Cruz extends Inter stay
Friday, 07 September 2007 15:38:05

MILAN - Julio Cruz has extended his current deal with F.C. Internazionale until 30 June 2009. The Argentine forward signed his contract extension at Palazzo Durini this morning in the presence of the club's vice president Rinaldo Ghelfi. The documents have been registered at the Italian Football League's offices.

Cruz: "Very happy with contract extension"
Friday, 07 September 2007 17:23:51

APPIANO GENTILE - Julio Ricardo Cruz has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Inter until 30 June 2009.

"I'm very pleased to have renewed my contract with Inter," the Argentine forward told Inter Channel. "I signed today but with the club we had reached an agreement a while ago. I also want to point out that I have never had any problems.

"I'm very pleased to have extended for another two years. I'm in my fifth season with the Nerazzurri and I feel at home here.

"Like I have always done, I will try to give the best of myself in every training session and match, for the good of the club which has also had great confidence in me."

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27298&L=en

International duty for seven

Wednesday, 12 September 2007

MILAN - Seven Inter players represent their national teams in friendly matches and Euro 2008 qualifiers tonight. Here's the fixture schedule:

First team

Julio Cesar, Maicon: Brazil v Mexico (friendly, Boston)

Cristian Chivu: Germany v Romania (friendly, Cologne)

Dejan Stankovic: Portugal v Serbia (Euro 2008 qualifier, Lisbon)

David Suazo: Honduras v Ecuador (friendly, San Pedro Sula)

Patrick Vieira: France v Scotland (Euro 2008 qualifier, Paris)

Primavera

Attila Filkor: Turkey v Hungary (Euro 2008 qualifier, Istanbul)

Chivu medical test results

Thursday, 13 September 2007

MILAN - On his return to Italy this afternoon Cristian Chivu underwent medical tests at Pavia's San Matteo hospital to assess the entity and extent of the injury sustained during the first half of yesterday's international friendly between Germany and Romania. The defender has suffered a anterior-lower dislocation of his left shoulder.

Franco Benazzo, director of the hospital's orthopaedic clinic, and Inter chief of medical staff Franco Combi have immobilised Chivu's shoulder and scheduled a programme of rehabilitation therapy.

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27363&L=en

Serie A: Inter 2-0 Catania
Sunday, 16 September 2007 16:55:11
[FOTO Sunday, 16 September 2007 16:55:11]

MILAN - Goals in each half from Hernan Crespo and Cesar gave the Nerazzurri a comfortable 2-0 win over Catania in Week 3 of the Serie A championship.

The Argentine striker opened the scoring early on, with the Brazilian wing-back adding Inter's second in the final stages.

Mancini opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Julio Cesar returning from suspension and Adriano making his seasonal debut up front. With Wednesday's Champions League match against Fenerbahce in mind, the Inter coach rested the likes of Zanetti, Stankovic and Ibrahimovic.

Catania midfielder Mariano Izco produced the first clear chance of the game, forcing a reflex save from Julio Cesar with an angled drive from the right side of the area.

Inter reacted with devastating period of domination which culminated in Crespo's first goal of the season. Maicon slalomed his way into the area, combined with Adriano and sent a fast ball across the box for Crespo to slide in from close range.

With Figo running around the pitch like a 20-year-old and Adriano a constant threat with his powerful runs, Inter could have scored a few more before the break. Just past the half-hour mark the Brazilian bomber had a headed effort from Figo's corner ruled out for a shove on Edusei.

Inter went close again in added time. Figo raced down the right channel and fed Crespo whose cross was tipped clear by Bizzarri, denying Adriano an easy tap-in at the back post.

Catania came out for the second half with renewed confidence. Gionatha Spinesi, isolated in the opening period, saw more of the ball and was presented with several good chances, the best of which forced a point-blank save from Julio Cesar in the 54th minute.

Mancini shuffled his pack, replacing Crespo with Ibrahimovic for the Swedish forward's 100th appearance in Italy's Serie A, and bringing on Stankovic for Figo.

Inter regained the upper hand, former Ajax team-mates Ibrahimovic and Maxwell both having shots blocked by the Catania rearguard.

Cesar made sure of the points with eleven minutes left on the clock. He received in space from the dazzling Ibrahimovic, made a darting run on goal and fired past Bizzarri from just inside the area.

Adriano was unlucky not to score what would have been a deserved goal deep in injury time. Played in by Ibra, the Brazilian's shot cannoned off the head of Bizzarri and bounced back off the bar.

