Internazionale Main Thread III

[Totally FRANK]

If we get through the Quarter finals (which we should) then I think the English media will make life easy for us. They are already talking as if one of Man U or Chelsea have reached the final. Its like a forgone conclusion. Not to mention, we are at our best when we are the underdogs just like last year.

Milito is regaining fitness and if he can reach good form, he along with Sneijder and especially Eto'o in such great form we should beat Schalke. The problem is that we are the favorites and we should be properly motivated. Schalke have some good players in key areas like Raul upfront, Neuer in goal and the speedy Farfan out wide. As long as we don't underestimate them our attacking quartet should get the goals to compensate for what our shambolic defence is going to let in.

[Messinterista]

Leonardo: 'Lecce a decisive moment'

Leonardo and Inter are still buzzing after their Champions League exploits, but “know to concentrate on Lecce in this decisive moment.”
The Nerazzurri completed an historic comeback to qualify ahead of Bayern Munich midweek and aim to continue that form in Serie A.

“I believe that optimism breeds optimism and victories bring other victories. Inter are aware we’re going through a decisive moment of the campaign,” said the Coach.

“Lecce proved over the last few games that they are constantly improving. They’ll be without Javier Chevanton or David Di Michele, but that won’t stop them playing in an open and attacking fashion. We don’t expect an easy game.”

Inter were held to a draw by Brescia last weekend and only a late Julio Cesar penalty save prevented their defeat.

“I don’t think the euphoria of Munich will damage us, as it would’ve been strange not to allow ourselves a moment of joy at such a wonderful victory. At the same time, this team knows it has to concentrate on Lecce. Finding a balance between euphoria and concentration, that is the key.”

There is also the risk of looking ahead to the Champions League quarter-final against Schalke 04.

“No quarter-final at this level is going to be easy. Schalke have a lot of enthusiasm and have grown after investments, year on year. They’ve done very well in the Bundesliga and qualified for this stage, with players like Raul and Jefferson Farfan.”

Leonardo refuses to hold back his stars ahead of next week’s Milan derby, even though Samuel Eto’o, Giampaolo Pazzini, Lucio and Yuto Nagatomo are all on a yellow card.

“I don’t think it’s a crucial problem that we have to deal with. Andrea Ranocchia has been left out because he is not fit to play right now and has had far too many games for his current condition.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar19k.html

[Totally FRANK]

An under par performance from us today but Lecce defended deep with 10 men and did well for most of the game. In the first half we had a lot of possession but it was mostly with the defenders and midfielders so we did not provide any actual threat. Eto'o and Pandev had very few touches in the first 45.

Chivu had a good game in the center of the defence. With Lucio suspended next game against Milan for what was a stupid hand ball, it will be good to have Chivu in the center rather than Cordoba or Materazzi.

[Messinterista]

Moratti: 'Leo more than I dreamed of'

Inter President Massimo Moratti hails Leonardo. “He is taking us above and beyond what I dreamed of.”
The team was in crisis when Rafa Benitez walked away before Christmas, but the new Coach has taken them within two points of leaders Milan and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

“During the difficult period we went through, I thought Leonardo was the right man to bring a breath of fresh air to the club,” explained the patron.

“I knew how much he wanted to put himself back in the thick of things. I had faith in Leonardo, but perhaps I only dreamed of a comeback like this.

“Leo dreamed it and wanted it even more than me, so he is taking us above and beyond what I dreamed of.”

The Scudetto race is now wide open and the derby on April 2 could be decisive, as the top two go head-to-head.

“I fear Milan’s experience and their cool heads. They always know how to behave in these big games,” continued Moratti.

“It will be a fascinating derby, but not decisive, and I hear some people saying we are the favourites because of current form. I fear these predictions.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar20q.html

[red]

Any of you lot bought tickets online for Inter before?

Where dd you get them, where to pick them up, etc.?

I'm going to be in Milan for Inter-Schalke,so thought I'd head along to the game.

[Messinterista]

Can't say that I have, sorry.

