Internazionale Main Thread III

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[Bagg10]

I really think, at the very least, we should implement the challenge rule, like they have in the NFL. You get two challenges a game, where you can dispute a card or goal, or penalty. This would bea huge step in the right direction. Goal line technology is also a must, I can't understand why we haven't at least introduced that to the game.

[Bagg10]

Btw, I think you guys are going to have a tough relegation battle, but will most likely avoid the drop.

[Messinterista]

Are we top 3 material? Will we miss out on the champions league next season? Thoughts..

[Totally FRANK]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editor ... a-crisetig

[RomaShield27]

[Bagg10]

Milan isn't weaker. They're actually favorites to win the scudetto. Theyve just had a shitty schedule and some injury problems. Now that robinho is back, with pato mexes and taiwo to follow, and most of the hard games (at least for the first half of the season) out of the way, I'm betting they go on a run, and maybe even go top of serie a in a few weeks. They're only 4 points back atm.

[Messinterista]

Considering we need to finish in the top 3 I think we will find it hard to finish above Milan, Napoli Juve.
In Champions league related discussions, we are on top of our group after a bad start to the campaign, in saying this, we have not been entirely convincing.

[kros]

Finally a good game ... well at least at moments. At last I've seen the J. Cesar we all know concentrated, reactive, decisive. Sneijder and Motta alsoare welcome returns.

I'm following the talk regarding a top 3 finish. Its gonna be very hard ... but the level is so low this year that I do not exclude anything. Napoli are not that strong and imo depend on Cavani. Juve are waaayyyy overrated and they lack a good bench imp. Milan are probably the most experienced but my opinion has always been that last year's Champions was surely the weakest team to win the Championship since I've been following Serie A (that is 22 years approx). I'm not saying we will finish in the top 3, but I wouldn't bet a significant amount of money on the opposite either.

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

Chivu waiting for Inter offer

Cristian Chivu will start looking for a potential new club in January should Inter opt against renewing his agreement.

The Romanian is out of contract in the summer of 2012 and he has been linked with a Christmas switch, thus allowing the Nerazzurri not to lose him on a Bosman in June.

“We haven’t spoken to anyone yet,” agent Victor Becali told calciomercato.it. “We’ll wait for Inter until December and then, if necessary, we’ll start looking around.

“Up until now, Inter haven’t tabled any kind of contract extension offer to the player.

“The only thing that is presently certain is that Chivu will not be moving during the season. He’ll stay with Inter until June.”

The former Ajax man, who has been mainly used as a left-back rather than in his preferred centre-back role at San Siro, has been paired with a move to Napoli.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/oct21p.html

[kros]

[Messinterista]

Ranieri: 'We broke San Siro taboo'

Claudio Ranieri is glad Inter “ended the San Siro taboo” with their first home win – and indeed goal – of the campaign.

The Nerazzurri were the only team yet to score a single goal on their own turf this season, but Thiago Motta earned a 1-0 result against Chievo.

“We can be sharper, but the important thing was that we ended the San Siro taboo,” said the Coach.

“It was crucial we beat a Chievo side that put many of the top teams under pressure, as they play well and work hard.

“I am happy, as we worked hard too, despite the fact we played in the Champions League on Tuesday, and looked for the second goal.

“When you’re facing Chievo you either score early on or it becomes an uphill struggle, because they close up well and go on the counter-attack.”

The result ended a run of two consecutive Serie A defeats for Ranieri’s men, who have improved since bringing back Wesley Sneijder from injury.

“We are trying to get better with every game, both tactically and physically, even if it’s not easy when playing every three days,” continued Ranieri.

“Now we have to focus on Atalanta, because they are in good shape. I think Sneijder is a reference point for the squad from midfield up, so it’s logical to trust him with the reins, as he has vision other players do not possess.”

Ranieri said this week that Inter could still look at the Scudetto despite their dismal start.

“This squad remains the world champions up to December, so we have to believe in the Scudetto, even if we’re running late.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/oct23o.html

[Messinterista]

Inter remember Simoncelli

Inter captain Javier Zanetti and boss Claudio Ranieri have both commented on the tragic death of Moto GP star Marco Simoncelli.

The Italian, just 24, was killed on the second lap of the Malaysian race on Sunday when he fell off his bike before being hit by two other riders.

"It's a true tragedy,” Argentine veteran Zanetti noted. “There are no other words to describe what happened.

“Marco was a champion and he'll continue to be one up above.

“Right now my thoughts go out to his family and friends. With all my heart, I share in your pain.”

Ranieri, a guest on La Domenica Sportiva, noted: "I had met him 15 or 16 months ago at a charity match. He was sitting next to me, talking continuously, and he had an incredible charm.

“Today I was horrified. He always had a smile on his face, always ready with a quip, as the people are from Romagna.

“This was a truly significant tragedy."

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/oct24b.html
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I'm not sure if anyone else on this forum watches MotoGP but Marco was my favourite upcoming Motorcyle rider and was definently going to be the next Valentino Rossi. Such a sad time, not only in MotoGP but in World Sport. Rest in Peace Marco.

