Internazionale Main Thread III

[RomaShield27]

The honeymoon is over for José Mourinho's successor following Internazionale's 1-0 defeat to Roma
http://www.guardian.co.uk – by Paolo Bandini – Monday 27 September 2010 11.12 BST

Rafael Benítez has known from the day he arrived at Internazionale that to succeed he would need to be like José Mourinho, only better. Titles are expected, but even another treble could be construed as treading water. To avoid unflattering comparisons Benítez must provide victories without the defensiveness, wit without the arrogance, razor-sharp tactics without the amateur dramatics. Inter want chocolate without the calories, one-night stands without the morning after and a delightful puppy without the yellow stains on the carpet.

At every turn Benítez has sought to highlight the differences between him and his predecessor. Unlike Mourinho, he has professed to love Italy, its referees and even its journalists. Unlike Mourinho, he claimed playing attractive football was important to him. Unlike Mourinho, he could win six trophies instead of just three. Or at least that's what he thought. Then Atlético Madrid triumphed in the Uefa Super Cup and the target was lowered to five.

Benítez stopped short of promising a result against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night, but he made damn sure that everyone knew that this was a fixture the Special One lost last season. If the Super Cup represented a missed opportunity to claim a trophy that Mourinho has not yet lifted then this was the chance for a direct comparison. The Spaniard was determined to show that he had found room for improvement.

Turns out he hadn't. The scoreline may have been different but the result was the same: Inter beaten by a single goal and the title race reopened. If that sounds a touch overdramatic so early in the season, it is certainly how the result felt for Roma and several other clubs besides. Victory would have given Inter an 11-point advantage over the Giallorossi after just five games. Roma overcame such a deficit last season but only by going 24 games unbeaten. Even then they could not maintain the pace after finally getting their noses in front.

It was Mirko Vucinic who stuck his own nose in front of Lucio's boot in the second minute of injury time to crash home the game's only goal and the Montenegrin's presence provided another unflattering managerial comparison for Benítez. Where he had replaced the striker Diego Milito with a midfielder, Sulley Muntari, in the second half, his opposite number Claudio Ranieri had been rather less cautious in sending on Vucinic for Francesco Totti.

This was not the first time Ranieri had withdrawn his captain at a crucial juncture of a critical game, but Totti's reaction highlighted how bold a move it had been from a manager whose job is supposedly at risk. "No Totti No Party" reads the infamous banner but on Saturday Er Pupone took no part in the festivities, storming straight down the tunnel with a face like thunder and leaving the stadium at full-time without waiting to celebrate with his team-mates.

Vucinic's strike allowed Ranieri to make light of Totti's behaviour afterwards, and the two kissed and made up yesterday at the Trigoria training ground, but it also highlighted the conundrum he continues to face. Totti is a symbol of this team and beloved of its supporters, but a man who turns 34 today does not run like he once did and the ponderousness of his movement can stifle Roma going forward.

Certainly he could not dream of making up the ground that his replacement did to meet Daniele De Rossi's centre, but what Totti lacks in pace he more than makes up for in influence. Awarded a 10-year contract last season that includes five as a player and five more as a director, Totti's voice will always carry weight in Rome. Ranieri has already argued with his captain once this season – over the tactics used in a 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich – and knows the risks he is taking.

Nor was that the only controversial substitution made by Ranieri. Two minutes from time he had appeared set to introduce Adriano, but at the last second the striker was sent back to the bench with Julio Baptista coming on instead. It was claimed afterwards that the striker simply hadn't got ready quickly enough after being asked to come on, but the suspicion is that a month into the season his fitness remains the issue. The Emperor had gone for a simple warm-up but returned looking thoroughly cooked.

But after securing Roma's first win of the season, such problems will suddenly seem a lot more manageable to Ranieri, just as Benítez's will feel more significant after Inter's first domestic defeat. Milan's high-profile transfer dealings during the final days of August did the Spaniard some favours in his early spell as Inter manager, ensuring the media spotlight was almost always on the club's neighbours, as he opened with a draw against Bologna and an unconvincing win over Udinese. It didn't hurt that Roma, Juventus and Milan (one 4-0 win over Lecce aside) had also started slowly.

A month into the season, though, the first judgments are being made, and while they have started better than their rivals Inter are not making anyone forget Mourinho. That is not all Benítez's fault of course – with almost no significant summer additions, the manager is left in an unenviable position where he must either stick with his predecessor's tactics and risk not executing them as well, or tear them up and risk accusations of destroying a treble-winning side.

Nevertheless, it feels as though all the progress he has made so far has been a case of upgrading one area at the cost of others. Samuel Eto'o is enjoying the most productive period of his Inter career, having scored six goals in his last five games, but only because he has been allowed to relinquish defensive duties. That might have gone down well with the Cameroon striker but it certainly wasn't popular on Saturday with the left-back Cristian Chivu, who turned to his manager at one point during the first half and bellowed "If [the forwards] won't run, I'm leaving".

Milito, too, has felt marginalised, with his agent demanding to know earlier this month why it is that his client is always the one to be substituted. In fairness to Benítez, the Argentina forward has looked below his best since returning from the World Cup, but sooner or later the manager must take responsibility for the performances of a player who showed himself more than capable of scoring goals for this team last year.

But this is still a first defeat, nothing more, and Inter hardly need panic – especially as they remain joint-top of the table. Besides, Benítez had a simpler explanation for the setback. "We had 15 shots on target away from home and we didn't score a goal," he explained at full-time. "That was the only problem." Well, that and the fact that his first name isn't José.

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

Not to mention Stankovic got the arm band for the match against Bari ahead of Cambiasso.

[Carlo Romano]

[Lombardiamia]

[Carlo Romano]

Lomba, I have to again say, I like this guy Benitez as a man both in behaviour and personality.

