Internazionale Main Thread III

[Messinterista]

Strama: 'Inter emergency in Belgrade'

Andrea Stramaccioni wants to keep Inter’s momentum going away to Partizan Belgrade, though the team is in “an emergency situation.”

The Nerazzurri are still buzzing from Saturday night, when they ended the 49-match unbeaten Juventus record in Serie A, but tomorrow return to Europa League action.

“That victory fired us up, but it is still early days and we have to continue working hard,” said Strama in his Press conference.

He also commented on his row with Juve director Beppe Marotta over the phrase ‘tactically carefree.’ “There was a misunderstanding between two intelligent people.”

The win helped to calm some of the controversy over refereeing errors, but the Italian media continued to ask Stramaccioni about these issues.

“Inter have faith in referees, although it is normal to comment on certain incidents in the heat of the moment. In any case, we have to remain concentrated on Partizan, who are improving a great deal and will do everything to cause us problems.

“I have faith in the squad, as they are capable of putting the right character and approach on to the field. This is the first time we can really talk about an emergency situation, so I have to change some things.”

Long-term absentees Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic, Cristian Chivu and Philippe Coutinho have been joined by Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel, leaving few options in defence and midfield.

It is likely Esteban Cambiasso will again be used as a centre-back, an experiment that was adopted several times in the Europa League this season.

Inter are practically qualified from Group H, as they are joint top with Rubin Kazan on seven points compared to Neftci and Partizan Belgrade on one.

The Nerazzurri grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory over Partizan at San Siro with Rodrigo Palacio in the final moments.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/27024/st ... y-belgrade

[Messinterista]

Inter conquer Belgrade to qualify

Inter have qualified for the Europa League knockouts after Rodrigo Palacio’s brace helped secure a 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade, their 10th consecutive away win.

Rubin Kazan also won 1-0 away to Neftci, so they both go through and are currently joint group leaders.

The Nerazzurri only scraped a last-minute 1-0 win over Partizan at San Siro and went into a passionate Belgrade atmosphere without the injured Andrea Ranocchia, Walter Samuel, Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic, Cristian Chivu and Philippe Coutinho.

Bad news for Inter straight away, as Gaby Mudingayi picked up a muscular problem and had to limp off to make way for Walter Gargano.

Fredy Guarin drilled wide from 20 metres, perhaps with a slight deflection off teammate Esteban Cambiasso to skim the upright. A Marko Livaja screamer was straight into the arms of the Partizan goalkeeper, as was Alvaro Pereira’s angled drive.

Partizan were also forced into a substitution for captain Sasa Ilic, but they very nearly took the lead. A free kick found an Ivanov free header, but Samir Handanovic got down brilliantly to palm right off the line to his left in a sensational save.

From the resulting corner, Ivanov was again allowed to nod towards goal, but once more Handanovic flew to flap it away, this time to his right and much higher.

Rodrigo Palacio replaced Yuto Nagatomo for the second half for a 4-1-4-1 system with Livaja wide, but Partizan wasted an unbelievable chance!

Aleksandar Milijkovic sprung the offside trap in midfield and surged into the box, but only rolled across instead of shooting and the Juan Jesus interception would’ve been an own goal had Handanovic not parried. The move continued and eventually Milos Jojic prodded wide of the back post.

They were made to pay for that, as Inter scored moments later. Guarin got to the by-line and pulled back for Palacio, who reacted quickly to chest the ball into the net from six yards. The Argentine had also scored against Partizan in the first leg.

Substitute Stefan Scepovic was on the field for one minute when he tested Handanovic, while Livaja did the same at the other end.

Handanovic was at full stretch to parry a precise Milan Smiljanic daisy-cutter off the line with his fingertips.

Inter put the result under lock and key with a classic counter-attack. The delicate Guarin through ball allowed Palacio to spring the offside trap in midfield and sprint forward, keeping his cool to place a precise angled drive past the on-rushing goalkeeper into the far bottom corner.

It was very nearly a Palacio hat-trick, but Petrovic performed a crucial save from point-blank range after Antonio Cassano skipped past a defender to roll across.

Cassano provided another fantastic assist moments later and this time Guarin made the most of it. Guarin’s dummy let the pass through to FantAntonio, who waited for the right moment to thread it between defenders and the Colombian side-footed it past the goalkeeper.

Partizan did get a consolation goal in the final minute, as Miljkovic kept the ball in play at the by-line and crossed for a fine Nemanja Tomic volley, getting in front of Jonathan.

Partizan 1-3 Inter

Scorers: Palacio 51, 75 (I), Guarin 88 (I), Tomic 90 (P)

Partizan Belgrade: Petrovic; Miljkovic, Ostojic, Ivanov, Lazevski; Medo (M Scepovic 55), Smiljanic; Tomic, S Ilic (Jojic 30), L Markovic; S Scepovic (Mitrovic 69)

Inter: Handanovic; Jonathan, Silvestre, Juan Jesus, Nagatomo (Palacio 46); Zanetti, Mudingayi (Gargano 13), Cambiasso, Guarin, Alvaro Pereira; Livaja (Cassano 77)

Ref: Duarte Gomes (POR)

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/27072/in ... de-qualify

[Lombardiamia]

Handanovic is a monster.

