Tim Cup: Reggina 1-4 Inter
Wednesday, 19 December 2007 22:32:07


REGGIO CALABRIA - Inter's road to a fourth consecutive Tim Cup final began with a 4-1 victory over Reggina at the Stadio Granillo.

Hernan Crespo opened the scoring early on, with Mario Balotelli adding a second on the half hour.

Leonardo Pettinari halved Inter's lead shortly after half time, but Santiago Solari capped a fine performance to restore the two-goal advantage.

Balotelli completed the rout in the closing stages with his second of the game to make it a full debut to remember.

Roberto Mancini fielded a mixture of experience and youth in Reggio Calabria, handing starting debuts to Inter Primavera pair Fatic and Balotelli in a 4-4-2 formation that included Rivas and Pelé, and bringing on Puccio, Maaroufi and Napoli in the second half.

Inter were a goal to the good after 14 minutes, Hernan Crespo stealing in to head home Solari's perfectly executed right-wing corner.

Samuel, Solari and Pelé had chances from distance as the Nerazzurri imposed their superiority.

Primavera superstar Balotelli doubled the lead on 30 minutes, pouncing on the loose ball to tuck home Inter's 50th goal of the season after Novakovic parried Samuel's header from Solari's cross.

Paolo Orlandoni produced a reflex save from Pettinari as the hosts looked for a way back, but it was Inter who went closer before the break.

Crespo fired narrowly over from Cesar's left-wing centre, and Pelé tested Novakovic with a sweetly struck volley from a tight angle.

Reggina reduced the arrears five minutes after the restart when Pettinari found the net after Orlandoni failed to hold Montiel's long-range effort.

The Amaranto's optimism was short-lived as Solari converted a right-wing cross from his compatriot Burdisso to restore Inter's two-goal advantage.

Balotelli added insult to injury four minutes from time, capitalising on a defensive lapse and rounding Novakovic before sliding home.

Reggina 1-4 Inter (HT: 0-2)


http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=28235&L=en

Crespo: "Good performance"
Wednesday, 19 December 2007 23:01:02


REGGIO CALABRIA - Hernan Crespo is pleased with Inter's performance in their emphatic Tim Cup victory over Reggina.

"The most important thing is that Inter played a good game," he said. "It was an important chance for lots of the youngsters to play tonight, like Mario Balotelli who did really well and scored two goals. Everyone did well.

"The Tim Cup is very important for the squad, and having reached three consecutive finals is proof of this. It's a chance for those who play less to show themselves and gain match fitness.

"It's motivating for those who have played less."

On his own performance, the Argentine forward commented: "It's my third match in a week after a period of inactivity, partly due to a few injuries, and partly due to the remarkable form of my team-mates in attack."


http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=28236&L=en

Mancini glad to face Liverpool
Friday 21 December, 2007

Roberto Mancini insists he is happy to have drawn Liverpool in the Champions League. "It's the weaker sides on paper who are more dangerous."

Inter were paired with the 2005 winners and 2007 Finalists for the first knockout round and will face off at Anfield Road on Tuesday February 19 before the San Siro decider on March 12.

"It is a good draw," assured Mancio. "There are no weak sides in the competition now and history teaches us that when you pick those who are weaker on paper, they are the ones where you most risk tripping up.

"It is better to take on the strongest of the lot, as if you want to lift the trophy then you have to beat them all. I think this will be a battle of two great teams."

Liverpool have only met Inter once before, in the 1964-65 semi-final. The Italians lost 3-1 away, but won the second leg 3-0 and went on to lift the European Cup.

"Liverpool are a strong side, very solid with great players. They have the English mentality, but also the tactical nous of a Coach who studies and prepares for games very carefully," added Mancini.

"They are very good on home turf and have eliminated Chelsea twice as well as Juventus in recent years."

Moratti hopes for Liverpool repeat
Saturday 22 December, 2007

Massimo Moratti hopes Inter's meeting with Liverpool can have the same effect it did in 1965 - sending them on to European Cup glory.

"Liverpool bring back many happy memories," smiled the President of the 4-3 aggregate semi-final victory - the only time these two clubs have crossed paths.

"It is an interesting challenge because it is traditional. It will be a very difficult game and we know it is a large obstacle to overcome, but in the Champions League that is always the case."

The Nerazzurri had lost 3-1 in England, but overturned the result with a 3-0 home victory in 1965, going on to lift their second consecutive trophy.

