Internazionale Main Thread III

[Totally FRANK]

Blog: Rafa-lution already in retreat

James Horncastle thinks some cracks have already started to emerge in Rafa Benitez's Inter

Lost among the controversial sound-bites like “zeru tituli”, “intellectual prostitution” and the “noise of our enemies”, Jose Mourinho had another much more revealing mantra from his time at Inter that strikes to the heart of the game itself. “Who knows only football, knows nothing about football,” he said.

The inference at its most basic is that tactics will only get you so far, something that perhaps takes Rafa Benitez out of his comfort zone. The Spaniard is as meticulous and precise as the Special One - of that there is no doubt. He is a workaholic who prepares for and reads the game as well as anyone.

But when it comes to relating to his players beyond the chalkboard, there is a shortfall, which in itself can create a deficit in discipline. Try as you may to put a positive spin on Benitez's first 100 days in Serie A, it's hard to escape the feeling that September was quite remarkable in terms of discontent at Inter, especially in light of Mario Balotelli's departure.

The ice cold Diego Milito, usually so reserved in his demeanour, kicked out at a boot bag after being substituted during Inter's 2-1 victory over Udinese on September 11 and decided against giving Benitez a hi-five when he was replaced again a week later, choosing instead to grumble within ear shot of the nearest TV camera, asking: “Why am I always the one to come off?”

The Argentine's agent Fernando Hidalgo even came out and said: “Someone like Milito needs to feel the support of the Coach in order to give his best. Last year, he gave his utmost because he felt that the Coach had blind faith in him. Mourinho always made him feel indispensable - the best in the world. Now, this doesn't happen under Benitez. He always feels under examination and the early substitutions bear witness to that.”

Milito hasn't been the only one to question Benitez's handling of the team. Against Roma, Cristian Chivu was seen complaining midway through the first half that Samuel Eto'o wasn't giving him any cover on the flank, shouting to the bench: “If something doesn't change, I'm coming off.”

Petulant though the Romanian's actions may sound, he had a perfectly valid point and one that was backed up by Dejan Stankovic and Douglas Maicon after the game, who not only said that Chivu had his reasons, but also added that Eto'o had been “egotistical” up front.

The weekend before, the Cameroon international had demanded to take Inter's second penalty against Bari even though he'd scored the first when Milito could have done with another for his fragile confidence. Moreover, Eto'o's selfishness can in part be put down to a problem Mourinho created that Benitez has failed to deal with.

“Last year I played almost as a defender and we won. This year, I play more as a striker and we still win,” Eto'o said. “I spoke to Rafa when I was on holiday in the summer. He told me that he wanted me to play in the same role [as under Mourinho] and I replied that I would like to play more in the middle. His reply was: 'We'll see how we can adapt'. The result is now I start on the left with fewer commitments to track back and the chance to move into the centre and shoot.”

Benitez gave Eto'o an inch and he has taken a mile, although the triple Champions League winner has repaid him in goals, scoring 11 in all competitions. But it must be said at a notable cost to the team, leading some to even suggest that Inter have regressed to the time when 'just give it to Ibra' was enough to resolve matches only this time with Eto'o instead. Goals are proving especially hard to come by elsewhere with Wesley Sneijder yet to score in Serie A. The bench is also worse for Mario Balotelli's absence, although Benitez certainly hasn't been dealt any favours by the Nerazzurri's tightening of the purse strings.

As Chivu's outburst against Roma revealed, Inter can't play the 4-2-3-1 they used last season if it's so lopsided as to leave one flank completely exposed to the raids of opposition full-backs and wingers, not if Eto'o is no longer willing to sacrifice himself on the flanks. It may still work in certain kinds of games like against Bari, a team one can describe as a counter-attacking hermit crab whose full-back, Nico Pulzetti, always sticks rigidly to his position in his own half. Others will look to exploit the loophole, though.

