Internazionale Main Thread III

[Messinterista]

We still have to play AC but our last match of the season is the all important one.

[RomaShield27]

Stramaccioni confident for Inter
April 26, 2012 /

Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni has hit back at criticism of his side and says they can qualify for the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-1 win over Udinese.

Stramaccioni, 36, was called in to help after Claudio Ranieri was axed after a horror run, and has helped them pick up 11 points in their last five games. Indeed, the Nerazzurri now find themselves just three points behind third-placed Lazio and could be back in the lucrative Champions League with a good end of the season.

"Winning at Udinese is never easy," he told Sky Sport Italia. "They were in a good moment, but we had a great display.

"We have collected 11 points in the last five matches, so we are there in the Champions League race. But we have to think about our next match against Cesena [on Sunday]."

The former Inter youth team coach has been boosted by players who have struggled for form under Ranieri, and he believes the players deserve credit for Inter's recent resurgence.

"Our players have been working really hard, what they showed today [Wednesday] was a great response," he added. "I would like to tell those who have criticised Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic and Esteban Cambiasso through the media - they should count to 100 first."

[Messinterista]

Moratti’s hint for Stramaccioni

Massimo Moratti has suggested that Andrea Stramaccioni’s hopes of staying on at Inter next season hinge on qualifying for the Champions League.

The Nerazzurri are now an outside bet to secure the final qualification post in the table, after an unbeaten start under their young former Primavera tactician.

A win away to Udinese in the midweek round of fixtures saw the team move to within three points of Lazio, who currently hold third, and it is something that Moratti has now suggested is a target that could guarantee Stramaccioni’s place on the bench next year, if he reaches it.

“That's one way to look at it - it's always good to set objectives because it's a motivation to constantly do better,” he hinted to journalists in Milan today.

“The maths for reaching third also depend on the results, so we'll see. Yesterday's test [at Udinese] was a good one, certainly very good on the part of the Coach above all, and on the part of the players who expressed themselves exactly how the Coach wanted.

“Then with their qualities they knew how to give something more.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18137/mo ... ramaccioni

[Messinterista]

Chivu offered Inter extension

Cristian Chivu is considering his future after Inter are believed to have offered him a new two-year agreement.

The defender is out of contract in June which would give him the possibility to leave San Siro on a Bosman transfer at the end of the season.

However, the player and his agent met Nerazzurri officials on Thursday where the club tabled their proposal.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the Beneamata have offered the 31-year-old a two-year contract, with the option for a third, worth €2m a campaign.

The former Roma and Ajax man, signed in 2007, will now have about 10 days to consider his options ahead of a new meeting with the club.

The left-back, who prefers to be used as a centre-back, has been linked with outfits such as Napoli and Manchester City.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18146/ch ... -extension

[Messinterista]

Inter make Lavezzi offer

There are reports that Inter have made a formal offer to take Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli for €15m, Goran Pandev and other players.

‘Pocho’ has long been linked with a move to San Siro and his contract includes a buy-out clause worth a reported €32m.

According to Sky Sport Italia and the Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzurri have formulated a new proposal.

This would include a cash sum of €15m, full ownership of Pandev – who spent this season on loan at the San Paolo – and a choice from Andrea Ranocchia, Joel Obi and Marco Davide Faraoni.

However, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is only willing to part with Lavezzi for cash.

Other clubs could well be prepared to activate that buy-out clause, such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Anzhi.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18189/in ... ezzi-offer

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No way will he come here.

[Messinterista]

Strama: 'Moratti gives me strength'

Andrea Stramaccioni looks to Giampaolo Pazzini against Cesena and admits Inter President Massimo Moratti’s praise “gives me strength.”

The tactician was promoted from the Primavera youth team and remains unbeaten, prompting Moratti to say this week he could well keep the job next season.

“Moratti’s words give me strength and fire me up even more than I already am,” said Stramaccioni in his press conference.

“We are all united and the win over Udinese proves that. We want to finish the campaign on a high, to an Inter standard, even without making promises or setting targets. Naturally we’re keeping an eye on the other results, but I focus mainly on Inter doing well.”

They are right back in the hunt for a Champions League spot, closing the gap to just three points from third-placed Lazio. On Sunday they welcome already-relegated Cesena to San Siro.

“Cesena are in a bad moment right now because of their relegation, but if we analyse their recent performances then they only lost to Juventus by a late goal. We have earned ourselves a place in an important match and now need a great performance.”

Stramaccioni surprisingly pointed to a change of line-up for tomorrow’s game.

“Pazzini is in great shape and is one of us. In fact, he trained fantastically well and tomorrow will be his game. His characteristics are different to Diego Milito and the only thing that changes is the interpretation in the final third.

“I am pleased to hear the players have faith in me, especially as they have worked with great Coaches. The first day of training I was afraid that I wasn’t up to the task, but now I thank everyone who put this confidence in me.