"This time I hope the team does well in both Liverpool and Milan," continued Moratti.

The Reds have had mixed results against Italian clubs in recent years, beating Milan for the 2005 Final only to lose 2-1 in May.

"Everybody was expecting a difficult draw and Inter Milan are one of the top sides," said Coach Rafa Benitez.

"They have good players and experience in Europe. It is very difficult but we know the team and we have confidence in ourselves.

"All the teams are difficult to beat but we have some experience of this. Hopefully we will see another of those performances in the knockout stages."

Liverpool did not win any of their opening three group games, but rallied to squeeze through in second place.

"I think they will be worried, for sure. They know we are a good team and anything can happen in two months' time."

Moratti explains Adri loan
Thursday 20 December, 2007

Massimo Moratti has given the latest on enigmatic striker Adriano's loan deal with Sao Paulo.

The Brazilian marksman is back in his homeland to receive treatment for depression and had been scheduled to return to Italy in January.

However, it now seems that Adriano is set to play for Sao Paulo until June after a loan agreement was announced.

"There is still some work to be done on the deal, but both sides are happy," Moratti explained.

"It's the right decision for his good. I'm convinced that at the start of next season he will return to being a great player.

"He is happy on home soil, he's working well and getting help physically and psychologically. He's improving with every day."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec20m.html

yup, and i think inter more tough than milan,
why?
they not lose for 16 games till now,lead the seria a

Mancini: "Derbies difficult, but fascinating"
Saturday, 22 December 2007 16:19:20
[FOTO Saturday, 22 December 2007 16:19:20]

APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini briefed the press ahead of Sunday's Serie A Week 17 match between Inter and AC Milan:

Mancini, what could be decisive for Inter in this derby?
"I wouldn't know. I hope the team plays a good game and continues playing like it is at the moment. The derby, however, is a singular game between two great teams, so it will be a great show. Both us and Milan have players who can be decisive, but it's a bit hard to say now what will make the difference."

Are you worried about the match against Milan?
"No, I'm not worried. It's a football match... There's the same respect as in any important game, but I think it should always be like this."

Have you already decided your team?
"It's almost all decided."

Could you use Luis Jimenez in a position to prevent Pirlo from having more freedom of play?
"Certainly. They might find it a bit harder if Pirlo plays a bit less. But I don't think everything can be resolved in that way."

Are you likely to play three strikers tomorrow?
"Looking at our injury situation, this could be an option, but it depends on how the three strikers approach the game because you always need balance in the team. However, it is certainly an option."

Will there be more pressure because it's the Italian champions against the world champions?
"No, I don't think so. The derby is important because it's between two of the best teams in the world. Also, it's on 23rd December so it's different from the others. Whatever the result, it will be a nice match to play in."

Marco Materazzi, perhaps warding off ill-luck, said that Milan are favourites because they have just won the Club World Cup. Do you agree?
"I don't know. We're on top of the table. It's us who have more to lose."

What are your feelings ahead of this derby?
"I'm very happy to be coach of Inter and very happy to play this game. These are the best games, those between two great teams with great players. This is the best thing. You always feel certain feelings when you play a match like this, even more so when it's the derby."

Is there any rivalry between yourself and Carlo Ancelotti? You said that Inter have drawn the hardest team in the Champions League while the Milan coach says Arsenal are stronger...
"No, absolutely not. It's normal for there to be rivalry between the two teams, it's one of the nice things about football. Like us, Arsenal and Liverpool are two great teams who are difficult to play against."

Is the derby a match in which it would be hard to apply the third half?
"They have already decided to start it in January, but it could be done after tomorrow's match because it's Christmas and everyone is nicer at Christmas."

Will tomorrow's derby be approached like a normal game, or the match of a lifetime?
"It's the derby, it's not a normal game. City derbies can never be normal. Having increased our lead in the table last Sunday will allow us to play the derby in a more relaxed frame of mind. There might be a bit of pressure, but this is all quite normal."

Do you think being coach of Italian champions Inter puts you among the top European coaches?
"I don't think there's a table that decides who are among the great European coaches. I think all the coaches of the great teams are great coaches, otherwise they wouldn't be able to coach them. There are many difficulties when you coach such strong teams. You're always obliged to win and there's great pressure working with very strong and important players. I do my job because I like it and I believe I'm quite good at it, but then maybe there are others who are ten years older than me and might be better because they have more experience. But I think it's impossible to say that one is better than another."

