Internazionale Main Thread III

[Lombardiamia]

I dont think we need a clearout. We just need to add 1 or 2 starters and a couple of quality backups. Look at yesterday's match for example, Stankovic & Lucio were excellent. These players can still give excellent performances, but one shouldn't expect these sort of performances for 50 games a year. We need to have valid alternatives to rest such champions.
Where we really need starters is the midfield...

[Messinterista]

Leonardo 'ended negative results'

Leonardo recognises Inter’s Coppa win “was important to end our stream of negative results. I’m not worried about my future.”
The Nerazzurri are out of the Champions League and Scudetto race, so the Coppa Italia is Leo’s only chance of silverware this season.

“It was important to end our stream of negative results,” he said of their 1-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg win at Roma.

“It is never as easy as it seems. Many factors make you lose confidence during a complex time. The victory here at the Olimpico was by no means a done deal and the lads did very well.

“It was a game between two teams coming off defeats, so not a simple one to prepare for. We had to make our mark and did so early on, controlling the 90 minutes well.

“Dejan Stankovic scored an extraordinary goal and has fun playing like this. We played Goran Pandev in the middle and he did great work.”

This week there were reports Jose Mourinho is heading back to the Nerazzurri bench for next season.

“I am not worried, as I never thought about the future. I live for today and look towards our next game on Saturday,” continued Leonardo.

“I have a very open rapport with the club and they know what I think. We all just want the team to win.

“Now we have to try to find consistency in Serie A, as some recent defeats knocked our rhythm off kilter, but we can get it back in the final rounds.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr19y.html

[Messinterista]

Manuel Neuer just announced that he hasn't extended his contract with Schalke. I smell the work of SAF coming into play here. Guess we are keeping Cesar.

[Messinterista]

Manchester United manager Sir tender Alex Ferguson poised to lure Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford from Inter

Manchester United manager Sir tender Alex Ferguson is set to try and exploit turmoil at Italian giants Inter Milan by making an audacious bid to sign Wesley Sneijder.

Ferguson has set his sights on Sneijder as his principal summer target and is prepared to meet a £25 million ($A38 million) asking price to lure him from the San Siro.

According to English tabloid Daily Mail, Inter president Massimo Moratti is willing to sanction the Holland World Cup midfielder’s departure.

Sneijder, 26, accepted improved terms until 2015 but has since become frustrated under coach Leonardo.

After axing Maicon and Thiago Motta for not trying hard enough in training, and even relegating Sneijder to the bench, Leonardo was at the mercy of a critical Italian media after Inter crashed out 7-3 on aggregate against FC Schalke in the Champions League.

Sneijder, who spent two seasons at Real Madrid before joining Inter in 2009, is ready for a fresh start and would relish the challenge of replacing Paul Scholes as United’s new midfield general.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/pr ... 6043336632

[Messinterista]

Leo promises Inter reaction

Leonardo admits Inter are beginning to tire, but still feels they have enough in the tank to finish the season on a high.

Tuesday's 1-0 win against Roma in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final served to boost morale after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Parma in Serie A.

Speaking before Saturday's match against Lazio, Leonardo said: “The tiredness is normal, it's enough to see the results of all the other teams fighting for their respective objectives.

“This team knew how to mask its tiredness against Roma who are a team capable of the best out of itself.

“Lazio have beaten important teams, changing systems and players. Lazio are always Lazio. If they have all their best players available, they can line up a great team.”

Asked about Inter's interest in Ganso, Leonardo said: “A lot has been written about it, but we have never made a real attempt [to sign him].

“I have been in personal contact with him for some time. Right now the priority is this season and the realisation of our objectives.

“We'll think about the transfer market later.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr22r.html

[Messinterista]

Leonardo: 'I still believe in Scudetto'

Leonardo has not lost hope of the Scudetto after the remarkable comeback to beat Lazio. “It was an extraordinary win and anything can still happen.”
The Nerazzurri were in a head-to-head battle for third place and trailing 1-0 with 10 men, but earned a 2-1 victory to recapture second.

“It is a special and extraordinary win,” said the Coach. “Anything can still happen. I still believe in the Scudetto. Am I too optimistic?”

If Milan win at Brescia in the 18.00 UK time kick-off, they will go eight points clear at the top of the table with four rounds left.

“These players sent out a clear signal,” continued Leo. “They went down to 10 and a goal behind after 20 minutes, but were able to react and fight back.

“It was a very strange season compared to usual, as it was broken up too many times by the change of management and various injuries.

“What remained intact was the amazing spirit of this team and it never lost its heart. The foundations of Inter are there and will not move, so this is not the moment to think about the future.