“The dream was being picked in the first place. Now I truly feel that I am the Inter Coach. My future is Inter-Cesena. There are so many things to be decided in the summer, such as players whose contracts are up, offers coming in, and my situation is among those choices.”

Walter Samuel, Javier Zanetti and Cristian Chivu are injured, while Dejan Stankovic sits out a ban.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18196/st ... e-strength

[Messinterista]

Dark horses Inter ride away?

The Champions League chase has certainly been entertaining and Dave Taylor feels the race is far from over, especially with the appearance of a dark horse.

It will be a crucial couple of days for those teams hoping to cement a Champions League place next season with Lazio, Udinese, Napoli, Inter and Roma all battling each other for the chance to grab that beguiling and precious third place.

And precious is very much the operative word here with around €25m on offer for those teams that qualify, while as much as €50m can be earned by the eventual winners.

Apart from the finance, another reason why the Champions League and particularly the chase for it fascinates fans so much is the regular reversal of expectation it presents.

Just last week we saw both favourites go down in the semi-finals, while in Serie A this ability to enchant has been seen several times recently with members of the chasing pack losing to so-called lesser lights. Nowhere was it better witnessed than on Wednesday, as no-one quite expected Roma to fall to Fiorentina or Lazio to lose in Novara.

Meanwhile in the other games involving the contenders, the favourites won, with Napoli moving to one point behind Lazio and Inter's 3-1 defeat of Udinese moving them up to sixth, leaving only five points separating Lazio in third from Roma in seventh.

This weekend, battle commences once again with two vital clashes, almost Champions League play-offs, as third placed Lazio travel to fifth placed Udinese and seventh placed Roma host fourth placed Napoli.

The last time the four teams met in December, Napoli lost at the San Paolo 3-1, while the Gazzetta dello Sport described the two teams in the Lazio - Udinese 2-2 draw as "worthy maids of honour to Juventus and Milan.” But since then the bride and groom have left them standing at the altar so to speak and after Udinese's record of just three home wins and Lazio's two away, the not so happy couple have metaphorically bypassed the bouquet and forgotten to book the banquet.

It has been pretty much the same with Napoli and Roma, who have been equally as inconsistent and thanks to their shared inability to pull away, all four remain in the hunt for that ephemeral third spot.

However, over the last month there has been one team bang in form, one-time total outsiders Inter. Under former Primavera Coach Andrea Stramaccioni they have not lost since Claudio Ranieri's exit and following five games unbeaten they have closed the gap between them and third place from 10 points to three.

The Nerazzurri play the already relegated Cesena on Sunday. Certainly their close rivals face much tougher tasks this weekend and the Beneamata appear to have a new desire, inner strength, belief and, obviously some good fortune.

So very soon the dark horse that is Inter could be third and find themselves riding into the sunset with the bride and groom, Juve and Milan, on a triple European honeymoon next season.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18190/da ... -ride-away

[Messinterista]

Inter 2 - 1 Cesena
Ceccarelli 57 (C), Obi 59 (I), Zarate 72 (I)
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Inter had to fight back from a shock opener to scrape a 2-1 victory over already-relegated Cesena.

The Nerazzurri were still unbeaten under Andrea Stramaccioni and surprisingly right back in the race for a Champions League spot. They were the overriding favourites against already-relegated Cesena, especially as Vangelis Moras, Giuseppe Colucci and Vincenzo Rennella were all suspended with Martinho, Raphael Martinez and Daniel Pudil injured. However, Adrian Mutu and Vincenzo Iaquinta returned to the starting XI.

Inter also had to make changes, as Javier Zanetti, Cristian Chivu, Walter Samuel, Luc Castaignos and the suspended Dejan Stankovic missed out. Giampaolo Pazzini was given a rare start with Wesley Sneijder in support, as Diego Milito and Mauro Zarate were rested. Julio Cesar picked up a last-minute elbow injury, making way for Luca Castellazzi.

Yuto Nagatomo went on a fine run down the left flank and his cross-shot was beaten away at the near post by Francesco Antonioli. Ricky Alvarez skimmed the upright with a daisy-cutter, but Pazzini was off form and it showed, as he side-footed straight at the goalkeeper from point-blank range when a lucky ricochet sent him completely clear on goal.

Douglas Maicon hit the side-netting and Sneijder’s free kick skimmed the bar, while Iaquinta had a couple of efforts from long-range.

Antonioli got down well on 37 minutes to turn a Sneijder daisy-cutter round the base of the near stick. Sneijder chipped up a pass for Pazzini’s glancing header, but Antonioli performed a crucial save to palm it out from under the bar from point-blank range.

43-year-old Antonioli bravely got in the way of a Lucio screamer from a corner, but it was straight at his nose from six yards and the goalkeeper was felled.

At the dawn of the second half Iaquinta scared Castellazzi with a strike that sailed just over the crossbar, while a Pazzini angled drive at the end of a long passing move was blocked by Antonioli.