But do you feel you are among the coaching elite?
"In this respect I think that being coach of Inter is important."

Mancini names squad for Inter v AC Milan
Saturday, 22 December 2007 15:28:21


APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has called up 20 players to his squad for Sunday afternoon's Milan derby (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, kick-off 15:00):

Goalkeepers: 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel, 26 Cristian Chivu.

Midfielders: 11 Luis Jimenez, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=28260&L=en&IDINI=28263

inter won the derby match,
goal scored by julio cruz and cambiasso..
final score 2-1
materazzi do a good job, defense solid,

This post has been edited by scorps: Dec 24 2007, 12:03 AM

Serie A Week 17 - 23/12/07 (14.00 UK)

Inter 2 - 1 Milan
Pirlo 18 (M), Cruz 36 (I), Cambiasso 63 (I)
Stadio Meazza

Inter secured the Winter Champions title two rounds early after fighting back to beat Milan 2-1.

The champions of Italy took on the newly-crowned Club World Cup kings in one of the biggest Derby della Madonnina games ever. Milan's Serie A form had been disastrous without a single win and it was their first domestic game since a 0-0 with Juventus on December 1, as they had been in Japan to prepare for that tournament. Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year Kaka faced off against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Dejan Stankovic, Olivier Dacourt, Luis Figo, Patrick Vieira and Ronaldo were out injured.

With Inter as the home side, this fixture last ended in a draw with a 2-2 result in 1999. There was fair play before kick-off with the Inter squad standing by the entrance to applaud 'visitors' Milan as they walked on to the field.

Ibrahimovic had the first chance after four minutes with a sensational volley that skimmed the crossbar. At the other end Pippo Inzaghi just failed to get his toe to a Clarence Seedorf searching pass.

It was Milan who opened the scoring with an ex-Inter player. Inzaghi was brought down by Ivan Cordoba inside the D and Andrea Pirlo curled a perfect free kick into the near top corner, leaving Julio Cesar rooted to the spot.

Inter fought back immediately as Nelson Dida only touched a Julio Cruz cross into the path of Luis Jimenez, the Chilean thumping the crossbar.

Dida smothered a Cristian Chivu free kick and Kaka went on a mazy run that drove rings around Walter Samuel, but the defender suffered a knee injury in that move and was stretchered off.

Inter drew level with Il Jardinero's 10th goal in 13 Serie A games. Cruz managed to squeeze his left-foot shot in at the near post despite being surrounded by Milan defenders.

The Nerazzurri had penalty appeals for a Kakha Kaladze handling offence that the officials considered to be involuntary, but Milan were furious with the referee when he did not give the advantage as Kaka shook off a Marco Materazzi foul.

Javier Zanetti flashed a right-foot shot across the face of goal. After the restart Alberto Gilardino and Emerson replaced Inzaghi and the fiery Gattuso, who had been an injury doubt for this game. Kaladze had to time his tackle perfectly to block Ibra's counter, while Chivu did the same on Gilardino.

The Rossoneri wasted a golden counter-attack chance, as Pirlo's dummy failed to reach Seedorf, the Italian should have gone for goal on Kaka's assist.

Esteban Cambiasso volleyed wide and Milan made their third change, Serginho replacing Seedorf, and within seconds he had created two dangerous opportunities.


This post has been edited by scorps: Dec 24 2007, 12:22 AM

Mancini: We deserved it [
Sunday 23 December, 2007

Roberto Mancini believes the derby victory was deserved and hailed his Winter Champions.

"We only struggled a little in the final stages of the second half, but controlled the game and deservedly won," he said of Inter's 2-1 result over neighbours Milan.

"In the first half they did very little to take the lead, as Andrea Pirlo made the difference with that free kick."

The Nerazzurri fought back with Julio Cruz and Esteban Cambiasso to turn the match in their favour.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not be 100 per cent fit, but when he has the ball he is always fearsome. Cambiasso is in good shape physically and in an exceptional period of form.

"In these opening five months of the season you could safely say everyone in the team has been great and contributed to our success."

This is the 15th time Inter have been crowned Winter Champions and in the previous 14 occasions they have always gone on to take the Scudetto.

They achieved it despite the absence of Dejan Stankovic, Olivier Dacourt, Patrick Vieira and Luis Figo, while Walter Samuel was stretchered off.

"We think Samuel has sprained his knee, but we hope it is nothing too serious," added Mancini.

