Internazionale Main Thread II

[Totally FRANK]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Totally FRANK]

Branca su Rubin, Dessena e Cigarini
11 10 2007
L'Inter lavora al futuro e guarda al mercato interno: nelle ultime settimane si registra una notevole attività degli uomini di Moratti per il 20enne difensore del Torino Rubin e per i centrocampisti del Parma Dessena e Cigarini

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Chivu for Romania return
Thursday 11 October, 2007
Inter defender Cristian Chivu is risking the wrath of his club by rushing back from injury to play for Romania this weekend.

The ex-Roma star picked up a shoulder injury in an international friendly against Germany in September and was criticised by President Massimo Moratti.

Despite the reservations of his club, Chivu is set to make his return against Holland on Saturday.

“I am taking full responsibility for returning earlier than expected because my country and need me as well as Inter,â€

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Let's see what happens....

[Totally FRANK]

Calcio Debate: Mancini Marches On
Inter Coach Roberto Mancini has silenced his critics following a three-game winning-streak and has put Inter back on track for a third straight Scudetto. Max De Luca wonders why Mancio still does not receive the respect and recognition that he deserves...

The season did not start smoothly for the silver-haired supremo as rumblings emerged about his coaching credentials after an opening day draw against Udinese and a 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce on match-day one of the Champions League.

Mancini was grilled by the Italian media causing but the ex-Lazio tactician responded by saying that the criticism was greatly exaggerated and that it was too early in the season to heap such doom and despair upon his team.

He was then lambasted again by the Italian media after his squad was held by Serie A whipping-boys Livorno in week four. President Massimo Moratti decided to enter the fray and issued a public vote of confidence, seeking to defuse the criticism that was being lashed upon the beleaguered Coach.

The media did not seem to care that Mancini had to deal with an injury crisis, an internal power struggle and an underachieving Brazilian superstar, Adriano. The Italian press also speculated that newly-departed Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might replace him in the Inter hot-seat.

An outside observer reading the Italian newspapers may have concluded that Inter were in the relegation zone. However nothing could be further from the truth as Mancini and his team were still unbeaten in Serie A.

Well, what a difference a couple of weeks can make as Mancio can do no wrong at the moment as his team is playing with supreme confidence, having since gone on a three game winning-streak. His decision to employ Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the lone striker in the week six clash with Roma was a masterstroke, as was his decision to bring on Julio Cruz and Hernan Crespo as substitutes. The Nerazzurri thumped their title-rivals 4-1 and all three players got on the scoresheet.

The following week Mancini’s decision to start Cruz upfront with Ibra also paid dividends as the Argentine netted a brace as Inter beat Napoli 2-1. Mancini has the respect of his squad and even players who have had limited time on the pitch, such as Nicolas Burdisso, Santiago Solari and Francesco Toldo, have got on with their job and behaved like true professionals.

In last week’s Champions League match with PSV, Mancini had three Primavera players in his squad and a makeshift back-four, however the team still pulled together to earn an impressive 2-0 victory.

Ibrahimovic, Luis Figo and Julio Cesar have all been outstanding this season and the Swede has all the tools at his disposal to become an Inter legend. Figo has been playing like he has taken a drink from the fountain of youth, while Julio Cesar will surely be the starting goalkeeper for Brazil sooner than later.

With 17 points in seven games, Inter are ahead of last years record-shattering pace and have yet to be beaten. The sky should be blue in Mancini’s world yet he still can’t seem to earn any respect among the pundits in Italy.

His team faces Reggina, Palermo and Genoa in their next three games and it is very possible that they will face Juventus in the Derby D’Italia on November 4 as the only undefeated team in Serie A.

Mancini is an underrated manager and if he obtains a third straight Scudetto this season he would surely catapult himself alongside some of the prestigious Inter coaches of the past, such as the great Helenio Herrera.

Granted Mancio hasn’t achieved the European success that ‘Il Mago’ accomplished but three straight Serie A titles would be an impressive feat nonetheless.

Time will only tell if Mancini will be vindicated or vilified as football can be a fickle sport. There is lots of football left to play and Inter are not assured of the title but remain one of the frontrunners. Mancio has won championships on the pitch and in the technical area which is more than can be said of his critics and pundits who ridicule him from the comforts of their own desks.
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To be fair, i am in doubt whether even ardent inter fans like us would have written such an article with so much appreciation for mancio....And comparing him to the all time greatest inter coach Herrera is little too much really...

[Dejan-Stankovic]

To a degree, Mancio is still a coach learning his trade. He managed Fiorentina and Lazio.. not exactly Inter in terms of class, personel etc etc. Everyone can see his growth from year one till now. He seems to have Serie A well figured out but Europe is something he is still learning. However, look at the squad he has built with players who were seemingly second rate and are now among the worlds best in their respective positions.

