Internazionale Main Thread III

[Lombardiamia]

[Messinterista]

Moratti wants Barca revenge Wednesday 7 April, 2010

Inter President Massimo Moratti believes his players are excited at the prospect of getting revenge over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Nerazzurri booked their place in the last four of Europe's premier club competition last night with an efficient 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in Russia.

Jose Mourinho's side have now won their last five games in the Champions League, although they drew and lost to Barca in the group stages.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Moratti was asked if Barcelona represent a step up in the difficulty level with respect to CSKA.

“But it will be so fascinating,â€

[Totally FRANK]

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[maro]

[maro]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

Blog: One step closer
Inter are one step from the Champions League Final but Steve Wilson, after watching the performance of Lionel Messi, wonders just how they will defeat Barcelona

Well, if you are going to do something, you may as well do it the hard way – and Inter certainly have to do it the hard way in their European Cup semi-final. After a confident, but understated, 2-0 aggregate win against underdogs CSKA Moscow, the Nerazzurri will have sat back in their hotel and watched the match that decided their semi-final opponent. It is entirely possible that they have emerged from behind the sofa by the time you read this…

Okay, of course it is a little disrespectful to suggest a side containing players of the experience and ability of Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Samuel Eto’o and Wesley Sneijder will be cowering at the prospect of facing Lionel Messi. However, it would be a fool who did not acknowledge that the little Argentine is currently the undisputed best player in the world and a legitimate threat to Inter’s ambitions. His four star show against Arsenal was simply sublime.

But before looking too far ahead let’s pause to praise Inter for their progress. Seven years after their last appearance the Serpenti are back on the cusp of achieving Massimo Moratti’s ultimate ambition. Jose Mourinho was brought in to deliver the Champions League crown, and despite the recent domestic stumbles, he is still on target for that goal. Now just one clash stands between Inter and their first European Cup Final since 1972 – but can they really defeat Barca?

For all the magic of Messi, until his fourth goal Arsenal were still realistically a crazy five minutes of fine play away from salvaging a result. Three goals over two games indicates that the Catalans are susceptible at the back. Meanwhile, Inter have not conceded in their last three continental outings. Factor in the reality that Inter have already faced Barca twice this term, and hopefully learned from the games, and you can see some clear positives.

Furthermore, the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-Samuel Eto’o swap deal adds another factor. Eto’o has faced Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves and Eric Abidal time and again in training. If anyone knows their weaknesses he does. Similarly, the Inter players know all Ibra’s trade secrets. This cuts both ways, but certainly gives Inter an advantage they would not have had against Manchester United.

Then you must consider Mourinho’s past history with Barcelona. Employed at the Nou Camp as Bobby Robson’s interpreter, and then assistant to Louis Van Gaal, he would love nothing more than to succeed on the turf of his former employers. It is a feeling he has already experienced against Chelsea, but to eliminate Barcelona – the undoubted top team in the world at present – would be a far greater achievement.

So can Inter do it? They have their own magicians in their ranks. Sneijder’s free-kick goal – scored through a cleverly created gap in the wall by Eto’o – against CSKA, Eto’o’s burst of pace and cool finish against Chelsea, Lucio and Samuel’s defensive master-class in the same tie. All those talents, plus JoMo’s tactical dexterity, suggest it is a real possibility. For the past few seasons I have tipped Inter to win the European Cup, is this the year it pays off?

[Messinterista]

Inter-Barça: Mourinho 'We will win this time'
09:00 del 07 aprile

Inter president, Massimo Moratti, applaudes Mourinho and thinks of the next match with Barcelona: "What a rematch!".
Then he added: "Mourinho's merits are clear. You can see his work, his choices. He makes everything work at its best".

And Mourinho is more confident now: "We have learnt the lesson, we will win the next game against Barça".

Source: http://www.calciomercato.com/index.php?c=46&a=174580

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[maro]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho ready for Barcelona test
– Wednesday, 7 April 2010 12:05 UK

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho plans to spring a few surprises on Barcelona after guiding his side to their first Champions League semi-final since 2003.

