Internazionale Main Thread III

[Messinterista]

As much as I'd like to sell Cesar for Viviano, would Manure buy him? He is 31. If we do sell Milito back to Genoa, how much can we expect to get. Selling him to Real is out of the question now as they just snapped up Adebayor (If Milito was ever really in their frame of mind). With what I have read about Castaignos it is bound to happen sooner or later. Probably at the end of this season. Montolivo would be great but I have read very little about this move. Our CB issue won't be too much of a problem. Don't forget we have Ranocchia who can slot in as a starting CB. We should look out for another one to get, perhaps on a free.

[Messinterista]

Official: Muntari joins Sunderland

As expected, Inter midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari has completed his loan switch to Sunderland.
The Ghana international had been in negotiations for several days and put pen to paper on Saturday afternoon.

Sunderland announced the move on their official website and “he will not figure against Chelsea on Tuesday, but should be available for next Saturday’s trip to Stoke.”

Muntari had been increasingly squeezed out of the Nerazzurri side, especially after showing his irritation at a substitution earlier this month.

He won the Treble with Inter last season, the Club World Cup and Italian Super Cup.

It is a return to the Premiershit for the man who played for Portsmouth in 2007-08.

Muntari also reunites with former Udinese teammate Asamoah Gyan.

Source: http://football-italia.net/jan29l.html
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Only on loan? I thought we would have got rid of him for good!

[Totally FRANK]

What a game! Two things that are guaranteed from our clash against Palermo always is that Miccoli will score and it will be entertaining.

Dream debut for Pazzini. Two superbly taken goals and winning a penalty, one can't ask more than that. Not to mention Kharja is so much better than Muntari.

Palermo again targeted Santon just like they did last season. He was a little unlucky on the first goal but he is far from the Santon who made his debut under Mourinho.

[Messinterista]

Forza Pazzo Pazzini!!!!!!!!!!1

[Messinterista]

Inter 3 - 2 Palermo
Miccoli 5 (P), Nocerino 38 (P), Pazzini 57, 73 (I), Eto'o pen 76 (I)
Stadio Meazza


Giampaolo Pazzini made the perfect Inter debut, completing the comeback from 2-0 down by scoring two and earning a penalty after Palermo missed a spot-kick.

The honeymoon period was over for Leonardo, who after a 100 per cent record at the helm lost 3-1 at Udinese and only scraped through to the Coppa Italia semi-final on penalties against Napoli midweek. They were boosted by new signings Giampaolo Pazzini and Houssine Kharja, but missed Dejan Stankovic, Ivan Cordoba and Cristian Chivu due to suspension. The injury list included Wesley Sneijder, Walter Samuel and MacDonald Mariga.

Palermo continued to miss Abel Hernandez, Mauricio Pinilla and Dorin Goian, but were fired up for what has often been a spectacular encounter.

It took less than five minutes for Palermo to take a shock lead at San Siro! Marco Cassetti skipped past an embarrassing Davide Santon and rolled across for Fabrizio Miccoli to fire under the bar from eight yards.

Palermo also had penalty appeals for a Thiago Motta handling offence. Salvatore Sirigu held a Lucio header and Thiago Motta blasted over the bar.

Coutinho was having a good game and caused numerous problems for the Rosanero defence, his mazy run closed down in the box by Ezequiel Munoz.

However, Palermo went 2-0 up after some more chaotic defending from the Treble winners. Cassani was able to pull back from the right flank for Antonio Nocerino, who rode a half-hearted Douglas Maicon tackle to smack in at the near post.

Inter fought back immediately with captain Javier Zanetti's strike deflected wide by Cesare Bovo. From the resulting corner, Bovo again closed down from Milito.

However, on the counter from that set play, Julio Cesar had to rush off his line for a decisive challenge on Bovo, then the follow-up was cleared from an open goal.

Samuel Eto'o did get the ball in the net after Sirigu beat away a Thiago Motta blockbuster, but was clearly offside. Coutinho nearly went clear from a Munoz backpass, but Sirigu was alert. Palermo continued to threaten and this time Santon was able to keep his cool, closing down Cassani in a one-on-one.

Javier Pastore almost made it 3-0 in first half stoppages on the counter, but his scorcher from a tight angle cracked against the outside of the near post!

Inter needed something special to turn this around and threw on new boys Pazzini and Kharja for the second half, just hours after their transfers were completed. Zanetti moved to left-back.