[Messinterista]

Atalanta 1 - 1 Inter
Sneijder 32 (I), Denis 44 (A)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

Inter scraped a point in Bergamo, as Luca Castellazzi had to save Atalanta's last-gasp penalty.

This was a local derby, as Bergamo is the neighbouring town to Milan, so there is always extra spice to the encounter. Atalanta would be in second place without a six-point penalty and were still ahead of their more prestigious rivals going into this game. Inter ended their run of two straight defeats by squeezing past Chievo 1-0 on Sunday, but missed Diego Forlan, Walter Samuel, Andrea Poli, Philippe Coutinho, Andrea Ranocchia and Emiliano Viviano. The Orobici were without Matteo Brighi, Tomas Manfredini and Ferreira Pinto.

Inter had just one point from their last two trips to Bergamo, not winning since a 2-0 result in April 2008.

Atalanta got off to a strong start, as the Peluso diving header from a Maxi Moralez corner was well held. Dejan Stankovic and Mauro Zarate wasted good chances with wayward solo efforts.

On the half-hour mark, Cristian Chivu needed a crucial header to stop the Peluso cross reaching German Denis at the back post.

Inter took the lead with Wesley Sneijder, though a lot of the credit goes to Zarate. The Argentine ran rings around the Atalanta defence down the right and pulled back for Sneijder, whose daisy-cutter took a massive deflection off Luca Cigarini to leave Andrea Consigli stranded.

Zarate was in fine form during the first half and whipped in numerous crosses that his Inter teammates were largely unable to make the most of.

Atalanta drew level on the stroke of half-time. Moralez chipped up a ball into the box where Denis soared above Cristian Chivu for the header from the penalty spot, leaving Julio Cesar rooted to the spot.

Luca Castellazzi came on for Julio Cesar at half-time, as the goalkeeper picked up a muscular problem. The substitute had to palm a dangerous Simone Bonaventura cross-shot out from under the bar.

Schelotto anticipated Yuto Nagatomo to get on the end of a Bonaventura cross at the back post, but was penalised for a handling offence. Moralez skipped past Lucio only for nobody to be ready for his ball across the six-yard box.

Giampaolo Pazzini replaced Sneijder, but failed to take advantage of a Stefano Lucchini error, while Stankovic smashed his effort over the bar.

Consigli got down well to fingertip Diego Milito's angled drive off the line, the loose ball cleared by Masiello. Milito had another sensational scoring opportunity as he came flying in to meet Douglas Maicon's volleyed cross, but incredibly chested it over the bar from a yard! To make matters worse, he clattered into the pole at the back of the net and needed treatment.

Atalanta had the opportunity to win it in the final minute when Chivu brought down Marilungo on the counter-attack. However, Denis aimed the poor penalty low and straight down the middle, allowing Castellazzi to parry with his legs.

Padoin aimed from distance and it bounced just in front of Castellazzi, but the Inter goalkeeper was ready.
Atalanta: Consigli; Masiello, Capelli, Lucchini, Peluso; Schelotto, Cigarini (Carmona 75), Padoin, Bonaventura; Moralez (Marilungo 82); Denis (Gabbiadini 93)

Inter: Julio Cesar (Castellazzi 46); Maicon, Lucio, Chivu, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Sneijder (Pazzini 62); Milito, Zarate (Obi 67)

Ref: Valeri

Missed penalty: Denis 89 (A)

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/sa1112/ata-int.html

[Lombardiamia]

I'll be honest, I aint unhappy about yesterday's game. Atalanta are definately an inform team and this is traditionally a very hostile stadium for us. I was particularly happy to see most of the players run for almost 90 mins..and IMO we had a very big chunk of control even in the second half, were we usually lack. The game could have gone either way..media highlights the missed penalty for Atalanta but I cannot forget the sitter missed by Milito with an open goal infront of him. That was much more difficult to miss than a penalty. All in all, I say it's a gained point rather than 2 lost. Now it's Juventus. If we somehow manage to win against Juventus I would highlight the fact that we'd have gained 7 pts out of 9 from 3 rather difficult encounters (Chievo (H), Atalanta (A) & Juve (H)).
Let's at least hope Julio Cesar doesnt have anything serious..
MOM for me was once again Zarate...worst MOM definately Chivu..he was disastrous yesterday, even though he's playing where he said he belongs, central defence...

[kros]

Positive point from yesterday is that finally the physical situation of the team seems to start improving. Negative is that we dropped 2 very important points on a very difficult pitch. Individually I think that Zarate was great yesterday.IMO he is our best attacker at the moment. He doesn't score too many goals (even since he plays on the flanks) but he is the only one that can create something at any time, especially since Wes is still not at 100% fitness. The lack is very clearly in our aging mf ... on one side we have Maicon that somehow always manages to put 8-10 crosses into the box per game ... on the other we have Zarate / Nagatomo who also are speedy players but we only have one striker in the box. This is simply due to the fact that the mf is too slow to follow the flow of play and be present with 1 player in the box and with another at the edge ready for any lose balls.

Anyway ... I'm not too confident for Sat.