Internazionale Main Thread II

[Lombardiamia]

[zafferano]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Anybody watch Chelsea last night? First two goals were counter-attacks where Terry, Carvalho and Ivanovic all got torn to shreds and Hilario was poor on both of them. Good signs.

Tough game vs Udinese tonight. Still don't know who's going to play at CB next to Lucio but if we can scrape a win here, Milan and Roma play next week so somebody's dropping points.

[zafferano]

Julio Cesar 13Maicon 6Lucio 23Materazzi 4Zanetti 17Mariga 5Stankovic 8Thiago Motta 10Sneijder 22Milito 45Balotelli 1Toldo 46Caldirola 15Khrin 7Quaresma 27Pandev 9Eto'o 89Arnautovic All. Baresi UDINESE BALLOTTAGGIO nessuno INDISPONIBILI D'Agostino (2 mesi), Obodo (1 mese), Basta, Floro Flores SQUALIFICATI nessuno ALTRI Berisa, Alemao, Mensah, Landgren, Zimling, Boudianski, Romero, Chara, Ferronetti, Siqueira DIFFIDATI Pepe, Domizzi, Basta, D'Agostino, Handanovic, Pasquale INTER BALLOTTAGGIO nessuno INDISPONIBILI Chivu (fine marzo), Santon (incerto 26ª) SQUALIFICATI Samuel (1), Cordoba (1), Cambiasso (2), Muntari (1), Mourinho (3) ALTRI Orlandoni, Carlsen, Crisetig DIFFIDATI Eto'o

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Julio Cesar 13Maicon 6Lucio 23Materazzi 4Zanetti 17Mariga 5Stankovic 8Thiago Motta 10Sneijder 22Milito 45Balotelli

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Motta lined up at CB and Pandev, Milito and Balotelli in the trident.

Good first half. We lost the ball way too much in midfield but Udinese couldn't really capitalize. Awesome goals from us, especially the second which was amazing to watch unfold and the finish by Maicon was great. Why can't we see a Balotelli like this every game? A great goal and an pinpoint assist for Milito to end the half perfectly and amazingly, no yellow card.

I really like the look of Mariga; he seems very composed on the ball and some nice tackling as well. Stankovic has looked below par once again and he'll be dropped soon if he keeps playing like this. We'll need to get another one just to be sure of the points because at times, we looked a bit shaky out there but to be fair, we're playing after a CL game, away and with only one natural CB so i'll cut the team some slack.

Also, Zanetti gets booked for a handball that actually came up from his knee and then Ludovic(?) elbows Milito square in the face but not even a yellow. Moan, moan, moan.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

We knew we'd struggle but luck played its part as well with that shot hitting the bar at the end. Good win and now we get back 3 players from suspension and a good rest. I won't criticize anyone for looking tired because that's part and parcel of the game but I almost turned off the game simply because of Balotelli. To throw your arm up that high in a wall for a free kick you'd have to be borderline retarded. Then, to watch Milito chase the ball at the 75th min after he's played almost every game and to watch Balotelli standing in the one spot just pissed me off even more. Somebody really needs to take a crow bar straight to the back of his head.

Anyway, Roma dropped points and now we wait and see Roma vs Milan.

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Messinterista]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Messinterista]

Definitely start with Eto'o. He has that big game experience that we are/would be lacking. Did he not start for Barca last season when they knocked Chelsea out?

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[Lombardiamia]

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[Lombardiamia]

In this case, we are talking about a particular scenario not a general one. Eto'o or Balotelli. In general, of course I would go for experience. But knowing how Balotelli usually reacts in big games, I believe that this particular case is quite different than just chosing between experience and non experience. Also I am taking into consideration current form, which might count even more than experience.
Also I might be inclined to chose Balotelli over Eto'o for a pure tactical reason. We all well know that for huge chunks in that game, we shall have a very low defence and a midfield line that will defend just outside the penalty area. Balotelli not only is more capable than Eto'o in keeping the ball possesion or dribbling past his opponent, creating a dangerous counter, but he is also more crucial at keeping at least a Chelsea full back defending his flank. Eto'o is good, I am not against him, but he is good when in form and more importantly when he is played where he belongs. Whoever supports Milito upfront in this game will eventually have to play very wide and Mario is more effective in this case. Mourinho as you said might surprise everyone and put all 3 up there, but he might also put in Pandev...
The main question, as Dejan put it is play Eto'o or play Balotelli who can either beat 3 and score an important goal or get sent off after 5 mins? My answer is, playing Eto'o in this match will most probably mean we'll just have another player who can play that role. Playing Balotelli on th other hand means that we have an ace up our sleeve who can solve the match....or lose it. I prefer to take a risk than not taking one at all.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Both bring up good points and I'm still pretty much leaning to the Pandev side. Imo, everything needs to be put in place so that Milito gets that chance in a good position to score because we know what happens when that's the case. There's also 2 games left as well so the starting spot could be won on who performs best there.

Also, the other call will be on Motta or Zanetti at RM if Santon is fit. I was very insistent on Motta in the first leg and while he was not so good tracking back, he was great at keeping the ball and he was involved in the lead up to both goals. Zanetti might lock that side down but we're still in the same position as the first leg; we're going to need to score at least once. This game has probably come too soon for Mariga though, who I think is just what we need in there, but he looked a little jittery at the start for Udinese so he prob wouldn't cope too well vs Chelsea.

[Messinterista]

Eto'o may not be in form, but he is a WC player, no question there. I'm sure that when it does matter, he will put in the performance that we have been expecting for so long. Balotelli will need to play, but I want to see him used as an impact player. If we are down, bring him on to blitz through the Chelsea defense. Surely by that time, the Chelsea players maybe struggling (so will our boys, if not more), but with Mario's fresh legs, it will be a huge boost. Well, heres hopping anyway...

[Totally FRANK]

For Zanetti and Motta, I think both will start even if Santon is fit. I don't expect Santon to be in form or 100% in two weeks time.

IMO Balotelli won't start against Chelsea even if he is in the form he is now. He is too unpredictable for a crucial game like this. He might produce a magical performance or he might be sulking on the field miserably without helping out his teammates. I think Mourinho will go with the safe option of Eto'o or Pandev, I am leaning towards Pandev. Pandev like Sneijder can play between the midfield and attack channels and can release Milito with a single pass. Also, you get the guarantee that he will work his ass off for the team and play his part in defending as well. This is not a guarantee if Balo plays and thats why he won't start.

[Totally FRANK]