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SerieA: Inter 0-3 Bologna, Another embarrassing defeat for ‘il Biscione’
Coming in to this game against Bologna at the Giuseppe Meazza there was, despite recent form, a confidence that we could turn things around and gain a fairly easy three points. After all the Bolognese team aren’t having the best of seasons themselves and having not played a game for two weeks (their last two games were postponed due to bad weather) were likely to be a bit rusty, this was a must win the situation for Inter and all the odds were in their favor.
This wasn’t to be though as Claudio Ranieri yet again ‘tinkered’ with his tactics and this time fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, which like last week’s 4-3-2-1 I am a big fan of. These tactics themselves aren’t the problem as in both games Inter held on to a vast majority of the possession throughout the 90 minutes, the problems on the pitch are coming from all the constant changes that Ranieri is making. He needs to stick with a formation, quickly find his optimal starting eleven and only make substitutions during the game when they are desperately needed not just when the whim takes him. These substitutions also need to show a lot more understanding of what’s happening on the pitch as he never seems to make the changes that are so obvious to the rest of us.
Like this:
SerieA: Siena 0-1 Inter, Castaignos goal brings home the points
Week 13 of the 2011/12 Serie A season saw Inter return to the Stadio Artemio Franchi where in 2010 they were crowned Scudetto champions in their treble winning year, how things have changed, as this season’s fixture has Inter desperate for wins in an attempt to climb the table after the worst campaign start ever.
For almost 90 minutes this game had bore draw written all over it and to be fair that was the result the plucky Siena deserved as they played well and did everything possible to ensure the Inter players couldn’t get too many chances on goal. I’m not saying Inter were terrible, we kept control of the game for the majority of the 90 minutes but in my opinion there just seemed to be something missing that would bring a bit of excitement to the game, maybe this was down to the lack of atmosphere in the stadium that you get in the Meazza but I feel it had more to do with the mediocre display shown by the majority of the Nerazzurri players. This of course wasn’t helped by some extremely disappointing decisions made by the Inter boss concerning substitutions (which I’ll go in to shortly.)
SerieA: Inter 1-2 Juventus, The misery continues for the Nerazzurri
The derby d’Italia definitely didn’t go to plan for Inter on Saturday as Juve took three points from the game and moved two points clear of AC Milan at the top of the table while our beloved Inter stays stuck firmly in the pits of despair down the other end of the table with a measly eight points from nine games, which in itself is unthinkable for the mighty Nerazzurri.
FIRST HALF –
Ranieri started the match with the same formation that we have used for several weeks now with Lucio and Chivu in the central defence, Maicon and Nagatomo as fullbacks (though as always they played the match as wingbacks), Obi replaced Motta in the three man midfield along side Cambiasso and Zanetti and Sneijder supporting Zarate and Pazzini up front.
Inter made a great start playing good aggressive attacking football and our first chance came after just three minutes with Pazzini trying to catch Buffon unawares by backheeling Maicon’s shot towards the near post but Buffon was alert to the danger and stopped it. Minutes later Inter should have been one up as Maicon knocked the ball down for Cambiasso who seemed to rush his shot a little resulting in the ball missing the target by inches.
But the 12th minute saw Juve break the deadlock as Lichtsteiner sent in a low cross to Matri who was denied by a great save from Castellazzi but unfortunately the rebound fell for Vucinic on the edge of the area and he buried his shot into the back of the net while the Nerazzurri defenders stood shell-shocked and unable to do anything about it.
SerieA: Inter 1-0 Chievo, Motta goal secures another three points
Mid afternoon on Sunday 23rd October saw week eight of Inter’s Serie A campaign and Ranieri sent the same team out on to the pitch at the Meazza that won earlier in the week in the Champions league game against Lille, having the same effect by securing another 1-0 result for the Nerazzurri.
Again there were many good signs that Inter are getting back on track with Ranieri again using the 4-3-1-2 formation that works so well for our squad. Ahead of Julio Cesar in goal he had Lucio and Chivu in the central defensive positions with the Romanian again covering for the injured Samuel. Maicon and Nagatomo playing on either side of them and using their skills as wingbacks to surge forward to add an extra dimension to the attack, while the defensive midfield three of Zanetti, Cambiasso and Motta covered the defensive line and also supported the attack which consisted of Sneijder in the hole behind Pazzini and Zarate. This is proving to be a useful set up for us and i’ll be interested to see how it will work when the injured pair of Poli and Forlan return to probably replace Motta and Zarate in this line up.
Serie A: Novara 3-1 Inter, Minnows embarrass the mighty Inter
First of all I would like to congratulate Novara on their win, they by far deserved it more than Inter. As for the Nerazzurri, they were shocking, for the majority of the match Novara was running rings around them making the World Champions look like a Serie C side. On the bright side for us Interisti there is no way that Moratti can ignore the fans shouts for Gasperini to be given the boot. Instead of them improving and getting the 3+ goal win that everyone expected they again looked disorganised and lost on the pitch which handed Novara the best possible home start as they return to the Serie A after 55 years away from the top flight, as for Inter they now sit at the lowest position in the league that I can ever remember.