The Romans here give him shit but in a few years, when he has figured out European football, he will be held as one of the best coaches around. but for now, he's only an amateur in Europe compared to Capello, Mourinho etc.

[Lombardiamia]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

Van der Vaart ancora in bilico tra Inter e Chelsea?

Il rinnovo di Van der Vaart da parte dell'Amburgo sembra essere l'idea maestra per allontanare le mire coloniali di Inter e Chelsea. il centrocampista olandese è infatti da tempo un'idea fissa di Roberto Mancini e del patron Moratti.

[Totally FRANK]

Milan have the best midfield in the world....There is no doubt about that.....Pirlo,gattuso,ambro,seedorf and kaka....may be except ambro the others are the best of the best in the business......

It's true about inter....we don't have any best of the best except ibra.....Only ibra can be categorised in the class of kaka and pirlo as the best among the best.....But the others we have are very good in terms of what the team needs......

And to be fair capello's juve also did not have those super duper stars.....atleast not the numbers that milan have.....May be that's the reason why milan do so well in the champions but slightly falter when it comes the league....While like us capello's juve did well in the league.....

Finally i agree with all your ratings but i would rate Inter's ibra > Juve's ibra(for obvious reason,he is in sensational form for us and has been more influential and inspirational for inter than juve).......And Inter's vieria<Juve's vieria(simply bcos he played more games for them and score more goals )

[Lombardiamia]

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

Samuel: "Happy if the others don't score"


APPIANO GENTILE - He doesn't talk much but when he does, he does it with his ice-like eyes. And most of all, with his performances on the pitch. Walter Samuel, one of the protagonists of Inter's sprint start to the season, gave this interview to Italian television programme Studio Sport:

Samuel, do you ever think back to the early days of your career in Italy?
"Yes. I came here after winning the Libertadores Cup with Boca Juniors and after the Intercontinental Cup, but it was hard to imagine such a quick adaptation to Italian football. If I have done well it's thanks to my compatriots at Roma like Batistuta and Balbo who made me feel at home, and the work done with Capello."

You had a good first season at Inter but found the second one a bit difficult. 'The Wall' has returned now.
"I wasn't very lucky last year. I had two serious muscular injuries and this had never happened to me before. But I'm fine now and I think the results are coming. I also think that Inter's show of strength comes from the group's strength and compactness. The group is a very important aspect and I have always felt part of the Inter group."

What kind of relationship do you have with Roberto Mancini?
(Smiles) "There are no problems... But I never bond with the coaches too much because I prefer for each person to respect his role. It's the same with Mancini, Capello and all the other coaches I have had in my career. Maybe I don't get too friendly with them, but there is total respect. Always. This is perhaps part of my nature. I'm a bit reserved."

Reserved, but also a defender who scores a lot of important goals. Did you start as a striker?
"I played in attack until I was twelve, and then they realised that I wasn't doing too well so they told me it would be better if I found a place in defence... I certainly like it when I score, it's a joy for me, my family and those who care about me. But the most important thing for me is not letting anyone score against Inter."

The Champions League or a second consecutive Scudetto?
"With the squad we have, we can clearly think about winning both. After winning the Scudetto last year, after the party and the joy we felt with our fans, we're all thinking about trying to do the same, so we will try to win the Scudetto and do well in the Champions League."

Milan will play against your ex-team Boca in December...
"Milan will have to be very careful because Boca are strong and very experienced at direct elimination matches. Many clubs have underestimated South American opponents in the past and have had problems. It won't be easy for Milan. Boca will make their best preparations and as always, will have my support."

Francesco Totti and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Samuel knows both of them well. Neither of them was included in the list of 30 players for the FIFA World Player award.
"I don't think it's right because of what they did last season and for how they have started this season. I have played with both of them and I can say that it's better to have them with you because as opponents they are devastating."

Can your compatriot Messi beat Kaka to the Ballon d'Or?
"He's a superb player. I've spoken to him and I know he's happy because he's scoring and he's in great form. He can certainly win the Ballon d'Or, but we're talking about two great players."

It seems almost paradoxical to see Samuel left out of the national team...
"It's like this and I'm disappointed because I have played in the national team for many years and it's very important for me. If I weren't in form I'd be the first to back down, but I'm feeling in great form so I'm disappointed about not being there, and Crespo, Cruz and Solari feel the same way. I hope to get back in the national team soon thanks to the positive things done with Inter."

[Dejan-Stankovic]

[vtec]

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[Dejan-Stankovic]