Internazionale Main Thread II

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[Dejan-Stankovic]

[maro]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Calcio Debate: Who Will Win The Scudetto – Inter, Milan Or Roma?
With just four points separating the top three in Serie A, Carlo Garganese weighs up the Scudetto chances of Inter, Milan and Roma…

By Carlo Garganese
Mar 22, 2010 2:00:00 PM

Table

Inter 60 points: 29 17 9 3
Milan 59 points: 29 17 8 4
Roma 56 points: 29 16 8 5

INTER

For

• Strength. Inter possess the strongest and deepest squad in Serie A. Compare Inter’s roster to that of Milan and Roma, and you would expect the quality to tell in the end.

• Superior consistency. Although their form has been shaky of late, consistency often wins league titles. Milan and Roma, on the other hand, have a history of slipping up against smaller sides.

• Experience. This current Inter knows how to get over the line and has the experience having lifted every Scudetto since Calciopoli in 2006.

• 'The Special One'. Inter’s coach is a winner with a capital ‘W’. Jose Mourinho has won trophies and leagues galore in his career so far. You would back him against Leonardo and Claudio Ranieri when push comes to shove.

• Home rule. Inter have five of their last nine games at home, whereas Milan and Roma play only four at home.

• A clean injury list. Only Christian Chivu, who is expected back in a week or so, and Wesley Sneijder who misses the Livorno clash on Wednesday with a minor complaint, are unfit.

Against

• Poor form. Champions League aside, Inter have entered a bad run just at the wrong time. They have won just one of their last seven domestically.

• Champions League. While Milan and Roma are out of Europe, Inter will have to divide their focus and energies on two fronts. Not to mention the fact that the Champions League is more of a priority than Serie A. The Nerazzurri also may have two extra games in the Coppa Italia.

• Mario Balotelli. The teenager has fallen out with Jose Mourinho at an inopportune time. Aside from the fact Inter could do with him, the soap opera is dominating the media attention at Appiano Gentile.

• Inter have difficult fixtures to come against Roma and Fiorentina away and Juventus at home. Three of their final four games are against teams fighting for survival, which are always dangerous at the end of the season.

Remaining Fixtures: Livorno (h), Roma (a), Bologna (h), Fiorentina (a), Juventus (h), Atalanta (h), Lazio (a), Chievo (h), Siena (a)

Injuries: Christian Chivu (expected back March 30)

Form (last five Serie A games): DWDLD

Other Competitions: Champions League, Coppa Italia


MILAN

For

• Ronaldinho. The Brazilian has been reborn this season, and if he continues his current form anything is possible. Ronnie has an astonishing 16 Serie A assists and counting.

• Pippo Inzaghi. The veteran always starts and finishes the season like a man possessed. Expect plenty of goals between now and May.

• Hunger. Milan have not won the Scudetto since 2004, while Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani will be desperate to prove their doubters wrong and will demand everything from their players.

• No Champions League. Milan will only have to play one game a week following their European elimination. They will be much fresher than Inter.

Against

• Gaps in the squad. Milan look especially weak in defence and with Alessandro Nesta out for a while will the Rossoneri score more than they concede?

• Injuries. Milan have by far the longest casualty list out of the three contenders. It is also doubtful Amantino Mancini is good enough to stand in for Pato and David Beckham on the right of attack.

• Difficult run-in. Milan’s last five games of the season are incredibly difficult. They must play Sampdoria, Palermo, Fiorentina, Genoa, Juventus to end the campaign.

• Missed opportunity. Milan passed up a golden chance to go top yesterday afternoon when they drew with Napoli. You don’t present Inter with second chances because they punish you.

Remaining Fixtures: Parma (a), Lazio (h), Cagliari (a), Catania (h), Sampdoria (a), Palermo (a), Fiorentina (h), Genoa (a), Juventus (h)

Injuries: David Beckham (season over), Oguchi Onyewu (season over), Alessandro Nesta (April 30), Daniele Bonera (April 18), Massimo Ambrosini (April 18), Alexandre Pato (unknown)

Form (last five Serie A games): WWDWD

Other Competitions: None


ROMA

For

• Easy run-in. Looking at Roma’s final nine games, they have by far the easiest fixtures out of the contenders. It is conceivable they could win eight games, not including the head-to-head with Inter.

• Inter six-pointer. Roma host the Nerazzurri at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend. If they win this game, then they really can dream about the Scudetto.