Given his outstanding form, it would now be very difficult indeed for Benitez to ask Eto'o to change his game. He has made a rod for his own back, albeit one that scores plenty of goals. But it has led to the players questioning his methods, which, as the above examples demonstrate, some clearly don't share. Sulley Muntari is the latest to fall out with Benitez, choosing to go home rather than sit in the stands after his name wasn't included in the squad to face Juventus on Sunday.

And the challenges to his authority didn't stop there either. Maicon saw Benitez was considering a change during the Derby d'Italia and made it clear that Jonathan Biabiany should be the one substituted. His Coach duly obliged, which proved particularly humiliating for the youngster, who had intimated that he'd like to carry on despite picking up a knock. Such things would never happen under Mourinho. He personally banned Julio Cruz and Mario Balotelli for acting like Milito did against Udinese and Palermo in particular. Not so under Benitez.

The animals may not yet be running the zoo, but as one source within Inter was quoted as saying in La Repubblica this week: “There is no longer a lion tamer with the whip and the players have less hunger than a year ago.”

Talk of a crisis is still premature, though. Benitez has already referred a few unconvinced journalists to the League tables. Inter currently lie second in Serie A and top of their Champions League group. Injuries to Walter Samuel, Javier Zanetti, Goran Pandev and Thiago Motta have certainly played their part, and lest we forget it's still very early days in his tenure. But this is Inter's worst start to the season in five years and it appears the doubt and neuroses that plagued Inter before Mourinho's arrival have already returned.

Is it any wonder that Fabio Capello's CV, that of a staunch disciplinarian, was at the top of the pile ahead of Benitez's on Massimo Moratti's desk earlier this summer?

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

Leave the poor sod alone. Lord knows we all hope all is well with him and he's missed, most certainly. Presumably, though, he's either immersed in something fantastically good - in which case he won't want to be interrupted and will, hopefully, return when he gets the chance and inclination - or something terribly bad - let's hope not, but in which case he'd be even less keen to be interrupted - or he's travelling, or is suffering from post-Mou depression. All in all, it seems least likely that he can't get back in here even though he's trying to so let's just cross our fingers he returns sooner rather than later.

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Ya, that's what worries me too. If it was something planned I am sure he would have told us about it. At this point, I suppose all we can do is wait and hope its not bad.

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

[RomaShield27]

We can track IP's yes, but its impossible to know if he's visited the site even as a guest with the same IP. From his IP records I can track where exactly he is from is Australia, but it doesn't reveal any further personal details.

[Messinterista]

Yup. So the IP that he has used the most (should say that the ISP is based in Melbourne somewhere) has that hit this site since sept 7?

[Totally FRANK]

Both Milito and Cambiasso are injured after today's game against Japan. I hate these international breaks.

[Messinterista]

Would Milito have started with the form that Eto'o is in? Shame about Cambiasso. These International breaks are OK just as long they are used for competitive matches like qualifiers for continental competitions, friendlies can wait for the off season.

[Messinterista]

Wesley Sneijder Confirms He Will Sign Inter Contract Extension

Wesley Sneijder will sign a new deal with Inter soon.

Wesley Sneijder's Inter contract talks have become visible again, and he will reportedly sign a 2015 extension.

Reports on Wednesday suggested Sneijder's new deal had been put off after negotiations with the club had become hampered over wages.

But both sides have walked back into the negotiating room and wiped away differences to agree a deal.

And Sneijder confirmed they are on course to rubber stamp it.

"This is my club and I am very well here. In around two weeks we will close the deal for the renewal," Sneijder told Il Corriere dello Sport.

He is expected to sign on until 2015 and his €4 million per annum wages will rise to €6m.

Meanwhile, reports in Italy claims Dejan Stankovic will sign a two-year extension to 2013. His current deal expires next summer.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/20 ... r-contract

[Messinterista]

Milito and Cambiasso at risk

Reports from the Argentina camp suggest Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso won’t recover in time to face Cagliari.
The two Inter stars picked up injuries on international duty during Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Japan.