If us Interisti had our way Gasperini would be dragged all the way back to Milano where he would be crucified then hung from the rafters of the Guiseppe Meazza as a warning to future coaches, but after the game Massimo Moratti seemed to be staying fairly calm despite his obvious anger as he was quoted as saying “Gasperini didn’t have control of the match? It really seems to me that he didn’t, but let’s sleep on it,” which I believe can be roughly translated as “Don’t worry by this time tomorrow he’ll be long gone!”
Mercato review: Inter’s crazy summer 2011
So that’s it the transfer window for 2011 and what a summer it has been, unlike last season there has been a lot of movement in and out of Inter. It all started with rumours of Sneijder going to Manchester United for a record transfer fee of €35+ million and the equally amazing rumour that want away Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez was linked with a move to the Nerazzurri. Then the club was thrown in to chaos as the then manager Leonardo was 1st linked with a directors job at PSG which he denied at first and then shortly afterward took it leaving Moratti without a coach, from that point on rumours started flying about possible replacements including Jose Mourinho’s protegé Andres Villas Boas but eventually after being turned down by a hand full of world class coaches Moratti decided on what was the best of the rest Gian Piero Gasperini and so Inter’s transfer window resumed, though another cloud was hovering over Inter, our huge debt and the need to resolve it in time for the FFP’s and so the massive spending of old that Moratti was famous for had to be held in check. That doesn’t mean we haven’t brought in some fantastic players though, while offloading others that weren’t part of the future plan for us or could bring in a healthy profit to help us financially…..
Inter 6-1 Trentino. The new Nerazzurri show class
Inter’s first pre season friendly went with a bang as Gasperini’s flexed their muscles in a 6-1 win over local side Trentino this afternoon with usual suspects Pazzini & Eto’o scoring the first two goals in the 1st half. Trentino managed to claw one back with a high curling shot over Castellazzi. New boy Alvarez slotted home the 3rd and narrowly missed a wonderful long range effort from outside the box, Pandev gave Inter their 4th showing that despite being fairly slow & clumsy he can still put them away. The final two goals came from youngsters Castaignos & Longo. I have to admit I didn’t see the match as I was working but from what I’ve seen on YouTube Ricky & Luc both are showing that they are fantastic purchases for the Nerazzurri as well as the established players showing that the ‘Grande Inter’ is still is alive & kicking. I realise that we were only playing a small fry local team but the squad seems to be connecting very well & for me this upcoming season is looking very promising.
Inter presents new boys Castaignos & Alvarez, then Branca talks Transfers
This morning saw the forth training session at the Pinzolo pre season camp, after warm up exercises & tactical practice Gasperini allowed fans in to watch the second part of the session, which was concerned with physical & athletic training. Following the session Eto’o kept a promise made to a fan & stayed for half a hour to sign autographs & have his photo taken. Then this afternoon Inter’s new signings were presented to the assembled media.
First to be presented was Luc Castaignos, accompanied By Marco Branca & vice managing director Stefano Filucchi who was there on behalf of Massimo Moratti. Luc opened his presentation by saying “I’m really happy to be here at Inter,” He then event on to describe his characteristics “I’m a pacy forward and good at scoring goals. When the midfielders are on the ball I know which position I have to be in and when I should start my run.”
He also spoke about which players are inspirational to him “My number one idol is Eto’o. Which of my team-mates has impressed me the most? They are all fantastic players but I’ve been really impressed by Sneijder. He’s got so much quality, he’s good with both feet and he has this incredible way of playing football. I can learn a lot from these players. Now is the time to put myself to the test, in what I think is the best club in the world.”
Castaignos has chosen to wear the number 30 shirt for one simple reason “because I had that at Feyenoord and it gives me confidence.” I think Luc has got a bright future ahead of him at Inter, he may not get many starts this season but I believe the man they are calling the new ‘Thierry Henry’ will become one of them outstanding Inter strikers just check his stats HERE
Next came the player I’m very excited about seeing play in an Inter shirt, Ricardo Alvarez “Playing for the best club in the world is a marvellous feeling for me.”
Alvarez gained the nick name ‘Ricky Maravilla’ from his very first coach in Argentina “I began playing and the nick-name was given to me by that coach every game I played.” He was then questioned about the comments recently made by our captain Javier Zanetti who compared him to Kaka “I’m grateful to Zanetti,” said Alvarez, “for the compliments he made and for the comparison with such a great player, but I’m coming here with my very own style of play and I’ll try to be myself.”
“Having various Argentinian team-mates,” he went on, “is a great help. Samuel, for example, at the moment is helping me a lot, since none of the others are here yet, as are Colombians Cordoba and Rivas and the rest of the squad have rallied round, too. I’ve really enjoyed these first few days, I’m settling in and we’re already working hard in order to win as many trophies as possible; I am really happy. I have chosen Inter, the best club in the world. Were Arsenal interested in me? Yes, that’s true, but I’ll say it again, Inter are the best team in the world.”