The Coach also explained why the 'home' team stood outside the players' tunnel before kick-off to applaud the Milan squad as they walked on to the pitch.

"It was not forced upon us, it came naturally. I thought it was the right thing to do."

The rapport between the clubs has been increasingly tense and Mancio was accused of trying to belittle Milan's Club World Cup triumph last week, so this was an important gesture to bridge that gap.

some pics from last night ..
anyway congrate to inter.

but metarazzi last night do a good job,
always block kaka,the header was good,

Cambiasso: "Great end to a great year"
Sunday, 23 December 2007 19:18:03

MILAN - Esteban Cambiasso added to Julio Cruz' equaliser to seal a 2-1 derby win for Inter.

"It was an important victory for all our fans," he said. "It was nice to finish off a great year in the best possible way.

"My goal? I hit the ball as hard as I could. It went in and I'm very happy because so many fans rejoiced.

"I'm dedicating the goal to my wife and family because they always follow me with affection.

"Today's result doesn't change the value of the two teams. We did very well today and now we will enjoy this victory before we start again in January.

"The Milanese can be pleased because they have two of the strongest teams in the world."

Season over for Samuel
Sunday 23 December, 2007

Inter cannot celebrate the derby too much, as Walter Samuel has been diagnosed with a torn knee ligament and could be out for the season.

The defender was stretchered off in obvious pain during today's 2-1 victory over Milan after he slipped in the penalty area.

Originally it was hoped he had only sprained his left knee, but tests have now shown a lesion to the anterior cruciate ligament.

The Argentine will require surgery to correct the problem and it is highly unlikely he will recover in time to play again this term.

It is another heavy blow for Inter, who must already do without Olivier Dacourt for the campaign and could lose Dejan Stankovic for three months if he too requires surgery on a recurring heel injury.

Luis Figo and Patrick Vieira hope to be back in action soon after long-term lay-offs.

Ibra: Inter are the best
Monday 24 December, 2007

Milan may officially be European and world champions, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists they're not even the best team in their own city.

The Rossoneri returned to Serie A action on Sunday just a week after beating Boca Juniors for the Club World Cup in Japan, but immediately fell to a 2-1 defeat against San Siro rivals Inter.

"Milan started the game well and more brightly than ourselves," noted the Nerazzurri striker. "But we then improved to illustrate that we are a better team than they are.

"We have really been excellent over the last six months and we must mirror that in the second half of the season and in the Champions League."

Ibrahimovic has been Inter's key man so far this term, but the inspirational Swede failed to get on to the scoresheet against the Diavolo.

"I didn't score, but Julio Cruz and Esteban Cambiasso put the ball in the back of the net," added the former Juventus player.

"In all honesty, it doesn't matter if I score for Inter or not. The most important thing is for the side to keep winning."

Marco Materazzi was also understandably pleased with the victory and was happy to be involved after he was thrown on following the injury to Walter Samuel.

"To win a derby is something delightful," added the man who scored for Italy in the 2006 World Cup Final.

"I liked the hunger and desire with which the side played, especially when we were defending the result against an attacking Milan.

"It was a great Christmas present for not only the fans, but for the players too.


This post has been edited by scorps: Dec 24 2007, 08:06 PM

Inter eye Madrid duo
Sunday 30 December, 2007

Inter are looking to strengthen their squad by signing two Madrid-based midfielders in the January transfer window.

Atletico's Maniche and Mahamadou Diarra of Real are the men in question and both players would seemingly be interested in a move to San Siro.

The Milanesi have been missing several regulars recently, with Patrick Vieira, Luis Figo, Olivier Dacourt and Dejan Stankovic all out injured.

Maniche is currently out of favour at Atletico Madrid after reportedly feigning injury in order to miss out on Copa Del Rey duty.

The Spanish giants are asking for £5m and Inter sporting director Marco Branca could match their request.

Meanwhile, Mali ace Diarra would cost Inter a lot more seeing as he's regarded as one of the top defensive midfielders in Spain.

Coach Bernd Schuster is apparently convinced Real Madrid don't need him and has set a £12m asking price for the former Lyon man.

That shouldn't prove too big a stumbling block, seeing as President Massimo Moratti [pictured] has already announced that Inter will add to their squad in January.

"I wasn't planning to spend money, but after the injury to Walter Samuel things have changed," said Moratti.

"We are looking for an intelligent capture. It will have to be convenient from all point of views, both economically and technically."