Internazionale Main Thread II

[RomaShield27]

Inter start talks for Aguero eh? Do you all believe that?

[Dejan-Stankovic]

His price tag is way too big. Chelsea or Real will probably get him.

Mourinho: "Inter just have to win"
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 14:36:24

APPIANO GENTILE - On the eve of Inter's decisive Champions League Group F clash against Rubin Kazan, José Mourinho opened his pre-match press conference by congratulating tomorrow's opponents on their recent title triumph. "Compliments to Rubin on winning the championship, please send my congratulations to the team, the coach and the fans. It's not an easy championship," he told a Russian journalist.

"We're not scared of Rubin. We are better than them and I think we will win tomorrow. We haven't qualified yet so we can't even think about finishing first or second, or about who we will play after. Inter will just have to win tomorrow."

Mourinho gave journalists no clues as to his starting lineup against the newly crowned Russian champions. "You're all good at guessing my team, you're all good at getting up the trees," he said. "This time, not even my assistants know what team I will play against Rubin. We will see who is good at getting into my head and reading my thoughts."

Former Inter player and official Sandro Mazzola was quoted in today's Italian sports dailies as saying that Mourinho might leave Inter if the side fails to qualify for the last sixteen. "What is Mr Mazzola's role at Inter?" asked Mourinho.

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Lol, never fails to surprise in his press conferences. I'm just glad Sneijder is confirmed to play now. I wonder why the big secrecy for the lineup? I suppose the only spot that's up for grabs is a midfield position which Motta/Muntari will get.

--------------------Cesar------------------------
Maicon-----Lucio-----------Samuel-----Zanetti
-----------------Cambiasso---------------------
---Stankovic--------------------Motta----------
------------------Sneijder-----------------------
--------Eto'o------------------Milito-------------

I can't see it being too much more different than this..

[romawi]

Is there a way for Barca to crash out even if you guys beat Rubin today?

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

[Messinterista]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

[Messinterista]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

I don't think the whole problem lies with Serie A and its quality. Even in 2003, when there were 3 Italian teams in the semi-finals it was not like Serie A was the best. I think the middle tier teams like Genoa, Napoli and Udinese are much stronger now than they were in 2003. I can't remember which teams where present in 2003 but I am pretty sure there is more chance of such teams causing an upset now than before.

Part of the problem lies with the big 3 itself. Juve were sidetracked after the scandal and they are very much in a building phase. Milan have been really poor on the transfer market and they still have the team that played in 2003. Inter under Mancini made some good buys but we were happy with the Scudetto then. Our midfield technically was very weak and is still weak. If we take Milan's midfield and put in our defence and attack, we have got a CL winning squad. By Milan's midfield I mean Pirlo and Seedorf, technically gifted players.

Imagine a midfield department with Pirlo,Seedorf,Cambiasso,Deki,Motta and Sneijder. They can take on any team in the world. For us personally, we need a couple of midfielders of Sneijder's caliber. We are good in all other departments.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

I didn't mean quality as in the number of teams fighting for the Scudetto and Europe but more in terms of its style of play. Milan in 2003 was still able to win because of the absolutely huge technical advantage they had over the rest. Kaka, Seedorf and Pirlo in their prime and Sheva and Inzaghi up front while at the back, Cafu, Maldini, Nesta and Stam were as good as you'll find. But the big three have dropped the ball big time now.

I disagree on putting Milan's midfield in our team simply for the fact that Seedorf and Pirlo aren't cut out for it anymore. In Serie A, it doesn't show as much but this guy releases the ball at a snail pace which slows down the entire team. It's the style of football that has changed and left Italian teams trailing behind. Remember when the smaller CL teams used to just sit back and play on the counter? Now they take the initiative, especially at home and it makes no difference if it's Barca or Birmingham, they're playing to win. Why can they do this? Because no matter what team you're up against, as long as you play a high tempo and technical game, you can win.

This counts especially for Inter. We've been outplayed in all games of the CL barring one (against Dynamo). We were outplayed vs Liverfekkin'wankscum, Man Utd etc. Even today, how can Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger, Muller and Pranjic outplay Diego, Melo, Camo and Marchisio so drastically which led Bayern to having like 25 shots to 7? Answer, they strung more than two passes together and moved it quickly unlike Juve who let the ball go every time they were pressured as they didn't have time to turn and find options.

Once all the Italian teams kick the game speed up a few gears and learn how to hang onto the ball, we'll all be in business.

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

Inter want Candreva in January

Inter's search for a player capable of complementing the creative talent of Wesley Sneijder has accelerated so much they now want Antonio Candreva in January.

The Livorno trequartista has been a revelation this season, making his full international debut for Marcello Lippi's Italy squad against Holland last month.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands Inter President Massimo Moratti will buy Candreva as a reward should Jose Mourinho qualify the Nerazzurri for the next stage of the Champions League.

It has been reported that a deal had already been put in place for Candreva next summer, but Inter's lack of an alternative for Sneijder has forced them into action sooner.

Mourinho has often spoken of his desire to add more Italian elements to his team, as Inter are now infamous for fielding a starting XI solely comprised of foreign players.

Candreva is the subject of an ownership dispute between Livorno and his parent club Udinese.

Livorno claim to part-own the 22-year-old while Udinese believe he is still only on loan after spending last season in Tuscany.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/dec8g.html

[Lombardiamia]

If we manage to pass the group stages of the CL tonight, there is a possibility we buy a midfielder in january. But we wont buy just to buy, we want a young, not injury prone midfielder who can add technique and a good work rate to our midfield. Those are the speculations, however.

[arthurfonzarelli]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]