Internazionale Main Thread

[Lombardiamia]

Nice game yesterday against a very in-form team like Cagliari. I had expected us to sweat of this game, but we dominated from beginning to end, and closed it after only 50 mins. I'm quite impressed. Let's hope I dont see some Maro running in here telling us how Inter can only play the physical game... Now that the players seem to be coming back from injuries, our performances have hit a stride.
I've seen you guys debate quite a lot about Zanetti. I am sort of playing fiddle in the middle here. I mean I wish to have a much more technically gifted midfield to field, but at the same time I would dread seeing Zanetti resting on the bench. Against Chelsea, maybe we would need a different midfield, but I guess Mariga is not ready yet to fill that spot in these matches. Zanetti will need to play. More importantly, the other players will need to play a great game against Chelsea. Zanetti playing will not be the do or die factor in these 2 games. Sneijder, Milito, Eto'o, Pandev yes.

[Totally FRANK]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Zanetti makes me look like a fool when he plays like this, especially with that run at the start for the first goal. But in the end, we know we could use someone who offers us more. Atm though, he's probably been our most consistent midfielder minus Sneijder.

It's easy to say this being an armchair fan but I think Mou needs to show balls and find a way to fit Sneijder, Milito, Eto'o, Pandev all in the one team for this tie. If that means Sneijder playing at LM with Pandev as CAM or RW then so be it. I'd be prepared to take that gamble because our normal midfield will simply get blown away, almost similar to the Barca game. Personally I would like to see Motta in place of Zanetti as that would balance us out a bit more but that's just wishful thinking.

Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Sneijder; Eto'o, Milito, Pandev.

[Lombardiamia]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

Frank don’t think I have some personal grudge against the lad, but right now, my answer to your question would be no. No, I am not impressed and not yet satisfied TBH. IMO, last year he was even better than he is now, so after a year, I would definitely expect him to be better, not equal or a step below. After a year, I would expect him to be able to at least use his left leg, or not always give those 5 meters between him and his opponent. Those are his main faults, so in order to ‘impress’ me, he has to get last year’s form and get better in any of those faults. When he comes forward with the ball, he gets extremely predictable, cause you know he will track back to get on his right foot before he crosses. Easier said than done for a righty, but at least try. Fail trying, but at least try. Hopefully it’s just me that maybe is a little too expectant. We all know he should be playing as RB, but if he keeps this way, and maicon isn’t sold, we should definitely get a left footed full back next year, or we’ll keep depending on just one flank to attack.

Dejan, I dont really think that lineup could ever be used. At least not from the very beginning of a match and certainly not against Chelsea. I believe we have more chances this time than we ever had last year against Man U. Not esentially because we have different players, but it seems like we are getting in form at the right moment. Maybe january's visit to Dubai was programmed to have the players start slow and peak later? Now it's up to the players to not get in the match with the usual fear. This team seems to however have a lot more maturity and self-confidence than last year's..

[Totally FRANK]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

Frank don’t think I have some personal grudge against the lad, but right now, my answer to your question would be no. No, I am not impressed and not yet satisfied TBH. IMO, last year he was even better than he is now, so after a year, I would definitely expect him to be better, not equal or a step below. After a year, I would expect him to be able to at least use his left leg, or not always give those 5 meters between him and his opponent. Those are his main faults, so in order to ‘impress’ me, he has to get last year’s form and get better in any of those faults. When he comes forward with the ball, he gets extremely predictable, cause you know he will track back to get on his right foot before he crosses. Easier said than done for a righty, but at least try. Fail trying, but at least try. Hopefully it’s just me that maybe is a little too expectant. We all know he should be playing as RB, but if he keeps this way, and maicon isn’t sold, we should definitely get a left footed full back next year, or we’ll keep depending on just one flank to attack.

I agree that he set himself the high standards last season and now he is expected to do better but you must also consider that he just returned from injury. And he also went through a rough patch where he was punished by Mourinho for not training properly or something like that. So this is kind of a fresh start for him.

After the game against Man U and some appearances in the National team, he has never been himself and that's no fault of others. However, he his slowly getting to the player we all know him to be but he still has some way to go as you say. It is just good to see him play regularly and put in some descent performances on a regular basis.

[Totally FRANK]

I somehow have the feeling that we would have beaten Man U had we got them this time around. They are playing well in EPL at the moment but they still lack that edge that Ronaldo gave them.

However, unfortunately we got Chelsea who are a totally different proposition. Hopefully, Essien doesn't return by then.

