Internazionale Main Thread II

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[Messinterista]

Nine-man Inter Milan moved nine points clear of city rivals AC Milan at the top of Serie A thanks to a 2-0 win at the San Siro.

Diego Milito gave the Nerazzurri the lead in the 10th minute, but they were forced to play over two-thirds of the game with 10 men after Wesley Sneijder was sent off.

Milan tried to react but Goran Pandev's 65th-minute strike secured the points for Jose Mourinho's side, who lost Lucio to a red card in stoppage time before Ronaldinho saw his penalty saved at the end of a dramatic derby.

During a build-up which had involved more tactics than any game of football, Sneijder and Alessandro Nesta were both set to miss an eagerly-anticipated Milan derby.

While an injury to Nesta was confirmed only on the morning of the match, Sneijder's recovery from a virus gave Inter the first mini-victory of the night.

The Dutchman, who masterminded a sensational recent recovery against Siena to preserve Mourinho's home invincibility, almost made an immediate impact with less than two minutes on the clock as he struck a curling volley against the outside of the post from 25 yards.

David Beckham was shown the first yellow card of the game for his second foul in the third minute and that early booking set a strict standard which referee Gianluca Rocchi was obliged to maintain.

But before the referee stamped his authority on the game, Inter were threatening to run away with it.

Milan goalkeeper Dida had to make a desperate save with his foot to deny Sneijder in the eighth minute before two quick-fire attempts from Esteban Cambiasso were both blocked.

The opening goal was inevitable and it came in the 10th minute from Inter's top goalscorer Milito.

Ignazio Abate played a half-hearted header back to his goalkeeper and Milito pounced on the ball, needing one touch to control it and another to place it into the only part of the goal Dida could not reach.

Milito could not beat Dida at his near post in the 15th minute as Inter maintained a constant pressure which was only stalled when Rocchi took centre stage to send Sneijder off.

Lucio was shown a yellow card for simulation and Sneijder applauded the referee ironically, only he did not see the funny side, sending the Dutchman for an early bath in the 26th minute.

The complexion of the game changed and Milan started to pose a threat with Ronaldinho claiming a handball against Maicon inside the penalty area which Rocchi failed to see.

Andrea Pirlo's free-kick took a deflection off Lucio to just clear the crossbar as the Rossoneri started to take control of the game.

Ronaldinho volleyed just inches wide early in the second half before a perfect cross from Beckham was met by a determined Marco Borriello, who headed over from just five yards out.

Milan were forced to take risks and this left gaps at the other end, even for only 10 men to exploit.

A quick break involving Milito and Pandev culminated in the latter lifting a shot over Dida and striking the post on the hour mark.

Pandev found the back of the net in the 65th minute to seal the win with a direct free-kick, but there was still 25 minutes to play down.

They defended resolutely before Rocchi sent the second Inter player off, showing Lucio a second yellow card for a handball inside the penalty area.

However, Julio Cesar denied fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho the chance of reopening the game in stoppage time as he pushed his penalty wide of the post as nine-man Inter held on for a win which takes them nine points clear at the top of Serie A and a step closer to the league title.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho claimed his side could have won with seven men after they had two men sent off in the derby.
''It was a strange game,'' he said. ''I think we all understand that it was no coincidence that he showed the red card to Sneijder. I have realised that they are not going to allow us to wrap this title up. But we were perfect. We would have won this game even with seven men. Maybe with six we would have struggled, but we would have won with seven.''
Referee Gianluca Rocchi also sent Lucio off in second half stoppage time, giving a dubious penalty to Milan for an unavoidable handball inside the penalty area.
Julio Cesar saved Ronaldinho's spot-kick, but Mourinho could not help thinking somebody was trying to sabotage his side's chances of winning another league title, calling into question the integrity of Italian football.
''Everything was done today to try and prevent Inter from winning, but my squad is strong and we will win the Scudetto,'' he told Sky television. ''But I will leave it at that. This is your country and your league. I am just a foreigner working here. One day, I will go and leave this problem with you.''
Meanwhile, Milan coach Leonardo admitted his side had been beaten by the better team, but said they would learn from the defeat.
''We already knew that Inter are strong and one game alone cannot determine where we are,'' he said. ''We will look back at all the positive things we have done recently and look forward to what we can potentially do. All this game does is teach us a few lessons.
''It will not knock us off track and we will carry on taking each game as it comes.''

Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id= ... ague=ITA.1

[Messinterista]

D-day for Kolarov and Ledesma

Inter and Lazio will hold one final meeting this afternoon to discuss the possible transfers of Aleksandar Kolarov and Cristian Ledesma.

Jose Mourinho is keen to improve his side at left-back ahead of the next round of the Champions League and Kolarov has long been his preferred choice in the position.

However, all attempts to sign the 24-year-old Serbia international have failed thus far, forcing Inter's technical director Marco Branca to produce a take it or leave it offer.

The Nerazzurri are prepared to bid €10m for Kolarov and also give Lazio a choice of maybe two youngsters from their academy.

Also said to be up for discussion is the future of Lazio's Cristian Ledesma.

The Argentinian midfielder is due in front of the League's arbitration panel this week to discuss the rescission of his contract.

Mario Giacchetti, the President of the panel, is expected to rule in favour of the player at the end of the month, meaning that Lazio can either sell him in the meantime or lose him for nothing just as in the case of Goran Pandev.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are ready to offer €9m plus Obi or Destro, two of Inter's best youngsters.

If that doesn't suit Lotito then Inter will invite him to part-own Josef de Souza, a Brazil Under-20 international currently at Vasco da Gama, who they intend to sign.

Source: http://www.football-italia.net/jan25e.html

[Dejan-Stankovic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo_S1nAW9nE

I've seen the replays 100 times over and I still can't see what more Lucio could've done. He tried to go for the challenge and he ended up being about a meter away when the ball hit his arm. He was way too close to do anything about it but even so, his arm wasn't exactly flailing about but it's as close to his body as can possibly be. On the penalty, I can sort of see it as a 50/50 as it stopped a goal bound shot but to yellow card him for something he could do nothing about was too harsh, especially since it meant a red at the end. Justice was served when Cesar saved it though.

But we shouldn't be surprised about the peno; I already said in my half time comment that they were due since it had been almost an entire game without them getting one. I can't remember a game without a Milan penalty since 2007.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

If that doesn't suit Lotito then Inter will invite him to part-own Josef de Souza, a Brazil Under-20 international currently at Vasco da Gama, who they intend to sign.

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Lomba, do you know this guy? I've never heard him linked with us before..

I'd hate to be Mou when Eto'o returns. Who the hell can you possibly bench out of Milito, Eto'o and Pandev atm?

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[Lombardiamia]

INTER-MILAN 2-0: LE PAGELLE DEL DERBY


IL MIGLIORE

PANDEV. Aveva già dimostrato nelle scorse settimane di saper cogliere l'occasione e di meritare la maglia da titolare. Per questo la scelta di Mou di preferirlo a Mario non era criticabile. Si è rivelata azzeccata. Ha fatto ammattire l'intera difesa del Milan assieme a Milito: dribbling, movimento,copertura, qualità e pure il gol decisivo. Absolutamente fantastico. Ha un grande desiderio di rivalsa. Voto 8



JULIO CESAR. Il Milan lo impegna seriamente per 85 minuti solo con il colpo di testa ravvicinato di Seedorf. Lui però è sempre attento e sceglie bene i tempi delle uscite. Nel tempo di recupero costruisce la grande prestazione: chiude lo specchio a Huntelaar e soprattutto para il rigore a Ronaldinho. E' tornato decisivo. Voto 7,5

MAICON. Non è stato l'uomo derby, ma ha dato confortanti segnali di ripresa. In difesa è riuscito a limitare Ronaldinho assieme a Zanetti. E' stato il quarto attaccante della squadra, è salito con continuità finchè ha potuto. Gli manca ancora il salto di qualità. Voto 6,5