The teams have already met in this season's competition with Barca drawing 0-0 in Italy and winning 2-0 at home.
But Mourinho has promised a "completely different" display in the last four. "Rest assured we'll play another game," he said. "This is a mentally different team with confidence and ability. Inter has entered a new dimension."

Wesley Sneijder's early goal earned Inter a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow to complete a 2-0 aggregate quarter-final triumph and set up a last four tie against Barcelona. The reigning European champions demolished Arsenal 4-1 at the Nou Camp, with Lionel Messi scoring all four goals, as they eased through 6-3 on aggregate.

The Spaniards will be overwhelming favourites to reach their third final in five years, but Mourinho, who is the first manager to lead three different clubs (Porto, Chelsea and Inter) to the Champions League semi-finals, remains unfazed.

"They will have the advantage of playing the return at the Nou Camp, but we will know how to treat the two matches," he said.
"It's five consecutive victories in the Champions League now; we are deservedly and comfortably through to the semi-finals. "We can talk of a total change in Inter's history in the Champions League.

"Whatever happens in the semi-final or the final, Inter will be full of confidence going into next season's Champions League.
"If we don't win it this year, Inter will win it in the next few years."

The Italians have been European champions twice, winning successive titles in 1964 and 1965. They were denied a third victory in four years when they were beaten 2-1 by Celtic in 1967 and they last reached the final in 1972, losing 2-0 to Ajax.

[maro]

Yes, Lomba, I knew you'd say this - I'm just putting it on the record that I disagree: I think this 'new' Inter is much more like the old one than you want to believe and I think that while there are surely plenty at Chelski who miss the success Moaninho had there, there can't be many who miss the brand of football he had the team playing week in, week out. I understand entirely why the Interisti have bought into the Special One's self-made myth; I also happen to believe it's a house of cards.

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Mourinho ready-made to cut Messi down to size

Wednesday 07 April 2010 11:30
Inter could have played with a plastic ball on that plastic pitch and would have still strolled to victory in Moscow.
It fact, the way Wesley Sneijder’s free-kick swerved in the opposite direction to the way the Dutchman struck the sphere suggested that it was in fact a larger version of a table tennis ball.
Six minutes had gone on the clock and the pre-dinner crowd in one of Milan’s city centre watering-holes returned to their cocktails and chit-chat on how they had spent the Easter break.
Jose Mourinho had obviously spent the same period over the long weekend further cementing the Inter team building exercise: in London it was a stroll around the streets near the hotel, in Moscow a visit to the Red Square.
Taking a leaf out of the KGB handbook on discrediting the enemy, he then cast doubts over the home side’s claims that they had to postpone their weekend fixture due to a shortage of security personnel.
It even gave the snide one a chance to have a little dig at those back home when he compared the situation to a stunt Adriano Galliani had pulled when AC Milan had an Italian Cup tie re-arranged early in the year.
It may have been in poor taste considering the events that only recently occurred in Moscow, but then Mourinho’s world never seems to orbit far from the put-down and the “them against usâ€

[Totally FRANK]

Lionel Messi to test José Mourinho's powers of preparation to the limit
The Internazionale coach will need all his tactical skills to stop Barcelona's phenomenon

José Mourinho's powers of preparation are to be scrutinised once again. The Internazionale manager had made considerable play of the painstaking analysis of his former Chelsea side ahead of the teams' second-leg at Stamford Bridge last month, a process that had apparently seen him watch the DVD of the first game seven times. "The same match, stopping and going back over bits, over and over again," he had said. He may as well have Lionel Messi's demolition of Arsenal on a permanent loop in his office at the club's training complex in Appiano Gentile from now on.

The man once recognised in Catalonia merely as El Tradutor has less than two weeks to conjure the answers that eluded Arsène Wenger and his helpless players at Camp Nou last night. Barcelona have a reputation for fluid motion and grace in possession but now it was their attacking talisman's sparkle that left the Gunners dazzled and dazed, with the humiliation played out to a chorus of "Mess-i Mess-i" bellowed to the heavens. There was a gulf between the teams last night but Arsenal and Barça were united in marvelled appreciation of Messi's irresistible talent. Mourinho touched down from Moscow to be greeted with tales of a phenomenon whom he must now eclipse.