Sirigu got down well to palm an Eto'o free kick round the post, then Inter wanted a penalty for a handling offence on Andrea Ranocchia's header, but replays suggest it was ball-to-arm. Milito's strike was parried at the near post.

It was an amazing debut for Pazzini, who within 12 minutes had gathered with his back to goal, spun round under pressure from Munoz to slide an angled drive across Sirigu into the far bottom corner.

Ranocchia risked an own goal when chesting the ball just past the upright, then the resulting corner took a deflection off Zanetti to force Julio Cesar into a tricky save at the near post. The move continued and Josip Ilicic skimmed the bar.

Kasami had only been on the field for a couple of minutes when he ran on to a Pastore through ball and was tripped by Thiago Motta for a clear penalty. Pastore took the spot-kick duties, but it was saved by Julio Cesar and his follow-up header was weak! That was the first penalty awarded to Palermo this season.

Maicon ran on to a Pazzini back heel and his cross found Eto'o, but Sirigu did just enough to stop him tapping in from close range.

Inter were pouring forward and completed the comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2 with Pazzini's brace. He soared above the crowd and timed his jump perfectly, getting in front of the defence to nod a Maicon free kick in to the near top corner.

The turnaround was complete moments later and again Pazzini was involved! He sprung the offside trap and was hauled back by Munoz for a penalty, which Eto'o converted with a cool head.

An Eto'o snapshot flashed across the face of goal from distance, but Palermo were still in it and should've equalised at the 87th minute. Pastore crossed from the by-line for a wonderful Federico Balzaretti volley, but it took a deflection off Maicon's legs from point-blank range to rescue Julio Cesar!
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Santon (Kharja 46); Zanetti, Cambiasso (Obi 80), Thiago Motta; Coutinho (Pazzini 46); Milito, Eto'o

Palermo: Sirigu; Cassani, Munoz, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Bacinovic, Nocerino; Ilicic, Pastore; Miccoli (Kasami 61)

Ref: Rizzoli

Missed penalty: Pastore 64 (P)

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa1011/int-pal.html

[Lombardiamia]

It really goes to show what difference does it make to have valid alternatives on the bench. We've had 4-5 months in which the only alternatives to an injury plagued Milito were a below par Pandev & fuckin Biabiany. There was no way to turn a match around with those alternatives. Now we have options and it makes life so much easier. Even Kharja...his first 45 mins. were much more than what Muntari did in these past year and a half. One must say we were a little lucky too to have grabbed all 3 points, especially after that last Balzaretti shot...my heart almost stopped there...

[Totally FRANK]

We definitely had some luck to get all the 3 points. The ricochet of Balzaretti's shot was crazy, not to mention Cesar's penalty save and the one handed save from Miccoli's corner which took a deflection of Zanetti. Unlike matches earlier in the season though we at least tried and put up a fight like Mou's Inter.

According to latest rumors, we are looking for a LB. Nagatomo and Criscito are the two names doing the rounds. Hopefully we don't sell Santon for good, he needs to play regularly and sending him on loan would be perfect.

[Lombardiamia]

It seems like Nagatomo for 10M + Santon loan......WTF?!?!?

[Totally FRANK]

10m is a lot...I read it was 4/5m + loans of Mairga and Santon.

However, Nagatomo is a good left back according to what I have read.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1124/calcio ... e-regarded

[Totally FRANK]

Feyenoord Confirm Agreement With Inter About Summer Switch For Luc Castaignos
Feyenoord and Inter have agreed terms about the transfer of Luc Castaigos in the summer of 2011.
By Stefan Coerts

Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord have confirmed on their official website that they've reached an agreement with Champions League holders Inter about the transfer of young attacker Luc Castaignos at the end of the season.

The Nerazzurri have been after the 18-year-old striker ever since December 2010 and they've now finally reached an agreement with Feyenoord. No details have been disclosed about the transfer fee involved.

Inter have yet to agree personal terms with Castaignos, but no problems are expected at that front.

Castaignos is a product of the Feyenoord youth academy and has developed into an important first team member at the Kuip since making his debut last term. He has so far made 24 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord, scoring six goals in the process.

The Holland under-19 international had also attracted the interest of clubs such as Liverfekkin'wankscum, Arsenal and Totenham Hotspur, but recently expressed his desire to move to Italy.