Ricky like his father has been an Interista since he was a child which is exactly what we need from a fantastic player like Alvarez as we know he will give his all to help the club just like the great Zanetti. “My father made me a present of an Inter scarf and I still have it.”He explains to the press.
So what type of player is Alvarez? “I’m a midfielder,” said Ricky, “but I feel at ease playing further up front too. Of course where I play is up to the coach, we haven’t spoken about it yet.”
The assembled press were quick to pick up on his shyness during the interview, He just smiled and said: “Ok I’m shy, that’s true, but that’s here and now in front of TV cameras, not on the pitch where I grew up and where I feel at ease.”
In my opinion Inter have struck gold by signing Alvarez & I can see him being an important player for us for years to come, to see what he did before signing for the Nerazzurri then click HERE
Once the presentations were over Inter’s technical director Marco Branca fielded questions from the press regarding transfers & rumours.
Can you give us an update on Wesley Sneijder’s situation?
“I don’t think there’s anything to be updated. This is a topic that I think you journalists are very keen on and it’s not the least bit surprising that Sneijder might attract interest from other clubs, some of the biggest clubs in the world including ourselves, so there’s no update to give.”
But there have been some bids made for the player…
“No, there haven’t been any concrete offers and we haven’t been waiting for any. He’s just getting on with his job, as we all are. We have to get through this period, these last 50 days: we know what we have to do, and that’s what the situation is.”
So you are saying that Sneijder is not for sale?
“That’s right, he is not for sale.”
Are you surprised to see that Maicon isn’t in the Brazil team at the moment?
“No… he’s having a rest. He’s played so much in recent years and at such a high level that even if he sits out for a few games, I think that can only do him some good, but I don’t think he’ll be resting for much longer because it’s very difficult to leave out a player as good as he is.”
Is Palacio an Inter target?
“We’re considering him.”
Mirko Vucinic?
“No.”
Is it true that Pandev has rejected the chance to go to Genoa as part of a swap deal?
“No, he hasn’t said no simply because we have never asked him.”
So that move was never in the pipeline?
“I have never asked him if he wanted to move elsewhere, and I certainly haven’t named any clubs to him. I don’t ask my players anything unless there is something concrete.”
When will Jonathan join up with the team?
“We’re working on the last few details this afternoon and if everything gets sorted out this evening – because with the time difference there are always a few hitches with getting signatures and sending documents via fax – then he may come up here [to Pinzolo] late tonight or tomorrow.”
Of the players such as Banega, Casemiro and the other names being bandied around for the midfield, who are Inter really interested in?
“Those are names that you have come up with, they are good players, young players, and we’ve taken note, but for the moment we haven’t decided everything.”
Is Samuel Eto’o also to be considered not for sale at any price?
“Yes.”
Gian Piero Gasperini said that Inter already have a full squad and that when the South Americans return from the Copa America there will be two players for each position. If we consider that Muntari and Mariga are leaving, you’re still a midfielder short, or are we wrong?
“In most cases you are wrong [smiling], but in this case you have confirmed the basic principle: we have a lot of midfielders. Alvarez is another one and our coach is probably planning on using two or three of them so if you do the maths we’re sorted as we are. We can’t complain because we’re happy with all the players we’ve got, and we don’t have to sell anyone.”
What can you tell us about Lucio?
“We’ve been having talks with Lucio for the last three or four months; both sides are cooperating and showing the respect that a big club and a great player should show each other. We do see things differently: I spoke to his agent two days ago and we’ll speak again in two days’ time, but I think everything will sort itself out after the Copa America when we meet face to face.”
Are we wrong when we say that you have to sell somebody to keep within the financial fair play regulations?
“No, you’re absolutely right.”
No, because when we keep hearing that everyone is not for sale it seems like we’re playing a game…
“You have your game to play and I have mine.”
It was to find out whether somebody might have to be sold.
“I think they will. What I was trying to say is that we don’t have to sell necessarily, we aren’t forced to do anything, because if it’s not now, it will be in 50 days’ time, and if it’s not in 50 days’ time it will be in 5 months’ time.”
Are there any meetings planned with Sneijder’s agent?
“No, there’s nothing planned.”
What can you tell us about Emiliano Viviano?
“We’ll sit down and decide with him what the best solution is, something that is both good for our club and that satisfies his desire for first-team football.”
Does the same thing go for Davide Santon?
“Yes, it’s the same for Santon.”
Have you received any offers for them?
“There are some clubs showing an interest but before we get to any concrete offers I think we’ll all just have to be a little bit patient.”
Vidal?
“He’s not in our plans.”
Since Gasperini doesn’t play with a man in the hole behind the strikers, won’t it be a bit difficult to fit Sneijder into the team?
“Gasperini has never said that, on the contrary he has always said that the thing he likes most about this team is its ability to fit into different formations, both from game to game and during the same match.”
Luc Castaignos – Inter’s newest striker