“Don’t forget, anything can still happen. My rapport with Inter is very clear. I want to achieve my targets and am relaxed.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr23l.html

[maro]

I suspect he means there's always the chance some more phone-tapping stuff will turn up and Sphincter will be able to get the necessary points deductions to sneak their noses ahead once more.

[Totally FRANK]

That sounds like a plan. This time around we can send Milan to Serie B. Buy Ibra from them and then sell him to Barca again for cash + Messi. Start the cycle all over again.

Great display by the boys yesterday, superb spirit to score twice when down to 10. We must secure second spot now.

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

I blame Benitez.

[Totally FRANK]

[Messinterista]

[Messinterista]

End of Internazionale Main Thread I - Locked

[Messinterista]

End of Internazionale Main Thread II - Locked

[Messinterista]

'Montolivo will go to Inter'

Respected director of sport Pier Paolo Marino believes Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo will join Inter at the end of the season.

Montolivo has stalled on signing a new contract at the Artemio Franchi and Fiorentina have grown resigned to the fact that he is leaving.

“I believe that, like Pantaleo Corvino said, when a cycle ends it's right to look for fresh strengths,” Marino said.

“Already four or five months ago I underlined my opinion in this regard: Montolivo will go to Inter.

“The Nerazzurri need to rebuild their central midfield and need a player like the Fiorentina captain.”

Asked if Montolivo might decide to join Juventus instead, Marino replied: “I repeat. In my opinion Montolivo will go to Inter while Andrea Pirlo could end up at Juventus.

“Between Inter and Juventus, I believe that Montolivo would choose the former, also because of the rivalry between Juventus and Fiorentina.

“Montolivo is worthy of a great team. It's always difficult to resist overtures from big clubs when they want a player.

“Montolivo has everything - strength, class and youth - to be at a big club.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/apr25m.html

[Messinterista]

Napoli to bid for Chivu

Napoli will attempt to bolster their defence with a bid for Inter stopper Cristian Chivu, according to reports in Italy.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has already set about strengthening his team's backline.

He brought in Victor Ruiz from Espanyol in January and has already agreed a deal for Estudiantes centre-back Federico Fernandez in June.

Napoli feel Chivu would be ideal for their three-man defence given his ability to play in the middle and on the left-hand side.

Chivu's disciplinary problems have tested Inter's patience this season.

They are apparently prepared to sell the Romania international following the arrival of Andrea Ranocchia in January and will bring Davide Santon back from his loan at Cesena to cover the left-back position.

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr26j.html

[Messinterista]

Maicon and Milito sold for Sanchez?

Inter are said to be using Douglas Maicon, Diego Milito and Davide Santon in order to sign Udinese’s €30m-rated Alexis Sanchez.
The Nerazzurri have never disguised the fact they want the Chilean talent, who is also a target for the likes of Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City and Barcelona.

Newspaper Leggo suggests the money will be raised in several different ways to beat the opposition.

First of all, Inter are prepared to sell Maicon and Milito in the summer, as both have reached their 30s and disappointed so far this season.

Brazilian right-back Maicon has interest from Spain and England, although his price-tag has dropped to around €15m a year after Real Madrid’s offer was rejected.

Striker Milito has barely featured due to a series of injuries, but could be heading for a return to Genoa at around €10m.

There is also another incentive that Inter hope to use in order to gain favour with Udinese in the race for Sanchez.

Santon is currently on loan at Cesena and could be handed over to the Friulani as part-exchange for El Nino Maravilla.

Other options include Coutinho and MacDonald Mariga.

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr27p.html

[Messinterista]

Inter to complete Nagatomo deal

Inter will sign Yuto Nagatomo on a permanent basis from Cesena this summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 24-year-old Japan international has impressed Inter since his arrival on loan during the January transfer window.

He is expected to cost Inter close to €4m.

Inter are particularly excited by the commercial opportunities that come with signing a high profile player from the Far East.

Nagatomo is expected to play against Cesena this weekend.

“It will be more than a special game for me,” Nagatomo said.

“I want to show all my improvements and I don't want to lose.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/apr28c.html

[Totally FRANK]

Another week and another comeback. Its as if we start playing only when we concede a goal. We were very poor in the first half. We missed Sneijder badly as he is the one who knits the midfield and attack together.

Motta was awful. If we get a bid for him next year we should take it and sell him. He makes one good tackle or one good pass out of 10. We were much better in retaining possession after Mariga came on. He doesn't have the passing ability that Motta has but he at least works hard and makes the simple passes well. Motta just looked lazy and laborious with the ball at his feet.

[Lombardiamia]

I told you. This team needs motivation to play decently. All these comebacks do prove a point.

P.S. Seems like Pep will be our new manager, or so I've heard. Can't be worse than Leonardo no?