[Lombardiamia]

Deadline over. Castaignos will arrive in june for 3M. Nagatomo arrived on loan. Santon also left on loan. So he bought Ranocchia for 12,5M, Pazzini 20M, Castaignos 3M, Kharja & Nagatomo on loan....not a bad transfer market at all. They're all young and are excellent prospects, apart from Kharja....but we all know he'll go back in june. I'm interested to see Nagatomo now...

[Totally FRANK]

Good left backs are a rare commodity these days so its good to have a proper LB finally. If he does well for us then we need a couple of players in midfield and probably Sanchez during the summer. Looks like Moratti had to convince Santon to leave on loan, good move by the President. Santon needs to play regularly to get back to the player we all know he can be.

Good market over all. If only we had done this last summer we would have been much higher up in the table.

[Messinterista]

Confirmation of the deal.
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Inter swap Santon for Nagatomo

Yuto Nagatomo has completed his loan move to Inter after Davide Santon agreed to join Cesena until the summer.

A left-back was a top priority for the Nerazzurri and they have this evening completed the capture of the Japanese international.

Genoa full-back Domenico Criscito was the club’s top priority, but Inter switched their attention to Nagatomo given Genoa’s demands.

The 25-year-old will join Inter on a temporary basis until the end of the season after impressing since his arrival from FC Tokyo in the summer.

As part of the deal, Santon will move to Cesena – also on loan – in a move which should see him play more regularly and with less pressure.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/jan31w.html
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Yup good transfer window all round there and I too am eager to see how Nagatomo fits into our team. He'd have a lot of confidence after Japans Asian Cup win and plus this loan move will be a great opportunity for him. I feel we will see wonderful things from him in the final half of this season.
Question about this loan deal. Does this involve an option to buy at the end of the season for both teams? I don't want to see us lose Santon especially if Maicon eventually leaves at the end of the season.
Also is Nagatomo eligible for the Champions league knockout stages?

[Messinterista]

Also been reading that with Van Der Sar announcing his retirement, Manure are interested in getting the current Dutch and Ajax keeper Stekelenburg as his replacement. No talk about Cesar. If we are to sell him it'd have to be at the end of this season as he ain't getting any younger. Problem is I don't see any big team (apart from Manure) needing a keeper. Tottenham perhaps is another possible destination depending on how Gomes goes towards the end of this season.

[Messinterista]

Slightly off topic lads, but Chelsea just spent a ridiculous amount for Torres (which has apparently gone through). I thought the Fair Play rules coming into effect soon was meant to limit the amount clubs can pay for players. Why have we been holding back? I know we don't have the purchasing power that Chelsea does, nor do we have the bling factor but still...

[Lombardiamia]

A lot of questions there...I'm looking forward to see Nagatomo since it's been some time (since R.Carlos) that we havent had such a speedy LB in our squad. The deal doesnt have the option to buy Santon since Cesena doesnt have the structure to guarantee Santon's expectations. We on the other hand have an option to buy Naga for 4M.
Sometimes we all come to fast conclusions. Last week I've said that it was good to sell JC in order to buy a younger keeper like Viviano. But the game against palermo sure refreshed my mind...Viviano is just not at JC's level and will never be IMO. I hope we keep him.
We were indeed holding back, but we did splash a good amount of cash this month. I believe our biggest problem was the fact that Moratti didnt trust Benitez and wanted to have a different coach to offer his cash to. But anyway the rules will apply to everyone....it's just that clubs like Chelsea have a much bigger income than we have so they can afford better..

[Totally FRANK]

We will get the second half of Andreolli next summer. Why did we sell half of Obi to Parma, was it a part of any previous deal?

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=35723&L=en

[Totally FRANK]

MI, compared to Chelsea we have a much bigger debt. Also, 4-5 big name players left Chelsea this season so their wage bill would have reduced considerably.

Anyway, I think we have made intelligent buys and we had no need to splash out like Chelsea did.

[RomaShield27]

[Lombardiamia]

This is nagatomo Shield. Cant say I've seen any match of his, especially since he was with his NT when we played Cesena. Also he's played all matches for Japan in the WC, but obviously they all have the same face so I couldnt notice anyone in particular...From this clip he seems to be quite a dynamo on the flank, can use both right & left foot without difficulties and has a pretty fine cross. 4M for the guy seems to be quite a deal. Cant say there are many better LB's around...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaE5n1KkjJA