Internazionale Main Thread

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Honours even but Jose Mourinho has to box clever
February 25, 2009 – http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 799490.ece

It is a measure of Manchester United’s stature, and progress, when a goalless draw in the San Siro can be regarded with some regret. The previous trip here was less than two years ago, but it might as well have come from another age. In May 2007, United came to face AC Milan and were not only beaten 3-0 but trounced, embarrassed. It was a defeat that featured Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo, who formed three quarters of last night’s midfield, but they might as well have been different players.

Last night, these same footballers stepped out into one of Europe’s grandest stages as though they were not only part of the show but the star attraction. That they failed to record United’s first victory in the San Siro may have been a cause of frustration on a night ripe with opportunity, but, as Sir tender Alex Ferguson was quick to point out, there was a time when a 0-0 draw in this cathedral of sport was beyond expectations.

“We came here two years ago and I think you see the development, our maturity,â€

[RomaShield27]

United's rearguard given a free ride by lacklustre Inter
http://www.guardian.co.uk

In the end, they passed their test with distinction. Sir tender Alex Ferguson could have been forgiven if he had had misgivings about the fitness of Jonny Evans and John O'Shea, but the players of Internazionale were simply not good enough and not quick enough with their passing or their movement to take advantage. That was the lesson of the evening: that this Inter side, when you take away all the posturing of Jose Mourinho, are not actually that impressive. A better side would surely have done more to single out Evans on a night when the young centre-half had to play the biggest match of his life with a badly swollen ankle. Or they would have cottoned on much earlier to the fact that O'Shea, also playing after a late fitness test, might be vulnerable if Zlatan Ibrahimovic went directly against him.

What could not have been expected was that United, facing such esteemed opponents and with Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville and Wes Brown all unavailable, would look as comfortable as at any stage of that recent record-breaking run when they managed to go 1,334 minutes without conceding a league goal. Evans had not even been able to take part in full training the night before. O'Shea's heel was not quite so tender but he, too, had required intensive treatment. Whether Ferguson had exaggerated their conditions in a game of bluff with Mourinho, we may never know. But those of us who were at Old Trafford for United's game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday to see Evans hobble off with damaged ankle ligaments could only admire the fact he had managed to make it on to the pitch. It was a night when he and O'Shea had to grit their teeth, block out the pain and, in Ferguson's words, get on with it.

The alternative, after all, was almost unthinkable. Fabio da Silva may be an astonishingly exciting prospect but, for now, that is all he is – a prospect. The Brazilian, a left-back by trade, was the only defender on United's bench and the only possible alternative, other than Darren Fletcher, to take O'Shea's position on the right side of defence. Ferguson loves his young players to show off their potential, but San Siro, this whistling, fire-cracking, seething bearpit, is really no place for an 18-year-old with only 53 minutes of first-team experience behind him. The strange thing was that United had this experimental new defence and their opponents took so long to work out that it could be to their advantage.

The best team in Italy, playing in front of their raucous fans in Europe's biggest competition, lurched between mediocre and abysmal throughout the first half, and could scarcely have made it a less demanding occasion for those United players nursing injuries. The high-tempo opening that had been anticipated never materialised, and, in the moments when Inter were struggling to get out of their own half, United's defenders had little more to worry about than keeping their position and maintaining their concentration for when the ball did finally come towards them.

The only time they were troubled during this period was in the 24th minute, when Rio Ferdinand did not get enough distance on a clearing header, allowing Ibrahimovic his first sight at goal. But there was not one occasion, for example, when Sulley Muntari, playing on the left of Inter's midfield, tried to knock the ball past O'Shea and test the defender's ability to turn sharply. It is no exaggeration to say Inter managed more in the first three minutes of the second half than they had throughout the entire first half. It was only now that they started to show why they are on course for a fourth successive Serie A title and Ibrahimovic, with some quick footwork, got past O'Shea for the first time.

Shortly afterwards O'Shea was grateful to see the assistant referee raise a flag for a marginal offside after he had allowed Ibrahimovic to stray behind him. The Swede had increasingly started to drift over to the left and, for a brief spell, this looked like being Inter's most likely route to creating their first noteworthy effort on goal. Yet the moment passed. Edwin van der Sar remained largely untroubled and, on this evidence, it is difficult to imagine Inter getting the away goal, or goals, they will need at Old Trafford.

[oily]

after watching last nights game... i firmly believe that inter need a player like drogba.. powerful, fast, and confident.

[Totally FRANK]

[zafferano]

[zafferano]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

[zafferano]

[Messinterista]

[Messinterista]

Fred ends time with Lyon

Les Gones confirmed in a statement late Thursday night the striker, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, should now join a club back in his native Brazil.

"Lyon inform that Fred has taken the decision to terminate his contract while he was staying in Brazil during his suspension," the statement read.

"The termination of his contract with Lyon takes effect this evening (Thursday) and is going to allow him to join a Brazilian club."

It brings to an end a long-running episode which began a year and a half ago.

Fred, 25, lost his place in Lyon's starting XI at the beginning of last season after breaking his foot on Brazil duty during the Copa America.

On his return to action, he could not oust fellow frontman Karim Benzema from the first team and came close to leaving Les Gones in the transfer window in January 2008.

He decided to stay but was in and out of the Lyon side in 2008.

Family problems and fears for his international ambitions saw him again agitate for a move at the back-end of that year but he could not clinch a transfer away in last month's January window, despite strong interest from Brazilian clubs Palmeiras and Fluminense.

He is expected to sign for Fluminense over the next few days.

Fred, who was suspended by Lyon on February 20, spent just over three-and-a-half years at the Stade Gerland, winning three Ligue 1 titles and one Coupe de France.

Source: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/france/f ... on-174286/

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If interest was shown, could've been a handy backup. Apart from Benzema, he was their next best thing.

[Messinterista]

Mancio close to Inter agreement - Friday 27 February, 2009

There are reports that Roberto Mancini has finally agreed the rescission of his contract with Inter.

Mancio was sacked by Inter chief Massimo Moratti in spite of delivering the Scudetto last term.

Despite being replaced by Jose Mourinho, Mancini is still under contract with the Nerazzurri until 2012 as he has refused offers to terminate his deal.

Mancini was present at last weekend's game between Inter and Bologna and reportedly met with Moratti after the final whistle.

According to Italian Press reports, the two parties are close to agreeing a settlement fee and Mancini's agent Giorgio De Giorgis is preparing to broker a deal with Inter Vice-President Rinaldo Ghelfi.

Over the last few months, Mancini has stressed that he would like to return to the bench, but he must sever ties with the Beneamata first.

Source: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... eb27e.html

[Messinterista]

Julio Cesar has Totti curse - Friday 27 February, 2009

Julio Cesar has kept out Manchester United’s best, but admits he fears Sunday’s showdown with Francesco Totti.

“Who would I cut out of the Roma squad between Totti, Julio Baptista and Mirko Vucinic? That’s easy, I’d love to leave Totti out, as he always scores against me!â€

[zafferano]

well boys ROMA look in deep shit ,no juan,cicinho and now perrotta ,TOTTI not in form and pizzarro need a game o 2 ,
said that the danger remain VUCINIC that in my view vould be good for inter on ibra side better then milito o drogba
he is the perfect striker strong and planty tecnique but very much underrated ,we have the san siro factor not
capable to produce our best there ,and how we recover from the manchester game .

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Messinterista]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

[Messinterista]