Internazionale Main Thread IV

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

Funny. We've also become a joke for our supporters now...

[Messinterista]

[red]

Good effort from Inter, even if I still didn't expect them to win when it went to extratime because of their poor fitness level.

There was me thinking that Villas Boas was learning and becoming quite a good coach, but I may have to revise that opinion.

Playing a high line while you team is heavily outnumbered in midfield - so can't put pressure on the ball - is a remarkably stupid thing to do. To not make changes to stop it happening (Spurs had the players on the pitch to just match up to Inter) compounded the error. He only made a change, bringing on an extra midfielder, once the second goal had gone in and Inter had momentum and belief that was going to make it very hard for Spurs towards the end of the ninety minutes.

Anyway, I think I'll now have to bet all my worldly possessions on Inter not having the energy to get a result at the weekend.

[Messinterista]

So close yet so far, top effort by the lads.
Even though we just missed out on the next stage and the match went to extra time, the team's confidence on a whole (as well as Moratti's for Strama) would have went through the roof.
We finally don't have to worry about this silly competition and hopefully the team puts in a top performance for the final 10 matches of the season. 10 in a row should get us into the champions league eh

[RomaShield27]

AVB urges action after Spurs players targeted for racist abuse by Inter fans
/ 15 MARCH 2013

UEFA is expected to decide today whether Inter Milan will face action after racist abuse appeared to be directed at Tottenham players in last night's Europa League tie. Spurs lost the last-16 second leg 4-1 after extra-time but progressed to the quarter-finals on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.

However, the main talking point after the match revolves around the racist abuse directed at Tottenham players. Monkey chants appeared to be aimed at several Spurs players, notably goalscorer Emmanuel Adebayor, while a fan was seen with an inflatable banana.

It is not the first time Spurs have had problems against Italian sides this season, with Lazio reprimanded for racist behaviour in both their Group J ties. Inter have also recently been punished for racist abuse and manager Andre Villas-Boas expects governing body UEFA to act.

"It's a very sensitive situation," the Portuguese said. "UEFA set out to act on that situation. It was very, very easy to hear the chanting so I am sure that UEFA will act on it.

"It's difficult for Inter Milan because it is something that in some way has happened before. It doesn't mar the game but it is something that should have been avoided."

UEFA would not comment on the matter last night, a spokesperson saying the body would only be able to look in to the issue if it was mentioned in the match delegate's report, which is due to arrive today.

The fact Tottenham had to contend with more racist abuse understandably overshadowed what was a difficult night on the field. Having romped to a 3-0 win the first leg, Spurs were outclassed at the San Siro as Antonio Cassano, Rodrigo Palacio and a William Gallas own goal took the game to extra-time.

------

No doubt they were just calling Adebayor a prick, right Lomba?

[kros]

Excellent effort by the guys ...

Yesterday's game proves what I think about the team. Players like Zanetti, Cambiasso and Cassano are superb players. But at their age / fitness level, they will only rise for the occasion on big games like yesterday. They do not have the stamina / fitness level to play like that every games. The problem is that when they are on the bench, we do not have decent substitutes for them.

Now lets hope in a superb end of season. Who knows, maybe Napoli's dull moment will continue and we will be able to slip into 3rd place? There's also the CI that I wouldn't mind winning ... although the club directors would probably disagree, as a supporter, I'd rather get a trophy than a 3rd place.

[RomaShield27]

He was completely knackered last night and could barely stand, but when he got the ball at his feet no wonder he kept going:

Cassano nets €200k bonus
By Football Italia staff

Antonio Cassano is €200,000 richer after the Inter man activated a bonus clause in his contract last night. The Italian agreed a €2.7m deal with the Nerazzurri in the summer after he asked to leave city rivals Milan.

As part of that agreement, he was promised an extra €200,000 should he take part in 20 goals this season – either through scoring them himself or via assists.

The Italian reached that tally at San Siro yesterday in the 4-1 win over Tottenham in the Europa League. Cassano scored his tenth goal of the campaign on Thursday. He has eight in Serie A, one in the Europa League and one in the Coppa Italia.

[Lombardiamia]

[kros]

[juventino_italiano]

[Totally FRANK]

[Totally FRANK]

The story behind the ups at downs at 'crazy' Inter

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcuni ... 28?cc=5901

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A Week 29 - 17 Mar 2013
Sampdoria - Inter
Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Inter's midweek heroics might just be what is needed to get them out of their ‘period of difficulty’, just in time for the visit to Samp.

"The truth is that we are in a period of great difficulty," claimed boss Andrea Stramaccioni in midweek, acknowledging the club's struggles in Serie A that leave them adrift of third place. "Milito's injury has not only taken away options in attack, but also affected the choices in other areas of the pitch," he revealed as he explained the physical struggles of his players.

But the performance against Tottenham Hotspur - albeit in an ultimately failed attempt to qualify - shows the team still has the quality to reach their objectives, and perhaps supports Stramaccioni's assertion from earlier in the week that he has not lost the players.

"The first half against Bologna confirms that the head can influence the legs and the play. But the second half of games has made me understand that the team is still with me," he said.

He did also apportion some blame to the Europa League - "once again we have paid the price for our efforts in Europe" - and having played 120 minutes on Thursday evening they could find themselves paying the price for it again.

That is assuming Sampdoria can take advantage having had one of their worst performances of the season last week in losing to Cagliari.

"It was too bad to be true," raged Coach Delio Rossi. "It does not seem like the team we have seen until now. This Samp is not even a relation of the one we have seen so far."

He was so angry that there were reports the following day that Rossi demanded an explanation from his team as to why they were so poor.

He has a full compliment of players to pick from on Sunday, giving him options to change things around as a result of the defeat should he wish.

Inter are without Yuto Nagatomo, who has left knee ligament damage, and Matias Silvestre who is absent with a calf strain. Juan Jesus is suspended, though Walter Samuel has been training with the squad since Monday and could feature on the bench.

Keep an eye on: Fredy Guarin (Inter) - Inter's stand-out performer in midfield this season, and in the team in general. Has had to manage in a slightly unfamiliar position further forward but has still demonstrated the quality to drag his side through games.

Form guide: Sampdoria (W D W W L) Inter (W L D W L)

Last season: Not played

Stat fact: Sampdoria and Inter have picked up the fewest yellow cards this season - 58 and 59 respectively - of any team in Serie A.

Sampdoria (probable): Sergio Romero; Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa; De Silvestri, Poli, Krsticic, Obiang, Estigarribia; Eder, Icardi

Inter (probable): Handanovic; Zanetti, Ranocchia, Chivu, Alvaro Pereira; Kuzmanovic, Gargano; Schelotto, Guarin, Alvarez; Palacio

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/m ... view/22389

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

The lads need the break.

[p_maldini_3]

you guys finally got some luck.

[Messinterista]

Anyone believe this talk about us agreeing to terms with Sanchez? I don't think it will happen for several reasons ( here are two )
1. Transfer fee and wages would be too high (Barca have shown interest in Hand, maybe there is a bargaining tool?)
2. He will probably want champions league football next season - that ain't happening.

[Lombardiamia]