[Lombardiamia]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

Frank don’t think I have some personal grudge against the lad, but right now, my answer to your question would be no. No, I am not impressed and not yet satisfied TBH. IMO, last year he was even better than he is now, so after a year, I would definitely expect him to be better, not equal or a step below. After a year, I would expect him to be able to at least use his left leg, or not always give those 5 meters between him and his opponent. Those are his main faults, so in order to ‘impress’ me, he has to get last year’s form and get better in any of those faults. When he comes forward with the ball, he gets extremely predictable, cause you know he will track back to get on his right foot before he crosses. Easier said than done for a righty, but at least try. Fail trying, but at least try. Hopefully it’s just me that maybe is a little too expectant. We all know he should be playing as RB, but if he keeps this way, and maicon isn’t sold, we should definitely get a left footed full back next year, or we’ll keep depending on just one flank to attack.

I agree that he set himself the high standards last season and now he is expected to do better but you must also consider that he just returned from injury. And he also went through a rough patch where he was punished by Mourinho for not training properly or something like that. So this is kind of a fresh start for him.

After the game against Man U and some appearances in the National team, he has never been himself and that's no fault of others. However, he his slowly getting to the player we all know him to be but he still has some way to go as you say. It is just good to see him play regularly and put in some descent performances on a regular basis.

That's what I wanted to say. If in a months time he'll be back to his old form, than I'd be happy, but given current circumstances, no one can be impressed by what he has to offer. More time

[Messinese Interista]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

Frank don’t think I have some personal grudge against the lad, but right now, my answer to your question would be no. No, I am not impressed and not yet satisfied TBH. IMO, last year he was even better than he is now, so after a year, I would definitely expect him to be better, not equal or a step below. After a year, I would expect him to be able to at least use his left leg, or not always give those 5 meters between him and his opponent. Those are his main faults, so in order to ‘impress’ me, he has to get last year’s form and get better in any of those faults. When he comes forward with the ball, he gets extremely predictable, cause you know he will track back to get on his right foot before he crosses. Easier said than done for a righty, but at least try. Fail trying, but at least try. Hopefully it’s just me that maybe is a little too expectant. We all know he should be playing as RB, but if he keeps this way, and maicon isn’t sold, we should definitely get a left footed full back next year, or we’ll keep depending on just one flank to attack.

Dejan, I dont really think that lineup could ever be used. At least not from the very beginning of a match and certainly not against Chelsea. I believe we have more chances this time than we ever had last year against Man U. Not esentially because we have different players, but it seems like we are getting in form at the right moment. Maybe january's visit to Dubai was programmed to have the players start slow and peak later? Now it's up to the players to not get in the match with the usual fear. This team seems to however have a lot more maturity and self-confidence than last year's..

Now doubt the world class players that we have acquired (sneijder, lucio, etoo, milito etc) definitely have something to do with this. Any confidence they gain, gets distributed to the rest of the team.

[Totally FRANK]

Lomba, still not impresses with Santon? I agree with you that he doesn't use his left foot at all and he needs to work on that but defensively he has been really good. And he is in good shape at the moment.

Stankovic is still training apart. When is he expected to return.

Frank don’t think I have some personal grudge against the lad, but right now, my answer to your question would be no. No, I am not impressed and not yet satisfied TBH. IMO, last year he was even better than he is now, so after a year, I would definitely expect him to be better, not equal or a step below. After a year, I would expect him to be able to at least use his left leg, or not always give those 5 meters between him and his opponent. Those are his main faults, so in order to ‘impress’ me, he has to get last year’s form and get better in any of those faults. When he comes forward with the ball, he gets extremely predictable, cause you know he will track back to get on his right foot before he crosses. Easier said than done for a righty, but at least try. Fail trying, but at least try. Hopefully it’s just me that maybe is a little too expectant. We all know he should be playing as RB, but if he keeps this way, and maicon isn’t sold, we should definitely get a left footed full back next year, or we’ll keep depending on just one flank to attack.

Dejan, I dont really think that lineup could ever be used. At least not from the very beginning of a match and certainly not against Chelsea. I believe we have more chances this time than we ever had last year against Man U. Not esentially because we have different players, but it seems like we are getting in form at the right moment. Maybe january's visit to Dubai was programmed to have the players start slow and peak later? Now it's up to the players to not get in the match with the usual fear. This team seems to however have a lot more maturity and self-confidence than last year's..

Now doubt the world class players that we have acquired (sneijder, lucio, etoo, milito etc) definitely have something to do with this. Any confidence they gain, gets distributed to the rest of the team.

Not to mention we play much better football now than last year. As a team we are much better. Last year it was all about Ibra. Now we have Sneijder, Pandev, Milito and Eto'o sharing the load.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Dejan, I dont really think that lineup could ever be used. At least not from the very beginning of a match and certainly not against Chelsea. I believe we have more chances this time than we ever had last year against Man U. Not esentially because we have different players, but it seems like we are getting in form at the right moment. Maybe january's visit to Dubai was programmed to have the players start slow and peak later? Now it's up to the players to not get in the match with the usual fear. This team seems to however have a lot more maturity and self-confidence than last year's..

