably Udinese’s best ever capture. Last season’s revelation was co-owned by the Bianconeri and Sampdoria, but with a £5m bid the Zebrette were able to sign the Naples-born striker. Quagliarella had a fantastic time at Marassi last term, scoring 13 goals in 35 appearances, and making his debut for La Nazionale. Playing in the Friulani’s trident attack alongside Totò Di Natale and Antonio Floro Flores, he should be able to raise his level even further.

1. David SUAZO
(Cagliari to Inter)
Milan President Silvio Berlusconi will regret missing out on this Honduran striker, who joined Inter in exchange for the services of Robert Acquafresca plus £6.5m. Suazo, who has already scored 44 Serie A goals, will form a skilful and unpredictable attacking partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It didn’t take long for the former Cagliari star to show his potential – two goals against Manchester United at Old Trafford were his first ‘present’ to the Nerazzurri faithful.

[Totally FRANK]

Now this is what was missing.....
---------------------------------------------------------------
Inter v Udinese: disciplinary situation
Tuesday, 21 August 2007 14:13:09
[FOTO Tuesday, 21 August 2007 14:13:09]

MILAN - Disciplinary situation for Inter's opening fixture of the 2007/08 Serie A season against Udinese (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Sunday 26 August at 15:00):

Inter
Cautioned: -
Disqualified: -

Udinese
Cautioned: -
Disqualified: -

The bookings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Materazzi and Dejan Stankovic during the 2007 Italian Super Cup will count towards suspensions in the league.