Internazionale Main Thread III

[Lombardiamia]

Well we did play better in the second half, even though no goals were scored. But I suspect that was more about Twente getting exhausted from the continuous pressing since the first minute rather than us getting any better. Unfortunately Milito is really not there and in most occasions he simply loses possession immediately having our opposition counter us easily. Also the pressure applied by our midfield is too sterile and they almost always had a numerical superiority in there, leaving our backline exposed. We have to have a much better physical condition to be able to play the way Rafa wants, but the players have to also assimilate better what he wants from them. There's no need to worry much for the time being, since Twente's goals came from dead ball situations and the condition of some very important players is precarious. What worries me most is that our strikers do not have a plan going forward. They seem to be doing what they think is best doing that moment instead of having something worked up before the match... dont know but that was my impression.

[Totally FRANK]

I think the second half improvement was also down to MIlito's improved off the ball movement. He was a little static in the first half and as Lomba said lost too many balls easily. He is the focal point of our attack so he needs to improve his form and physical condition for us to get better.

And Benitez is making some tweaks as Milito himself says here

“Our opponents know our movement now and the change of management also sees Benitez try to impose his ideas, such as playing Wesley Sneijder closer to me. We’re always looking for new alternatives.”

[Lombardiamia]

Indeed I had noticed that this year, both Sneijder & Eto'o are trying to player closer to Milito than last year. Whereas it is beneficial for Eto'o, since that is a more natural position to him, I'm not quite sure it's good for Sneijder, since we end up losing any kind of game build up from the midfield and now that Motta isn't available, there is absolutely no one who can start things from the belt line.

[Messinterista]

Rafa to change Inter

Inter boss Rafa Benitez is preparing to change his team dramatically after a lacklustre start to the season, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Nerazzurri drew away to FC Twente on Tuesday and had to work hard to beat Udinese last weekend, sparking a little concern.

In total, Inter have drawn two and lost one of their five official games under Benitez.

La Gazzetta understands he is now thinking about changing the system to help his ailing midfield.

When Inter travel to Palermo at the weekend we are likely to see Benitez line his team up in a 4-3-1-2 rather than a 4-2-3-1.

Roberto Mancini often used this formation at San Siro and would win three Scudetti, but there is a sense that Benitez will use it to make his team more negative.

Source: http://football-italia.net/sep16c.html

[Totally FRANK]

We are too early in the season for Rafa to totally abandon the 4-2-3-1, which has worked wonders till now and jump ship to a 4-3-1-2. The only reason I think think of is to allow Eto'o to play more as a proper striker than on the left.

[Lombardiamia]

A 4-2-3-1 formation needs a much better physical condition than what we have now to be applied correctly. Also Pandev is injured (as well as Motta), therefore it makes much sense to shift to a diamond formation, as it requires less physical effort on the lads (and Muntari & Mariga are better suited in a 3-man midfield). Also having Eto'o partner Milito upfront will help Milito to ease a little the pressure off his shoulders. Once he retains his old form, things will change.

[Messinterista]

Talk of us going for Scott Brown from Celtic (along with Juve) considering his contract is up at the end of this season. Anyone know anything about him?

[Lombardiamia]

These past two years I have read about many rumuors linking us and other Italian squads with British players, yet they are never true. British players VERY rarely move out of there so I have decided that whenever we're linked to one, it's obviously a false track..

[red]

[Lombardiamia]

[red]

Touché.

[Totally FRANK]

Good game, we won it after Benitez's tactical change and some good finishing by Eto'o. Poor Diego, he is so out of form. He had 2-3 good chances but the ball just wouldn't go in.

It was good to see Stankovic back. The second goal was reminiscent of the old Stankovic-Maicon connection during the Mancini days.

[Totally FRANK]

WTF
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Zanetti taken to hospital
Sunday 19 September, 2010
Inter captain Javier Zanetti is in hospital under observation after suffering chest pains. “It’s a precaution,” said Rafa Benitez.

The veteran walked towards the locker room after the 2-1 win in Palermo when he started to feel unwell.

