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Obviously the most talented team in Italy, Inter Milan has turned the corner on this season and are heating up as the season goes on. Overcoming their string of incredibly BAD LUCK earlier in the year, this sublime squad looks ready to thunder down the stretch and dominate Champions Laague, while making an honest contest out of what was thought to be a conceded Serie A race.

The turning point of the season came right about halfway through the year, when the much neglected Cristiano Zanetti was once again brought into the regular starting lineup. It was a very tough decision to relegate talent like Emre to the bench....but with the incredible talent still in the lineup, it was a necessary sacrifice.

The Cambiasso-Zanetti midfield has provided the team with the stable central anchor that they have lacked for so long. Their midfield domination has altered the look and composure of this Inter team remarkably.

The spurts of disorganization and panic that used to be so characteristic of this fabulously skilled side, have all but disappeared. There is a calm and composure in this Inter side now that they control the centre of the pitch, and their confidence is improving by leaps and bounds each game.

On top of their physical and defensive presence, however, this pair bring excellent ball skills and vision to the pitch. This is not a pair that diminishes the ball movment on this team.

Their solid presence has also allowed the shackles to be taken off the supremely skilled Stankovic and Veron, who are terrors on either wing. When they stumble, the likes of Emre, Kily, karagounis, and Davids are there if needed.

The backline, long the source of troubles, has started to solidfy around the world class play of J.Zanetti and I.Cordoba. Zanetti is simply the premier right back in the world of football, while Cordoba has cut out the risks and mistakes, and is using his speed, grit, and incredible athleticism to dominate the box. The two other roles have seen more inconsistent performance...although the foursome of Materazzi, Mijhailovic, Favalli, and Burdisso provide four strong and varied options, all of whom can be awesome on their day.

Facing less fire and panic in front of him, Fancesco Toldo has started to round back into form, displaying the confidence and calm that he is well known for.

And of course, the supreme strikeforce on the planet up front is simply unstoppable. Rare is the day that at least one of Adriano, Vierie, Martins, or Recoba cannot cause heartattacks in the opposing defenders. Simply an unstoppable combination of power, skill, and depth.

This always-skilled side has now begun to look a truly formidable beast with the Cambiasso-Zanetti twosome anchoring the team, and dominating the centre of the pitch. Exhuding more poise, calm, and confidence with each passing game, they are quickly rounding into a form second to no team in the world.

At this rate, a Champions League title should be taken for granted. While it Juve or Milan stumble at all down the stretch, this unstoppable force shall surely thunder past them with ease.

FORZA INTER.

Ah, and they are 11 points back!

And lucky to be there!

:x

....please.

Inter's next five games & Best-Case-Scenario

@Udinese - 1 point

HOME to Milan - 1 point

HOME to Lecce - 3 points

@lazio - 1 point

HOME to Fiorentina - 3 points

Best-Case Scenario TOTAL POINTS = 9 (Not too shabby.)

Realistic Scenario:

Udinese Draw

Derby Loss

Lecce Draw

lazio Draw

Fiorentina Draw

Realistic Scenario TOTAL POINTS = 4 (Much more like the Inter we know of this season.)

Disagree

The best scenario is 15 points. Inter can beat every team everywhere.

Realistic: 11 points. 2 draws, most likely Milan and Udinese. They really should be able to beat Lecce, Lazio and Fiorentina...

Any reason why this cannot be discussed on the calcio thread? For the same reason why people do not want to jump between here and the old forum, the same applies here. We have always enjoyed a hearty discussion of all clubs in Serie A. I question if we need a separate thread for a particular club.

Falc said:

I question if we need a separate thread for a particular club.

I agree. And no JUVE thread! BAH where else can ADP be trashed.

Depends on the club, but in this case, we certainly do NOT need a thread. After all, Inter haven't won anything important (Serie A or CL) since the Scudetto in 1989. They won't win anything important this year either.

The more threads the better. You'll get used to it, trust me.

and dezzi, it'll he the rare matchday from now until the end of the season that Inter doesn't get the full 3 points.

Partly agree with Zeke. This is NOT Worldcrossing. It makes no sense restricting everything to one thread. And Inter definetly deserves a thread. Most interesting team to talk about. Just look at all the possible formations they have. Or is Materazzi a bidone? (No) Is Veron a bidone? (definetly no) And Zeke didn't even mention Julio Cruz in his very Mate-like essay. On most teams he would be an undisputed starter. Cruz, not Zeke or Mate...

We obviously don't need to open a thread for every issue, but Serie B or some teams definetly can have their own thread. If Zeke had posted this in the Serie A thing it would dissappear soon, like this I'll probably answer in 1-2 weeks, haven't really watched Inter that much in the last month, so no comments now.

I just hope falc doesn't complain about every new thread, because otherwise he's in the wrong place. WX would be what he's looking for. Which is ok for me too, would actually prefer it. But if we're here let's use the software we have in a way that makes sense.