Inter 2-0 Catania (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Crespo 14, Cesar 79.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 16 Burdisso, 6 Maxwell; 7 Figo (5 Stankovic 65), 19 Cambiasso, 15 Dacourt (4 Zanetti 78), 31 Cesar; 18 Crespo (8 Ibrahimovic 59), 10 Adriano.
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 9 Cruz, 21 Solari, 24 Rivas.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Catania: 1 Bizzarri; 21 Silvestri, 6 Stovini, 23 Terlizzi, 3 Sabato; 17 Baiocco, 25 Martinez (7 Vargas 46), 8 Edusei, 10 Mascara (15 Morimoto 71), 13 Izco (19 Tedesco 73); 24 Spinesi.
Subs not used: 16 Polito, 2 Sardo, 18 Babù, 32 Nardini.
Coach: Gianluca Atzori.

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Schio).

Booked: Mascara 15, Baiocco 23, Burdisso 37.

---

Added on September 16, 2007, 11:15 pm Serie A: Inter 2-0 Catania
Sunday, 16 September 2007 16:55:11
[FOTO Sunday, 16 September 2007 16:55:11]

MILAN - Goals in each half from Hernan Crespo and Cesar gave the Nerazzurri a comfortable 2-0 win over Catania in Week 3 of the Serie A championship.

The Argentine striker opened the scoring early on, with the Brazilian wing-back adding Inter's second in the final stages.

Mancini opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Julio Cesar returning from suspension and Adriano making his seasonal debut up front. With Wednesday's Champions League match against Fenerbahce in mind, the Inter coach rested the likes of Zanetti, Stankovic and Ibrahimovic.

Catania midfielder Mariano Izco produced the first clear chance of the game, forcing a reflex save from Julio Cesar with an angled drive from the right side of the area.

Inter reacted with devastating period of domination which culminated in Crespo's first goal of the season. Maicon slalomed his way into the area, combined with Adriano and sent a fast ball across the box for Crespo to slide in from close range.

With Figo running around the pitch like a 20-year-old and Adriano a constant threat with his powerful runs, Inter could have scored a few more before the break. Just past the half-hour mark the Brazilian bomber had a headed effort from Figo's corner ruled out for a shove on Edusei.

Inter went close again in added time. Figo raced down the right channel and fed Crespo whose cross was tipped clear by Bizzarri, denying Adriano an easy tap-in at the back post.

Catania came out for the second half with renewed confidence. Gionatha Spinesi, isolated in the opening period, saw more of the ball and was presented with several good chances, the best of which forced a point-blank save from Julio Cesar in the 54th minute.

Mancini shuffled his pack, replacing Crespo with Ibrahimovic for the Swedish forward's 100th appearance in Italy's Serie A, and bringing on Stankovic for Figo.

Inter regained the upper hand, former Ajax team-mates Ibrahimovic and Maxwell both having shots blocked by the Catania rearguard.

Cesar made sure of the points with eleven minutes left on the clock. He received in space from the dazzling Ibrahimovic, made a darting run on goal and fired past Bizzarri from just inside the area.

Adriano was unlucky not to score what would have been a deserved goal deep in injury time. Played in by Ibra, the Brazilian's shot cannoned off the head of Bizzarri and bounced back off the bar.

Inter 2-0 Catania (HT: 1-0)

Scorers: Crespo 14, Cesar 79.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 16 Burdisso, 6 Maxwell; 7 Figo (5 Stankovic 65), 19 Cambiasso, 15 Dacourt (4 Zanetti 78), 31 Cesar; 18 Crespo (8 Ibrahimovic 59), 10 Adriano.
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 9 Cruz, 21 Solari, 24 Rivas.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Catania: 1 Bizzarri; 21 Silvestri, 6 Stovini, 23 Terlizzi, 3 Sabato; 17 Baiocco, 25 Martinez (7 Vargas 46), 8 Edusei, 10 Mascara (15 Morimoto 71), 13 Izco (19 Tedesco 73); 24 Spinesi.
Subs not used: 16 Polito, 2 Sardo, 18 Babù, 32 Nardini.
Coach: Gianluca Atzori.

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Schio).

Booked: Mascara 15, Baiocco 23, Burdisso 37.


This post has been edited by ikari|shinji: Sep 16 2007, 11:15 PM

Cesar: "Pleased about the goal and victory"
Sunday, 16 September 2007
MILAN - Brazilian wing-back Cesar, the scorer of Inter's second goal against Catania, was named Sky Italia's man of the match.