[Totally FRANK]

[Messinterista]

Preview: Atalanta - Inter
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia

There's always a danger of slipping up after a big win, and that's the situation Inter could find themselves in as they visit Atalanta.

If they do nothing else this season, Inter will at least be remembered for ending Juventus' long unbeaten run. Now they need to ensure the next game is not a case of after the Lord Mayor's show.

That is going to prove difficult for Andrea Stramaccioni, and not for reasons within his control. The news that Walter Samuel, with an adductor muscle problem, and Andrea Ranocchia, with a calf strain, will miss three weeks has hit the team hard.

Cristian Chivu is around 20 days away from a return after a foot operation, and with Matias Silvestre - rarely seen in Serie A since his displays at the start of the season - the only fit senior central defender other than Juan Jesus, it leaves Stramaccioni with a tactical conundrum.

Against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday, he used Silvestre and Juan in a four man defence, though it remains to be seen if he will keep it for domestic duty.

The aforementioned trio are part of a long list of absentees for the Nerazzurri. Joel Obi, Dejan Stankovic, Jonathan, Philippe Coutinho and Wesley Sneijder are all injured, though the latter is on the way back.

Atalanta have problems of their own - scoring goals. Though it is not something Coach Stefano Colantuono seems particularly concerned about.

“Last we finished with the fourth best defence, and the results this year are still primarily due to our defensive solidity,” he said when quizzed on his team's inability to penetrate defences so far.

Relying on the squad to produce similar defensive efficiency throughout this season is a risk, but one that Colantuono seems happy to run.

German Denis is particularly culpable, failing to reach last year's heights so far, yet Luca Cigarini thinks he will be 'decisive' this Sunday.

“Inter are in a great moment, but so are we,” said the midfielder. “If you ask me now, I would not take a draw, even though it would be a good result. We beat Napoli at home and I do not see why we cannot do the same with Inter.”

The Bergamo outfit lose Ivan Radovanovic, Daniele Capelli and Adriano Ferreira Pinto to injury.

Keep an eye on: Rodrigo Palacio (Inter) – Palacio struggled initially, but is now hitting his straps as he gets to grips with his role in this Inter system. The Argentine scored in midweek against Partizan to make it three consecutive games with his name on the scoresheet.

Form guide: Atalanta (L W D W W) Inter (W W W W W)

Last season: Atalanta 1-1 Inter

Stat fact: Atalanta have the highest goals to points ratio in the top five European leagues - averaging 1.7 points per goal scored.

Atalanta (probable): Consigli; Raimondi, Stendardo, Manfredini, Peluso; Schelotto, Carmona, Cigarini, Bonaventura; Moralez, Denis

Inter (probable): Handanovic; Silvestre, Cambiasso, Juan Jesus; Zanetti, Gargano, Guarin, Nagatomo; Palacio; Cassano, Milito

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/m ... view/22212

[Messinterista]

Man Utd swoop for Sneijder

There are reports Wesley Sneijder’s time at Inter is coming to an end in January with a €20m Manchester United offer ready to be accepted.

The Dutchman has been out of action since September 26 with a groin and upper thigh injury, but during this period his teammates have been on a spectacular winning streak.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni realises he’ll have to readjust his winning formula to accommodate Sneijder and this has fuelled rumours that he could be sold in January.

Sir tender Alex Ferguson has never disguised his interest in the 28-year-old and made bids in the past, but the former Real Madrid midfielder is no longer considered essential.

Eyebrows were also raised on Friday when Sneijder’s wife Yolanthe confirmed he had been banned from using Twitter by the club, even if the messages were complimentary to Inter.

It could well be because Stramaccioni continues to maintain Sneijder is recovering, whereas the player has stated he feels fit.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/27116/ma ... p-sneijder

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Don't know what the source for this is but even Manure won't be silly enough to spend 20m on Sneijder.

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

[Bagg10]

Male male?

[red]

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

[kros]

On one hand I'm not too worried about yesterday's defeat - the team did not play badly (Atalanta are one of the most in-form teams at the mo), and i haven't seen a dip in physical form. On the other, I am worried that the defence has 2 key players missing. Silvestre was not up to scratch yesterday. Very slow, lacked aggressiveness, lacked concentration. I am really hoping Ranocchia and Samuel recover soon ... even Chivu would be better at this point in time.

PS: The penalty was a hard decision in my opinion.

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[red]

Certainly didn't think it was a penalty.

Wasn't so sure about the Raimondi-Palacio incident. Was worth a yellow, but not sure it went far enough beyond normal penalty box jostling to merit a red, even if there being blood makes it look bad.

Couldn't see why the Atalanta player was sent off either. Looked a clear yellow card, as there didn't seem to be enough aggression shown to merit a red.

[Lombardiamia]

The Atalanta player was sent off as a compensation IMO for not seeing the Palacio incident (the referee was clearly saying to a bleeding Palacio 'I didn't see it..honestly').
Certainly, being the 92nd minute it wasn't much of a compensation...

[juventino_italiano]

[Lombardiamia]

[juventino_italiano]