There is, almost inevitably, a history between the two. Though the 22-year-old has not scored in six previous meetings against Mourinho's teams, in 2006 his trickery induced a horrible lunge from Asier del Horno which had Chelsea's Spanish full-back sent off before the interval and left the tie inexorably tipped towards the Catalans. Barça prevailed 2-1 that night, with the Portuguese apoplectic in accusations of his team's tormentor. "How do you say cheating in Catalan?" he asked. "Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned play-acting very well."

Those comments are not forgiven. Barça's support urged Mourinho to "go to the theatre" as the holders defeated Inter 2-0 in this season's group stage last November, in which Messi was an unused substitute. Regardless, the Italian side drew encouragement even in defeat that night. "Barcelona, as a team, are better than us," Mourinho conceded. "But being beaten by them doesn't mean we can't beat them in the later stages. If I had to play them again tomorrow, I would already be ready. If you told me that Inter will face Barça in the semi-final, I will accept that now."

That is precisely what has come to pass and Mourinho's plan will be formulating. He will be aware of the success Guus Hiddink's Chelsea had in asphyxiating the Catalans for long periods in last season's semi-final second leg, an evening when Michael Essien's dynamism and the relentless hassling and harrying of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda stifled the visitors. Barça had no rhythm, with Messi thrust to the periphery, and ultimately secured salvation only through Andres Iniesta's late flash of brilliance. "Chelsea are a team with a lot of experience who can stick to 90 minutes of discipline because they are all 28, 29 or 30," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's confrontation with Barça. "It is mentally demanding when you don't touch the ball. They did a great job on that. But we would be a bit destabilised to give [Barcelona] completely the ball."

If Arsenal do not yet boast the maturity to accept an evening of limited ambition and extreme endeavour, effectively holding opponents at arm's length, Hiddink's Chelsea could. Wenger's philosophy, admirable as it might have been, was very much to concentrate on how his own team could hurt Barcelona and, therefore, out-score them. That was bold but unrealistic.

Mourinho will be more pragmatic: the starting point for his game-plan is surely how best to suffocate his opponents. In Esteban Cambiasso (29), Thiago Motta (27) and Javier Zanetti (36) he boasts players of considerable experience who are willing to set their sights on destruction. Motta drove Didier Drogba to distraction in last month's contest, with the Ivorian eventually dismissed for a stamp. The Brazilian may now seek the Argentinian's scalp. "Rest assured we'll play another game," Mourinho said on learning of Barcelona's progress. "This is a mentally different team with confidence and ability. Inter has entered a new dimension."

Their display at Chelsea proved as much. What had appeared a bold ploy of cramming attackers into the line-up had actually been designed to force the hosts' marauding full-backs into their shells, in the knowledge that Chelsea lack effervescence at times in the centre when Essien is absent. Barcelona pose threats throughout their team, though it is in the invention of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi that they are most potent. Inter's midfield may lack youth and pace but they are shrewd and, if needed, ruthless. Lucio, arguably one of the best centre-halves in the world, will relish making his mark on this tie.

Barcelona recognise a very different challenge lies ahead. "If our centre-halves cannot make passes to our midfielders, or our midfielders do not supply our forwards, then Messi will not have as many opportunities," Pep Guardiola said. Starving the supply-line may be the most effective way of rendering the world player of the year a passenger. Mourinho must now prove that much is possible.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Messi is a headache but so is Ibra, Xavi, Iniesta etc etc so if we focus only on one, surely another will tear us apart. We were talking in the shoutbox last night about the best way to play Barca and Mary was saying to concede some space on the wings and up top so that the area of the pitch we need to defend is a lot smaller and easier to suffocate which is spot on imo. That would mean that Eto'o and Pandev would have to come slightly in a little instead of hugging the touchlines in defense but there should be a ton of space left there to counter when Abidal and Alves come forward.

If anyone saw the first Classico, I was surprised at how Madrid were able to constantly find holes with counter attacking pressure so there's definitely something there. Marcelo, for example, found himself about three times wide open with the keeper to beat at the edge of the box but missed the shots due to last ditch tackles and inaccuracy. Apart from that, it's kind of hard to find a game plan that would work. Slugging it out punch for punch would be suicide.