• World Cup hunger. Roma boast a number of players eager to impress in order to earn a last minute call-up to the World Cup. Luca Toni, Simone Perrotta and Jeremy Menez are three such examples.

• Quality. Roma really do have an excellent squad. They have outstanding players in each department, except perhaps at goalkeeper. The Giallorossi cannot be accused of lacking ability.

• Out of Europe. Like Milan, Roma can concentrate on Serie A, although they are still in the Coppa Italia.

Against

• Claudio Ranieri. ‘The Tinkerman’ is the ultimate likeable loser, and just doesn’t posses the winning mentality a coach needs in order to win major trophies. Ranieri has never won the league or a major European trophy.

• Roma’s general history of second best. Like Ranieri, Roma are often described as Eternal losers. Many times in the past they have just fallen short.

• Small dangers. While Roma’s run-in is favourable, it is the smaller teams that often pose them more problems. This was proven with the recent 3-3 draw at struggling Livorno.

• Francesco Totti’s injury. Er Pupone has been really struggling recently with his fitness. Can Roma really win the Scudetto without their inspirational captain at his peak?

Remaining Fixtures: Bologna (a), Inter (h), Bari (a), Atalanta (h), Lazio (a), Sampdoria (h), Parma (a), Cagliari (h), Chievo (a)

Injuries: Francesco Totti (April 18)

Form (last five Serie A games): WDDDW

Other Competitions: Coppa Italia

[Messinterista]

Balotelli: 'Inter won, not Mourinho!'

Mario Balotelli enjoyed the gift of a Milan jersey and pointed out “it was the team that won at Stamford Bridge, not Jose Mourinho.â€

[Dejan-Stankovic]

APPIANO GENTILE - Preparations for Wednesday's night's Serie A Week 30 match at home to Livorno kicked off this morning at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.

The players used most against Palermo on Saturday night went through a light session while the others were put through a full session consisting of warm-up exercises, possession drills and tactical practice games.

Rene Krhin trained apart while Wesley Sneijder underwent precautionary medical tests. The Dutchman has sustained a right leg adductor strain.

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Why the fuck now? If he misses Roma and CSKA we're pretty much screwed.

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

Milito in doubt for Roma clash
Tuesday 23 March, 2010
Inter striker Diego Milito will miss tomorrow's match against Livorno and could also be out of Saturday's top of the table clash with Roma.

The 30-year-old Argentinian, who has scored 17 goals in Serie A this season, reported a muscular problem to Inter's medical staff during training today.

He is currently undergoing a scan, but it looks increasingly likely that Milito will be ruled out at a crucial juncture for the Nerazzurri.

Inter have a one-point lead at the top of Serie A and a four-point cushion over third placed Roma.

Wesley Sneijder will also miss Livorno's visit to San Siro tomorrow with muscle fatigue, although the Dutchman is expected to be back in time for Inter's trip to the capital at the weekend.

In other news, Cristian Chivu is fully fit again after he suffered a fractured skull against Chievo on January 6.

The Romanian defender will definitely be in Jose Mourinho's squad for Inter's upcoming games.

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Arsenal Ace Cesc Fabregas Will Join Inter, Who Have Opened Insurance Policy For Him - Report
Inter could sign Fabregas in the summer after taking out an insurance policy for him, according to reports...

By Salvatore Landolina
Mar 23, 2010 4:10:00 PM

Inter are so certain of landing Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas at the end of the season, they have taken out an insurance policy against him becoming injured in future, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Despite Fabregas being under contract with Arsenal, Inter have reportedly added his name to their insurance policy which applies to every player under contract with them, such is the guarantee that the Spanish international will join Jose Mourinho's side.

Fabregas could form a formidable partnership with Esteban Cambiasso in central midfield should the audacious move come to fruition, and Mourinho will adapt his formation to play with the Gunner in mind.

It's no secret the 'Special One' is a keen admirer of the former Barcelona player and part of the deal will see troubled striker Mario Balotelli join Arsenal. The Italian under-21 striker has often been linked with a move to north London.

Such a move is rare in football in terms of clubs taking out insurance policies to protect players before their arrival, but reports in Italy are certain this has happened, fuelling speculation that Fabregas has already decided to join Inter at the end of the season.

"Fabregas is not yet under contract at Inter, but he will be. Fabregas to Inter. You have understood well," is what the reporter from Sky Sport Italia said when their news bulletin was aired on Tuesday afternoon.

[Messinterista]

[Messinterista]