"I'm very pleased about the goal and the victory," he said. "We were determined and we want to do even more. The result came but we have to stay focused now. Catania tried to cause problems for us until the end, so we must never think that matches are easy."

Cesar, who played on loan at Livorno and Corinthians last season, added: "I have worked in silence since I returned to Inter because it was right like this. I have always given my best. Today I had a chance and I took full advantage of it. I hope I can continue on this path now."

Along with his compatriot Adriano, Cesar is the other player excluded from Inter's Champions League list. "These decisions were taken and we have to respect them, but this doesn't mean we won't be back on the list in January. Are Inter ready for Fenerbahce? Yes, we will have the right attitude and be determined to bring home a victory."
http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27384&L=en

Photos of the Nerazzurri finishing off their preparations for Sunday's Serie A match against Catania:

Photos of the Nerazzurri vs Catania











This post has been edited by scorps: Sep 18 2007, 01:09 AM

Mancini's squad for FenerbahÇe v Inter

Tuesday, 18 September 2007

APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has named a 20-player squad for Wednesday's Champions League Matchday 1 fixture against Fenerbahçe (Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium at 20.45CET).

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel, 35 Dennis Esposito, 38 Daniele Federici.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 36 Francesco Bolzoni, 37 Gabriele Puccio.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.

do u think crespo will score tonite??

Champions League: FenerbahÇe 1-0 Inter
Wednesday, 19 September 2007

ISTANBUL - Inter opened their 2007/08 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Spurred on by their frenzied fans, Zico's team outplayed the Nerazzurri after Ibrahimovic's early chance from 25 yards.

Deivid had a flicked header tipped over by Julio Cesar who kept out a Roberto Carlos effort before Nelson Rivas swept clear to deny Kezman a chance from close range.

Fenerbahçe's early domination continued as Deivid hit his 20-yard shot straight at the Inter keeper and Aurelio headed wide from an inviting position after connecting with an Alex cross.

Just when Inter looked to be getting into their stride Fenerbahçe took the lead on 43 minutes when Deivid found the net with an unstoppable shot on the turn from Alex's cut-back.

Roberto Carlos hit the post with a venomous strike and forced Julio Cesar into a difficult save with one of his trademark free kicks as the Turkish champions produced chance after chance to increase their lead after the break.

Marco Aurelio then wasted a gilt-edged chance from Alex's intelligent ball into the area.

The Fenerbahçe faithful must have thought they were 2-0 up in the 66th minute but Julio Cesar somehow pulled off a magnificent reflex save from Alex's close-range bullet header.

Mancini's reaction was to bring on Figo for Solari, replace Dacourt with Jimenez for the Chilean's competitive debut, and substitute Suazo with Hernan Crespo.

The game changed in Inter's favour but the Nerazzurri failed to capitalise on a period of pressure. Fenerbahçe hit back again and could have snatched two late goals through Lugano and Semih.

Mancini: "We didn't play well"
Wednesday, 19 September 2007



ISTANBUL - Roberto Mancini spoke on Italian television after Inter's Champions League defeat to Fenerbahçe.

"It was a balanced first half," said the Inter coach. "They played better in the second half because they found more spaces when counter-attacking and on the whole they deserved to win."

Inter faced Zico's side without seven players ruled out through injuries and suspensions. "Those who played are as good as those who were missing, so we mustn't cling on to the absentees," said Mancini.

"Like I just said, they played better over the ninety minutes and deserved to win. We certainly didn't play a good game, we could have done better.

"We have lost one game and now we have to win at home (to PSV on 2 October) to avoid having the difficulties we had last season. We won't have any problems getting through the round if we play like we can, but we have to start winning.

"The boys gave their all on the pitch tonight but sometimes your opponents play better. We have to congratulate Fenerbahçe. The favourites on paper don't always win.

"Perhaps our worries over a new defence might have affected us a bit too much psychologically, but Rivas and Samuel did very well.

"We should have done more in the first half, unfortunately we only emerged at the end of the game.

"We can't compare tonight's defeat with the defeat in Lisbon last season. This is a different group, it's still wide open and we hope to have a few of the injured players back to face PSV, maybe all three of them.

"It's true that taking a slap like this can do you good, and it's true that we will qualify, but we can't always make a bad start. I don't think this slip-up will affect our future and it's wrong to say that Ibra does well in Italy and not in Europe. It's never just a matter of one player."

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27425&L=en

traditionally the Nerrazuris are slow starter in the CL... no problem....

last season inter till which stage ar?

first knock-out round

FenerbahÇe v Inter: Mancini on Inter Channel
Thursday, 20 September 2007 19:12:01

MILAN ­ - Roberto Mancini analysed the Nerazzurri's Champions League performance against Fenerbahçe in this interview for Inter Channel's Bordo Campo programme.