We're in great Serie A form, but it doesn't relate at all to the CL. Imo we've played 1 1/2 good games in the CL and that was the 1st half vs Barca at and the entire game vs Kiev away. To suddenly go from very, very average group stage form to having a good chance vs Chelsea is too much of a stretch for me.

I don't think that formation is too outrageous tbh. It's our normal trident, only with Sneijder replacing Motta. Sneijder has played as a CM for both Ajax and Madrid so it's still a natural position for him to play.

[Totally FRANK]

Police Question Jose Mourinho After Foiling Planned Burglary On His Home - Report
Mourinho is reportedly in shock after criminals planned to rob him...
Jose Mourinho is being questioned by police after they foiled a Macedonian gang who allegedly planned to raid his villa in Como.

La Stampa reports the gang were ready to burgle Mourinho's home and they had built up a diary of all of his movements so they could strike when he wasn't there.

Police in Genoa discovered documents including Mourinho's address, photographs and his car number plate, which the gang had obtained.

Mourinho will be questioned by investigators today over the incident. Inter assistant coach Giuseppe Baresi is expected to take the press conference ahead of tomorrow's game against Parma.

It is said the Macedonian gang is connected to a network of Italian criminals who had already tried to target Atalanta players in the past.

The former Chelsea coach has also taken steps to increase security in his home.

[juventino_italiano]

I tip my hat to Inter...it seems you guys have done everything right...
I doubted Inter after their slow start in 2010....
Hopefully you, milan and fiorentina can help raise Italy UEFA co-efficient so we keep 4 CL places....

3 Italians in the semi finals!!!
Well...2 1/2 ....lol

[Totally FRANK]

I tip my hat to Inter...it seems you guys have done everything right...
I doubted Inter after their slow start in 2010....
Hopefully you, milan and fiorentina can help raise Italy UEFA co-efficient so we keep 4 CL places....

3 Italians in the semi finals!!!
Well...2 1/2 ....lol

Wishful thinking, J_I. I would be surprised if even 1 team makes it to the semis.

Fiorentina are having a bad patch while Bayern in contrast are having the best run of their season. The same can be said about Milan and Man U. And Inter, you never know which team is going to turn up, especially in CL nights.

[Lombardiamia]

Yeah I would say that is extremely wishful thinking in there JI, given current circumstances. It is quite obvious that there are other teams who currently have an edge over Italian clubs, and I don’t see how they would all fail against these Italians. As Frank said, Fiore & Milan will have an extremely hard time, considering their current strengths & form. Inter are currently on form, but so is Chelsea, and when it comes to Inter & CL, one should always assume they wont be able to play beyond 50% of their potential. It’s a pity, cause with regards to names, Inter arent inferior to Chelsea, but mentally there’s an abyss. As Frank said, it would already be much to have 1 Italian team progress to the next round. A Semi-final berth would be a pure miracle.

[juventino_italiano]

Yeah I would say that is extremely wishful thinking in there JI, given current circumstances. It is quite obvious that there are other teams who currently have an edge over Italian clubs, and I don’t see how they would all fail against these Italians. As Frank said, Fiore & Milan will have an extremely hard time, considering their current strengths & form. Inter are currently on form, but so is Chelsea, and when it comes to Inter & CL, one should always assume they wont be able to play beyond 50% of their potential. It’s a pity, cause with regards to names, Inter arent inferior to Chelsea, but mentally there’s an abyss. As Frank said, it would already be much to have 1 Italian team progress to the next round. A Semi-final berth would be a pure miracle.

I'm hoping for a big one....

[Messinese Interista]

you guys shouldn't let us down in the europa.

[Dejan-Stankovic]

Everyone expecting the same lineup vs Parma tonight as the Cagliari game minus Cordoba for Lucio? I don't see the reason to change, especially after such a good performance.

[Totally FRANK]

Everyone expecting the same lineup vs Parma tonight as the Cagliari game minus Cordoba for Lucio? I don't see the reason to change, especially after such a good performance.

Baresi told they will continue making those 2 or 3 changes every game to keep players fresh. The only other change I can see is Zanetti being pushed to LB and Mariga given a game from the start with Santon rested.

The trident upfront wouldn't be changed at any cost.

[juventino_italiano]

you guys shouldn't let us down in the europa.

We'll try not to...
We should have the motivation of beating your asses in Super Cup...lol

[juventino_italiano]

Domenech hails Vieira switch Wednesday 10 February, 2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

France boss Raymond Domenech has praised Patrick Vieira’s decision to leave Inter during the transfer window.

The midfielder quit Serie A last month after being enticed by the lure of Manchester City by former club boss Roberto Mancini.

Vieira was desperate for regular first team football and Domenech has admitted that the player is now firmly in his World Cup plans.

"He needed to play again, it didn't really matter where, but now it's a bonus that [b]he finds himself again at a very good club,â€