I know what you are getting at in thinking he lacks Mou's killer instinct and you are probably right. But to me Rafa is human and far more Italian like in nature than Mourinho could ever be. You will still win the campionato but I don't think you'll get another "corona tripletta."

[maro]

Moaninho didn't think you'd get another treble either - no doubt that's a large part of why he left. He doesn't have the balls to stick with things and build something properly long-lasting.

[Messinterista]

Cambiasso: 'It remains between us'

Esteban Cambiasso admits there was something of a fiery debate in the Inter locker room. “We cleared the air and it remains between us.”
There was controversy after Inter’s 1-0 defeat at Roma, as Cristian Chivu was spotted arguing with the members of the bench and his teammates over the lack of coverage he was receiving down that left flank from Samuel Eto'o.

There was also speculation in the newspapers about a ‘crisis’ in the Nerazzurri side.

“The things that happen in the locker room should never come out,” Cambiasso told the Corriere dello Sport.

“We talked, as we always do, confirming our desire to win, but without forgetting we are top of the table and won the Italian Super Cup already. The others have not done that.

“There are problems in all the teams and we are not worried. This side has a great mentality and when people take it out on the pitch, it’s better than having a passive attitude to defeat.

“Systems are important, but what really counts are individuals. For example, last season we started with the diamond midfield and finished with a 4-2-3-1.”

Inter now look for their first Champions League win of the campaign by welcoming Werder Bremen tomorrow evening.

“They are a strong side with great character, proving it with their qualification when they seemed to be out of the play-off against Sampdoria.

“They also have impressive attacking potential that we cannot underestimate.

“As for our own relative lack of goals recently, it can happen to make a few mistakes in the box, but the important thing is to create chances.

“Against Palermo and Bari, we created and won, whereas our opportunities at Roma didn’t come to fruition.”

Source: http://football-italia.net/sep28v.html
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I don't like reading stuff about in fighting. As Cambiasso said, this stuff should stay behind closed doors.

We definitely need the win over Bremen tomorrow as we have two tough matches after this one against Tottenham and depending on the outcomes of those we could be looking at fighting for the Europa League.
I'm not worried about the Serie A as I know we can claim the title yet again this season but the Champions league is a different story. We are going to have to fight our way out of this group of death.

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

He left Chelski because Abramovic wanted more than just a side which could grind out results. For the first couple of years, after such a long period of drought, results were enough but when Moaninho couldn't develop an attacking, attractive style of play Abramovic gave him the boot. I doubt he regrets it the way Ancelotti has the side playing at the moment, just as I'm sure no Interisti will hold Moaninho's side's style of play against him when it brought you the treble last season. Honestly, though, I think he uses the smokescreen of 'ambition' to cover up what is basically cowardice: which would have been the harder task this season, matching up to last year's success at Inter and building on it or going to Madrid, with loads of cash and another stacked squad, and getting them to succeed? I know which one I think would have required more serious guts and ambition and it's also the one I knew Moaninho wouldn't pursue. Great coaches build dynasties legacies. Moaninho has never had the guts to stick around long enough to get close to doing that. It's just a pity there aren't more people in the media who are prepared to call him out for his lack of balls.

[Lombardiamia]

[zafferano]

Good effort from the kids today
i do like Biabiani ,speed ,attach ,defend should play more often,
after Eto show tonight milito will have a hard time to back
in that position

[Carlo Romano]

I like this lad Coutinho you have.

It's no surprise the Rai commentators were likening him to Pato, earlier this evening. He was visibly cursing himself for not scoring but as he matures, so will his abilities grow.

Thanks to Inter, an Italian team has again beaten a German one. This coefficient thing may be a pain in the ass to mention but we don't want to come down to three teams in the CL!

[Messinterista]

[Lombardiamia]

M_I, Julio Cesar was subbed as a precaution, since he felt aome pain in his leg. Shouldnt be worrying though. According to Rafa, Lucio's injury seems less than what was originally feared but we'll see if he's fit for sunday.
Back to the actual match, it certainly was a pleasure to the eye. Especially seeing us dominate with those kids up there. But how much credit should go to our players and how much goes for Werder's Gung ho setup? I've never expected a German side to be so fragile in defence.. Anyway, Milito will find it hard to move Eto'o from that position, but what other position can he occupy?? Eto'o s versatility seems to be his own main problem... Oh and it was also nice to see the guys press the opposition that high up the pitch. It certainly is a Rafa scheme, even back at L'pool. Certainly Mascherano was an excellent idea in there for that purpose..

[maro]

Eto'o and Benitez are over-rated.

[Messinterista]

Lomba, regarding Mascherano I feel that there is a high chance he will be an Inter player next season. Barcelona will do something like they did with Ibra. Splashed the cash, realised he didn't suit them and sell him for half the price. By that time Barca will probably have their eye on Cesc yet again.
Regarding Werder that too suprised me. We are so used to seeing German sides dominate in all areas on the park but their display last night was something out of the ordinary. Let's hope they even fail to qualify for the Europa league

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Eto is in some form at the moment, though. If he keeps it up he may a dream move to Roma before long.

[Totally FRANK]

I think playing Coutinho and Biabiany worked well also because of the reason that they are two very different players. Biabiany likes to play on the shoulder of the full back and wants to make runs behind him while Coutinho wants to take the opposition on with his dribbling skills and beat them one on one. With those two switching positions quite often like they did against Werder they can be quite a handful for the defenders. Another good aspect about Biabiany was that he brings a lot of width to our game and this means more room for Sneijder to roam and possibly for Stankovic to move forward when he wants to.

Sneijder probably had he best game under Benitez. The two youngsters beside him always looked up to him and passed the ball to him whenever possible.