Mancini, Inter didn't make the best start to the 2007/08 Champions League.
"We didn't play a great match and we're disappointed because we wanted to make a different start to the Champions League. We now have to look at the reasons for this defeat. We have to understand why we didn't play well and why we didn't show much personality. And we must concentrate on recovering from yesterday's false step in our next Champions League game."

Inter started the match with a 4-4-2, the formation you are using most at the moment...
"Yes, this is because we don't have all our players at the moment. I thought it was the right decision for yesterday because we had a defence that was playing together for the first time."

You have to look ahead now. Your next game is against PSV Eindhoven, who won against CSKA Moscow. What lessons can be learnt from yesterday's defeat?
"I have drawn many important indications for myself and the team from yesterday's match. I think the defeat should be a lesson for us. The pitch is always the final judge even if we face a team that is weaker than us on paper. It's always very hard if you don't give one hundred percent on the pitch, especially in the Champions League."


http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27434&L=en

Mancini: "Looking for third league victory"
Saturday, 22 September 2007 17:12:02
[FOTO Saturday, 22 September 2007 17:12:02]

APPIANO GENTILE - Part two of Roberto Mancini's press briefing ahead of Sunday's Serie A match at Livorno (Stadio Armando Picchi at 15:00):

Mancini: Adriano gave a wonderful interview to Sky Italia. What is it like to hear him talking like this?
"I didn't see the interview but I see him train every day and I can see when things are improving or not. I don't think it's right to talk about him every day. Adriano is on the right track but he needs time to be the player he was before. I don't think everything can change in a week. It will probably take months, but he's on the right path and he has to continue to train seriously and hard for a long time. Will he start against Livorno? We will see tomorrow. I have five strikers and I will decide after today's training session."

From what we saw on Wednesday, aren't there any regrets over not including Cesar in the Champions League list?"When we had to choose we had to do it among a number of players. Someone had to be left out. Let's hope he's stays in this form so we can put him back on the list in January."

When are you expecting to have Patrick Vieira?"Soon, I hope. I don't know exactly, but I'm hoping to have him back in the next ten days. Will he be back in time to face Roma? I don't know, it could be too soon."

If you have Vieira back in ten days time could there be the same problems with the French national team because of the matches scheduled for the beginning of October?
"Let's hope not. If he trains with the team and plays with us, Vieira shouldn't have any more problems. Unfortunately, injuries happen in football. He has been out since last season so we hope he has already paid his debt with misfortune. And we also hope that he understands there can be times when it's worth stopping for a while and recovering. I'm hoping to have him back in about ten days time, and it will be even better if he can be ready to face Roma."

Do you know if Inter have made contact with the French national team?"I don't know."

Does putting the team right depend more on the recovery of certain players or the formation you field on the pitch?"I think we will have more possibilities to change formation when we are at full strength. However, the way we are playing at the moment is reaping the fruits in the championship. Besides not playing well and deserving the defeat, the greatest problem in Istanbul was the lack of options on the bench. We didn't have a midfielder who could come on and give the team more strength. We had three options in attack and it was quite hard to make changes. We were hoping to take the lead and follow other options but matches never go like you're thinking they will. Compared to the Fenerbahçe game we have five or six players back now so we'll have a bit more choice."

Why do you always play Cesar on the left wing?"Because he's in good physical form and he's better at attacking, but he could be switched to defence during the match."

During the second half of the match in Istanbul there was that misunderstanding between Figo and Jimenez over who should have taken a corner...
"It was nothing special. We weren't managing to get height from our corners so I told Jimenez to take all the set pieces because he hits it strong and very well. That's all."

Will you rotate players in the three upcoming championship matches?
"Some players will definitely rest, but we want to win tomorrow regardless of who plays. We want to do well in the championship because it's important and it gives us the strength to continue well in the Champions League."

Mancini's call-ups for Livorno clash
APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has named a 22-player squad for Sunday afternoon's Serie A match against Livorno (Stadio Armando Picchi at 15:00):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 25 Walter Samuel.

Midfielders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 10 Adriano, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.


http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27452&L=en

Mancini's call-ups for Livorno clash
APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has named a 22-player squad for Sunday afternoon's Serie A match against Livorno (Stadio Armando Picchi at 15:00):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 25 Walter Samuel.

Midfielders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 30 Pelé, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 10 Adriano, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.


http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=27452&L=en