SAMUEL. Leonardo gli ha dato una grossa mano lasciando Borriello (che comunque si è ben battuto) in mezzo a lui e Lucio. L'argentino non ha sbagliato nulla, ha respinto tutto ciò che ha potuto. Pulito, implacabile. Anche in 10 la difesa non ha mai ballato ed è stata alta. Voto 7

LUCIO. Bello il duello con Borriello. Vince il brasiliano, anche se un paio di volte è stato sovrastato nei duelli aerei. Fa tante belle cose. Rocchi lo prende di mira con 2 cartellini completamente inventati. Voto 6,5

SANTON. Preoccupatissimo di non sbagliare nulla dietro, glielo si legge negli occhi. E Davide in effetti assolve appieno il compito, pressando Beckham con puntualità e costringendolo a crossare dalla trequarti. Un paio di spunti offensivi niente male. Tappa importante nella sua "seconda" occasione nerazzurra. Voto 6,5

CAMBIASSO. Da mostrare nelle scuole calcio la sua partita. Una lezione di posizionamento e intelligenza tattica, che sono doti in assoluto migliorabili ma nel Cuchu sono innate. Non spreca una goccia di energia, fa tutto quello che deve anticipando quel che accadrà. Uno spettacolo per intenditori.Un firewall davanti alla difesa. Voto 7,5

ZANETTI. Ci ha permesso di giocare in 11 sia dopo la prima che dopo la seconda espulsione. Era dappertutto e non solo per merito del suo straordinario fisico. Cuore, abnegazione ed intelligenza tattica: un vero capitano, un esempio per tutti. Recupera 100 palloni, limita Ronaldinho, contrasta chiunque. Voto 8

MUNTARI. Sulley ha fatto di tutto per esserci ed il suo recupero ci ha permesso di tornare al rombo. Non poteva essere al meglio, si è visto perchè raramente è riuscito ad appoggiare l'azione offensiva. Ha sbagliato molti appoggi, ma ha dato tutto specialmente dopo il rosso a Sneijder. Voto 6,5

MILITO. Protagonista assoluto. Un altro gol, semplice solo per chi non ha mai giocato a calcio. Non sta mai fermo, ogni movimento non è mai fine a se stesso ma è fatto in funzione della squadra e di schemi studiati in allenamento. Dicevo in estate che era il meglio di quel che ci potevamo permettere. Mi sbagliavo: finora è stato tra i migliori attaccanti d'Europa. Voto 8

MOTTA. Non ha recuperato del tutto eppure si mette a disposizione. Gioca dietro Milito prima e Balotelli poi gestendo bene palloni che scottano. Va recuperato con calma. Voto 6

BALOTELLI. Mou gli chiede di far respirare la squadra tenendo palla e conquistando qualche punizione. A volte gli riesce, a volte no. Oggi è dietro a Pandev e domani lo sarà anche di Eto'o. Si sintonizzi in fretta sullo scenario mutato. Voto 6

CORDOBA Sv



IL PEGGIORE

SNEIJDER. Finchè è rimasto in campo era stato sontuoso come da tempo gli capita. Vertice basso del triangolo offensivo, ispirato e bravissimo a non dare punti di riferimento agli avversari. Lo trovi in zona Pirlo, dietro Gattuso, contro Abate. L'arbitraggio di Rocchi lo aveva già esasperato, ma non può permettersi una leggerezza simile che ha rischiato di farci perdere un derby che avremmo vinto con 4 gol di scarto undici contro undici. E' recidivo e quindi stavolta va dietro la lavagna. Voto 5