“Zanetti had chest pains down the right side. He was calm, but the medical staff decided to take him in to hospital as a precaution,” explained Benitez.

There are also reports he felt pain in his head and had been struck hard by a loose ball in the final moments of the game.

Zanetti has been taken to the Villa Sofia clinic in Palermo for checks.

[zafferano]

Diego is doing so bad even silly Suazo could have scored that chances
the good thing about that is that he can only get better.Chivu get me
nervous ,we may see Santon on the left soon .

[Lombardiamia]

Milito has some mental problems which every striker every now and then has. Once he gets his first goal, he will be back to his usual self. yesterday I thought he was making almost everything right, but he lacked the personality to put the ball in. So that is why I am not worried. His movements are back to his usual, physical condition seems pretty good too. Right now, he is his own worst enemy.
Chivu is sloppy at times Briz, but he did solve our problems on at least 2 occasions yesterday. Certainly its much better to have Zanetti in there.
And I agree with Frank about Benitez winning us this match. He made some excellent tactical modifications without actually subbing anyone. Moving Zanetti on the right wing and Pandev on the left to open up Palermo's back four, moving Stankovic next to Cambiasso as a regista and Eto'o infront of Milito to take the opportunities that this new setup would have created. Quite an excellent tactical plan and credit should be given to him!

[Messinterista]

Zanetti: 'I'm fine now'

Inter captain Javier Zanetti reassured fans after he went to hospital with chest pains. “It hurt, but I couldn’t stop, as we were winning.”

The veteran collapsed on his way back to the locker room after the 2-1 victory in Palermo this afternoon. There were even reports of a heart problem.

“I got hit by the ball in my stomach, but I couldn’t stop despite the terrible pain, as we were winning,” he told Inter Channel.

“When I got back to the locker room, I felt as if my thorax was blocked, so I called Doctor Combi and we went to the hospital for a few precautionary check-ups.

“I want to reassure everyone, I am fine and very happy for the victory that Inter deserved already in the first half, when we created many scoring opportunities and were unlucky to go a goal down.

“After the break, with character and good football, we fully earned the three points.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/sep19u.html
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He is the epitome of a true leader. Glad to hear that everything is ok.

[Messinterista]

Sure Milito is in a slump atm but aern't we so lucky to have Eto'o there as a backup. Rafa may have tactically showed what he is capable of, but Eto'o has saved our bacon twice already this season.

[juventino_italiano]

Matchday 4 is mid week....make your picks: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=611

[Totally FRANK]

Milito upset with Benitez
Monday 20 September, 2010
Inter striker Diego Milito is upset with Rafa Benitez for always taking him off and has asked for clear-the-air talks.

The Argentina international striker has never gone so long without a goal in Italy and was substituted for a fourth time this season in Inter's 2-1 victory over Palermo on Sunday.

Television cameras picked up Milito asking: “Why I am always the one to come off?”

Milito didn't even bother giving Benitez a Hi-Five as he was substituted.

When he sat down on the bench, he was overheard saying: “This isn't fine. We need to speak about this here.”

After the game, Benitez said: “Milito played a fantastic game, one full of all things that a striker must do to make his team play well.

“He only lacked a goal, but one will arrive soon enough. I have spoken with him and I am angry with Diego only because he is angry with himself.

“He mustn't be concerned with not scoring. He must think about the great job that he has done for the team.

“It has already happened to me once that a striker wasn't scoring: it was Peter Crouch who we signed for Liverfekkin'wankscum from Southampton. Then he got off the mark and we were criticised when we sold him.

“For us, Milito is very important and he showed it in his movement for Eto'o's equaliser.

“He will score many goals very soon. We spoke a few minutes ago and I have reiterated my confidence in him.”

[Totally FRANK]

I read that Benitez had got us training with that formation for sometime now so that he could accommodate both Eto'o and Milito up front. I think the biggest problem is fitting in Sneijder in this formation unless we play him on the right where Zanetti played yesterday.