Less than 30 seconds later, Cesena really should’ve taken the lead at San Siro! Iaquinta squirmed between two defenders and fired on to the crossbar with Castellazzi well beaten from 10 yards.

It was a warning, as relegated Cesena did go in front soon after. Rodriguez hit a cross field pass for Luca Ceccarelli, whose strange cross-shot from the outside edge of the box flew past Castellazzi into the far top corner!

The celebrations lasted only 90 seconds, as Joel Obi’s horribly wayward shot took a massive deflection off Steve Von Bergen to leave his own goalkeeper helpless.

Fredy Guarin blasted over, but substitute Mauro Zarate gave Inter the lead for the first time. Milito sprung the offside trap from a long Sneijder pass, his shot was charged down and the ball was put back in by Guarin for Zarate’s cushioned header from six yards.

In stoppages Andrea Poli’s counter-attack was deflected wide, as Inter sat back and tried to defend their lead.

Inter: Castellazzi; Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Nagatomo; Guarin, Cambiasso; Obi; Alvarez (Zarate 67), Sneijder (Poli 80); Pazzini (Milito 60)
Cesena: Antonioli; Ceccarelli (Djokovic 85), Benalouane, Von Bergen, Rodriguez, Comotto (Martinho 65); Santana, Guana, Parolo; Mutu (Lolli 75), Iaquinta
Ref: Romeo

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/9908

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YES! YES! YES! We even won with Castellazzi in goals...

[Messinterista]

Strama: 'My 12 agents in talks...'

Andrea Stramaccioni joked his “12 agents have to negotiate my salary” if he is to be confirmed on the Inter bench next season.

President Massimo Moratti confirmed he is pushing to keep the former youth team Coach, who remains unbeaten after seeing off Cesena 2-1 today.

“Will I stay? It depends, my 12 agents have to negotiate my salary,” smiled the 36-year-old.

“It was the most difficult game today, because we could catch third place and in the past this sort of situation prompted the team to slip up,” said Stramaccioni.

“It is therefore a very important victory for us. We saw the best Inter today, as we created so many chances despite the fact we initially went behind.

“We kept the ball well and were consistent. The lads also showed character to turn the result around and win a tough match. Although Cesena were already relegated, they played at 100 per cent and really honoured Serie A.

“Of course we can do better, as we concede goals too easily, but we are working on this.”

Mauro Zarate came off the bench and scored, so Stramaccioni was asked whether he’ll want to keep the Lazio-owned striker.

“I don’t think it is opportune to talk about these issues here. We are focused only on the next game.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18244/st ... ents-talks

[Lombardiamia]

My consideration of Stramaccioni is in constant rise..

[Messinterista]

[zafferano]

Strama is a coach with balls,never take him long to look
at the players that dont pruduce and send them to the bin
only have to look what he done to forlan .
could be the coach of the future ,moratti must
give him a chance.

[Messinterista]

[zafferano]

fuck villas boas , i dont think moratti go for him

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

Inter boss makes no promises

Inter tactician Andrea Stramaccioni has admitted that his side are not favourites in the race to finish third.

The Nerazzurri are currently level on points with Napoli, Udinese and Lazio for the last Champions League spot with three games of the season remaining.

“We haven’t promised that we will finish third,” he stated on Tuesday.

“We have the most difficult set of fixtures, but we will give our all. We are all united towards that objective.”

Inter face Parma on Wednesday before ties against Milan and then Lazio.

“Parma are, after Juventus, the most in-form side in the Division. It will be a tough away game, with a packed stadium. We’ll be counting on our fans to fill up the away end.”

Stramaccioni replaced Claudio Ranieri following the 2-0 defeat at Juventus. Since then, Inter have collected four wins and two draws.

“The results have improved the environment,” he added. “The side has grown.

“I don’t know if I have satisfied the requests of the President. You will have to ask him. All that I know is that I have given all that I have.”

Stramaccioni was a virtual unknown before he was promoted from his Primavera Coach post. He’s since been getting rave reviews – increasing his chances of confirmation in the summer.

“I’m proud to be Serie A’s youngest Coach, but what counts is the way you work,” added the 36-year-old. “My only thought is to give everything at my disposal to the team.

“What matters to me is that Inter have grown a lot. The games against Udinese and Cesena were our best performances. We always try to dictate a game.

“I’d be a liar if I said that the compliments didn’t please me, especially if they come from people who have been in the game for a long time. But I don’t know if I have taken any forward steps.”

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/18307/in ... o-promises

[Totally FRANK]

So, any changes in opinion of Strama now?

[Messinterista]

Nope

[Totally FRANK]

Strama says Moratti has already decided his future and that he is not returning to the youth setup. What do you guys think Moratti is going to do? I think now that we are not going to qualify for CL, we should stick with Strama and tell him to rebuild the team.

[Messinterista]