[RomaShield27]

They're a hardcore bunch in here, Red. They don't order their tickets 'online', pffff, they don't use tickets at all but rather just stroll in the San Siro with the rest of the Ultra's fighting the police along the way.

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Just this link out Red. Just come across it myself, not sure how reliable it is:

http://www.worldticketshop.com/tickets/ ... ork=cleafs

[red]

[Messinterista]

AC Milan - Inter Milan
Serie A
Milan, IT IT
San Siro Saturday
02-04-2011
20:45
From £ 217,49 *
+ delivery costs

[RomaShield27]

For Lomba:


– Wednesday 23 March, 2011

[Messinterista]

Ranocchia could need surgery

Andrea Ranocchia has left the Italy camp due to a knee injury, but could miss the derby and the rest of the season if he requires surgery.
The Inter defender was forced to walk away from the Azzurri training ground ahead of games against Slovenia and Ukraine.

"The knee is quite inflamed and I hope I won't have to undergo another operation.

"I also hope to be available for the derby on April 2. The situation got worse after the first leg of the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich."

His knee injury has been deteriorating and the inflammation is becoming a serious problem, so he could well miss out on the Milan derby next Saturday.

There are even reports that Ranocchia could require surgery to correct the issue, which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar23t.html

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

I thought it was you who said somewhere that Santon hasn't been featuring much for Cesena, but it seems his loan spell there is doing him good.

[Messinterista]

Benitez hits out at Inter

Rafa Benitez has taken another potshot at Inter following the termination of his contract in December.

The Spanish tactician fell out with the club despite winning the Italian Super Cup and Club World Cup.

He famously made the ultimatum that the club sign four new players, but Inter refused.

“When I went to Italy, I knew that I would be a Coach and not a manager… but when you are a Coach you have to be in tune with your director of sport, and it's not just a question of models, but of people,” Benitez told AS.

“Without doubt the role of manager is better because in the end the Coaches pay for their own mistakes and those of the director of sport, while the manager only pays for his own mistakes.

“But I won't ask for this at my next club. I will ask for a project, for respect of my work, and to know what the objectives are. If things go well, they ask more of you. If things go badly they tell you that they have given you all the means to do well and that it's you who hasn't succeeded.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar24k.html

[zafferano]

[red]

Ta.

[Messinterista]

Thiago Motta: 'What a second cap!'

Thiago Motta “couldn’t have asked for more” than scoring the winning goal on his second Italy cap.
The Inter midfielder, born in Brazil and now an ‘Oriundo’ – South American playing for Italy – got the strike in Slovenia this evening.

“I couldn’t have asked for more than scoring on my second cap. I must above all thank the lads and Coach for giving me confidence and a warm welcome,” he said.

“We played good football, which is what the Coach asked for, taking control in midfield and playing Antonio Cassano between the lines where he can put in through balls.

“Cesare Prandelli asked all the midfielders to move around and not stay static, as that makes it more difficult for Slovenia to defend against. We did that better in the second half and found the space we needed.

“I think we have to carry on along our own path, as we have a very strong squad that can certainly do better, but so far is also doing pretty well.”

Thiago has some Italian family and already said he was interested in playing for the Azzurri when he was still at Genoa.

“Marcello Lippi did not call me and I don’t think that’s important right now. I am very happy to be a part of the Italy squad, have to focus on now and the future. The past is unimportant.

“All my friends, family and of course Leonardo sent nice text messages complimenting me on the goal. Leo always tries to watch his players in action.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/mar25y.html

[Totally FRANK]

Chivu injury doubt for derby
Cristian Chivu has picked up a thigh injury on international duty, so Inter’s defence is increasingly at risk for the derby.

The Nerazzurri are already without Walter Samuel and the suspended Lucio for the April 2 clash with Milan.

Andrea Ranocchia is unlikely to feature after leaving the Italy camp early and admitting he could require knee surgery.

Now news filters through from the Romania camp that Chivu has picked up a thigh injury on international duty.

Tests will be needed to ascertain the extent of the problem to his right thigh.

If Chivu is also ruled out, then the centre-backs against Milan could be Ivan Cordoba and veteran Marco Materazzi.