L'ALLENATORE

MOURINHO. Gattuso in settimana aveva avvertito che Josè stava studiando i video delle prestazioni del Milan per trovare le necessarie contromosse. E' andata così e si è visto. Costruisce la vittoria con il rombo ma soprattutto attaccando i rossoneri nel mezzo della difesa, orfana di Nesta. Milito,Pandev e Sneijder non danno punti di riferimento a Favalli e compagni, e a turno uno di loro si allarga dalla parte dell'incerto Abate. Anche in 10 la squadra non soffre mai, a dimostrazione della perfetta organizzazione tattica. Dopo partite così esiste ancora qualcuno che sostiene che l'allenatore conti poco nelle fortune di una squadra? Voto 8

[Totally FRANK]

[Totally FRANK]

Ernesto Paolillo Sees Anti-Inter Conspiracy
The Nerazzurri CEO says the Milan derby events are a clear giveaway…
Inter chief executive Ernesto Paolillo agrees with club president Massimo Moratti, who launched a stinging attack on the Calcio establishment in the wake of last night’s Derby della Madonnina win over Milan.

The Serie A leaders claimed the city’s bragging rights with a 2-0 victory despite being reduced to 10 men midway through the first period when Dutch attacker Wesley Sneijder was given his marching orders after aiming ironic applause at referee Gianluca Rocchi.

Brazilian defender Lucio also saw red in the dying minutes after Milan were awarded a penalty and Moratti later claimed that the ‘wind’ is working against his team.

Paolillo was on the same wavelength, and told La Repubblica: “Between the changes to the fixture list and this match, I have seen one too many signals I didn’t like…â€

[Totally FRANK]

Btw, what's with Materazzi celebrating with a brelusconi mask on his face. Any particular reason?

[Dejan-Stankovic]

I don't know, but it was funny as hell. Top marks for all of the directors and Mou coming out and giving a big fuck you to the league and they should keep doing it until we stop getting massacred by the refs. I really wish I cbf going back through the pages here and seeing how many of our games we all thought we were getting the short stick with the decisions this season.

About the strikers, I really think Eto'o/Milito and Pandev/Balotelli need to be interchanged in exactly those pairs unless we're in a crisis. Having Pandev as a player who can provide assists really gives us another avenue and it's not all left up to Sneijder to find the final pass. In the big games though, it's going to be tough to bench 2 of the 4 strikers when they're playing like this.

This Ledesma/Kolarov deal looks like it's going to go through. All that's left is figuring out who they want on co-ownership and/or loans. I hope they take Khrin so he gets some game time and maybe Destro.

And now we've got the CI. I suppose we have to take it seriously since it's Juve but I hope we still field some youngsters as this competition should be for them. We'll probably see Lucio and Sneijder now cause they won't play vs Parma. I'd like to see Stevanovic, Carlsen and Crestig getting some game time as well as Balo and Donati too.

[Lombardiamia]

Yes Dejan, I too hope we field our reserves for the CI match. Imagine winning against Milan with 9 men & winning against Juve with your reserve team all in one week.......That'd be too good to be true. I am sure we'll see Lucio, Santon, Sneijder, Donati & Balotelli in there. For the rest, its up to Mou what he wants to do. He's always rambling about the fact that our next match is the most important match, so there is a big probability that Mou fields the usual players. After all, even in our last CI match against Livorno, he didnt rest much players.

Agreed also about the strikers. Mou should rotate the players in a way that we always have fresh men up there. Knowing Mou, I'm not sure this will be the way he goes around it though.

As for materazzi, I dont think there is any particular reason why he celebrated with a Berlusca mask, but he is an Interista to the core and a very big anti-Milanista, so in there he was literally an Inter supporter rather than an Inter player.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Inter Defender Marco Materazzi Explains Silvio Berlusconi Mask Celebration

The Italian claims he meant no harm in wearing a mask of Silvio Berlusconi...

Inter defender Marco Materazzi has explained his Silvio Berlusconi mask celebration following the 2-0 win over Milan, brushing it off as just a bit of post-match banter.

Materazzi was seen wearing a mask in the form of Berlusconi's face after the derby - an action that stirred up some debate around the San Siro.