They both had muscular problems and it’s reported that they will not be able to recover in time for the Serie A match with Cagliari.

There will be further tests tomorrow, but the general mood in the Nerazzurri medical staff is not optimistic.

Source: http://football-italia.net/oct09u.html
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This is all I could find regarding Milito and Cambiasso. Doesn't sound good.

[Lombardiamia]

Great!

[Messinterista]

Muntari-Barzagli exchange?
Sunday 10 October, 2010

Inter outcast Sulley Muntari could be handed to Wolfsburg in order to bring Andrea Barzagli back to Italy.
Ghanaian midfielder Muntari’s rapport with the club is at breaking point after he walked out of the stadium rather than sit in the stands for the clash with Juventus.

A January transfer seems inevitable and he has been linked with a series of Premiershit sides.

However, it is reported today in the Italian media that Muntari will be handed to Wolfsburg in exchange for Barzagli.

It would enable the Nerazzurri to reinforce an area of the defence where they are struggling for alternatives.

Wolfsburg would be happy to make the switch, as that way they would avoid losing Barzagli on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.

The reports intensified after Barzagli was spotted in Milan on Saturday, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

It would be a return to Serie A for the 2006 World Cup winner, who has played for Chievo and Palermo.

Source: http://football-italia.net/oct10g.html
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FI are really scraping for material atm...

[Totally FRANK]

In a way Milito being out injured is good as Eto'o is in red hot form and we have played our best till now with him as the central striker. Cambiasso is a huge loss.
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Inter lose Argentine pair
Monday 11 October, 2010
Inter could be without Esteban Cambiasso and Diego Milito for up to a month after confirming the pair have picked up injuries.

The duo sustained hamstring problems last week while playing for Argentina against Japan in an international friendly.

Back in Milan today, the South American duo underwent a variety of tests which confirmed both had pulled their hamstrings.

Cambiasso has suffered a first degree strain, while the former Genoa striker will have to recover from a first-to-second degree issue.

Although Inter have so far refused to estimate when the two players will be back in action, the Italian media are speculating that the duo will be out for at least three weeks.

Cambiasso should return to full training within 21 days if all goes to plan, but Milito will be sidelined for a little longer.

There is good news for Inter boss Rafael Benitez though as Walter Samuel and Thiago Motta are back in action after their fitness issues.

The Nerazzurri face Cagliari on Sunday with Javier Zanetti a contender to replace Cambiasso, while Samuel Eto’o will start in the centre of the attack.

[Messinterista]

Yeah could be a blessing in disguise for Benitez. He has an excuse now to leave Milito off and keep Eto'o playing.

[RomaShield27]

lol, talk about fantasy football. So who thinks it will happen?

Zanetti to tempt Messi to Inter
– Tuesday 12 October, 2010

Inter are drawing up a strategy to lure Lionel Messi away from Barcelona which may involve Javier Zanetti, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 23-year-old was in Milan at the weekend to sign a lucrative sponsorship deal with Italian fashion that house Dolce and Gabbana. He also had time to dine with Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, prompting the Italian papers to claim the Argentine is falling in love with Milan. Inter President Massimo Moratti didn’t exactly help matters when he joked with a group of supporters that Messi will be a gift for them in January.

La Gazzetta dello Sport now believes Inter have a long-term strategy to sign the Ballon d’Or winner. Inter already have good relations with Messi’s entourage, so much so that when Manchester City reportedly bid for him, they were told that Moratti has first refusal.

The Nerazzurri’s chief technical director Marco Branca has already met the player’s father in Barcelona, who also apparently had breakfast at Moratti’s house. La Gazzetta also mentions the Messi family’s habit of marrying women of Italian descendent as a possible reason why the player might consider a move to Inter.

However, the pink paper believes fellow Argentine Javier Zanetti could well be the deal breaker. Inter will apparently launch a bid for Messi in 2013 by which time Zanetti will be a director. They feel that The Flea, as Messi is known, could be Zanetti’s first major signing for the club.

[Lombardiamia]