However, the stopper claims there was no malice in his intentions, but just some light-hearted humour rather than a political duck hunt. While most of the fans inside the stadium chuckled, it was no laughing matter for the Rossoneri.

"It was just a derby prank, nothing more," the Italian told his official website.

"There was not intention to cause any trouble or to offend, and there was no political intention.

"As always, what Materazzi does always causes a stir, even though I wore a carnival mask that can be bought anywhere and by anyone. It was to celebrate the win last night.

"I am sure that Silvio Berlusconi, whom I know, will have smiled when he saw me."

Sky Sport Italia claim the Italian's actions could land him in a less than comical mess with the Italian authorities as the incident was reported by the referee to the Lega Calcio's sports judge.

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Even after the game he's still trying to fuck us over.

[Totally FRANK]

Moratti and Paolillo claimed that they would field a youth team if the fixture list wasn't rescheduled. Still it hasn't been right? Milan play on Wednesday and we on Thursday. I think we should field a youth team at least to hold up to that argument. Not that the one week preparation time did wonders to Milan but still its an injustice to us.

[Totally FRANK]

Right on the money.
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Inter MD Paolillo on Radio Anch'io Sport
Monday, 25 January 2010 12:32:36
[FOTO Monday, 25 January 2010 12:32:36]

MILAN - Inter managing director Ernesto Paolillo was interviewed this morning on Italian radio programme Radio Anch'io Sport. He said: "Last night's derby was exciting. It was fantastic, not only for the result but also for the atmosphere in which it took place, especially our players' desire to win against all the odds. But it was clearly evident that something strange is happening.

"The referee Rocchi probably let the match get out of his hands. Let's start from the first episode: Ronaldinho should have been booked (for a foul from behind on Lucio in the opening seconds). I don't think there's a rule that says the referee should turn a blind eye at the first foul. And then there was the episode which led to the dismissal of Sneijder. I'm not complaining about the red card for our player, but Lucio didn't dive and he shouldn't have been booked. That yellow card led to his sending-off in the final stages. This is what has deeply irritated us.

"Also, I think we all saw on television the animosity with which Borriello spoke to the referee after a move, and the referee did absolutely nothing. So an applause counted, but the words spoken by Borriello didn't? This is unfair and absurd.

"I don't think there's a conspiracy to reopen the championship. I'm angry about the refereeing errors, but angrier still for what happened at the Lega Calcio with the changing of dates of matches. There's a lack of respect.

"I lead a company in which there are professional players who train very hard every week; we have a coach, Mourinho, who works like few others do and we work marvellously well with him; a youth academy in which we teach that you win in sport with loyalty, attention, coordination and concentration. I have to show these players that we protect them, otherwise I would lose their respect. For the good of Italian football, it's good to talk about it when there are some strange situations and too many episodes."

[Totally FRANK]

Inter Defender Marco Materazzi Explains Silvio Berlusconi Mask Celebration
The Italian claims he meant no harm in wearing a mask of Silvio Berlusconi...

Inter defender Marco Materazzi has explained his Silvio Berlusconi mask celebration following the 2-0 win over Milan, brushing it off as just a bit of post-match banter.

Materazzi was seen wearing a mask in the form of Berlusconi's face after the derby - an action that stirred up some debate around the San Siro.

However, the stopper claims there was no malice in his intentions, but just some light-hearted humour rather than a political duck hunt. While most of the fans inside the stadium chuckled, it was no laughing matter for the Rossoneri.

"It was just a derby prank, nothing more," the Italian told his official website.

"There was not intention to cause any trouble or to offend, and there was no political intention.

"As always, what Materazzi does always causes a stir, even though I wore a carnival mask that can be bought anywhere and by anyone. It was to celebrate the win last night.

"I am sure that Silvio Berlusconi, whom I know, will have smiled when he saw me."

Sky Sport Italia claim the Italian's actions could land him in a less than comical mess with the Italian authorities as the incident was reported by the referee to the Lega Calcio's sports judge.