But it does not make sense. If the two of you want to have a conversation, go ahead. The rest of us will discuss Inter and the other teams on the calcio thread. Inter is on topic on the calcio thread already. This is wasted space and here is my last contribution.

Well. IMO. I have no problem with the thread given the software. But we post wherever we want to.

Now I don't want it to get like have a thread a day and old ones should be deleted.

Since Juve and Milan always win the Scudetto, we'll just leave them under Serie A.

As for Serie B, I haven't followed it much with Palermo in A, but I'm glad to see the likes of Genoa may rise back into the top flight. Torino would be a bonus.

But it does not make sense. If the two of you want to have a conversation, go ahead. The rest of us will discuss Inter and the other teams on the calcio thread. Inter is on topic on the calcio thread already. This is wasted space and here is my last contribution

It makes plenty of sense.

In fact, every new conversation should have it's own thread.

It is in fact the OPPOSITE of "wasting" space. Making everyone talk about every topic that comes to mind on one thread wastes space, time, and lets interesting discussions and points get lost in the shuffle.

This format makes for better discussions, more organized reading, and less scrolling through stuff you're not interested in.

You want to discuss whether Collina is the best ref in the world? start a thread on it.

You want to discuss a specific rule change? start a thread on it.

You want to discuss a certain player's statements to the media? start a thread on it.

You want to discuss whether defense wins championships? start a thread on it.

You want to discuss where the best prosciutto in the world comes from? start a thread on it.

You want to discuss the world series? tour de france? start a thread on it.

It's great, and works very well in fostering good discussions.

I don't have to slog through your discussions on the tour de france, and you don't have to slog through my Inter lineups....unless we want to.

And it's very easy, and doesn't take away anything at all from the banter or cross-discussions. (Just like it never took away from the banter at the old threads despite their being a whole bunch of different threads.)

You'll get used to it in no time, and you'll like it better.

Just think of it as the entire Calcio Italiano forum being our old Calcio Italiano Forum, with each thread just being our old discussions better organized.

But hey, if you want to refuse to do it based on principle, feel free to be an old crank.

I think multiple threeads are a good idea....

Udinese 1 - Inter 1.........Inter maintains it's "Best-Case-Scenario" form to a tee......

More awful luck for Inter this year.

A dominating performance, undone by a lucky desperation goal in extra time.

their only luck is bad luck, it seems.

bad, bad luck. lot's of bad luck


Ah well, CL is there for the taking.

luck. bad luck.

Zeus, Veron IS definitely a bidone. He had 3 years in England and showed almost nothing. I remember him big-mouthing after our 2003 EPL win as if he had personally contributed and it was HIS personal victory lol.

Far from it, our unbeaten run at the end of that season co-incided with he and Beckham's absence lol. Don't want to hear any excuses about him playing in the wrong country; not like he comes from paradise in the first place lol.

As for threads, I've opened a United thread of my own as it's a free for all.

As for Materazzi, no comment. Said all I had to about him way back on the old forum. Let's just say if you look bad among Everton's mediocre players you aren't doing that well.

And Marko posting here demonstrates another advantage.....separate threads makes it MUCH easier for unfamiliar posters to contribute to our forum.

Now new and/or infrequent posters will be less intimidated coming to our forum, because they can contribute instantly to the topic they are interested in, without haveing to wade through a huge thread where everything is talked about/

bumping this one up over all the oh so hilarious Falc threads.

Marko

Veron definetly isn't a bidone! Have you actually seen a few Inter games this year? He's been much better than expected. After his 3 years in England, where he seems to have sucked non-stop for 3 years (don't know, just read about the premier league) nobody really thought it was a good idea to buy him. Know what? He's been solid and IMO one of the best Inter players this season. Or ask Zeke if he thinks Veron sucked so far. Or La Gazzetta dello Sport: According to them best Inter player of the season so far is Cambiasso 6.33 average, second Veron 6.32, then Vieri then Adriano.


Materazzi: I think Zeke did some research and came up with some nice statistics about Materazzi's Everton experience. Bad among mediocre players doesn't seem to fit with the 1? 2? Everton player of the month things he got!

This damn bad luck is getting ridiculous.

Inter was the better team yesterday, and did not deserve to lose...especially on that crap goal.

Where's Zeke?

Veron is playing like he did in his old Lazio days ......Inter look scary this year.

I think there should be a Krymteplytsya Simferopil thread!

Anti-Inter viddy done by a Romanian supporter of Milan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PMzb7lKJwM&mode=related&search=

anti-Inter video done by a Juve fan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2t4meuP ... ed&search=

Anti Inter video done by AS Roma supporter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMFLMZzo ... ed&search=

Inter are shit

I HAVE TO HAVE THIS STORY SAVED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Well Said, Ibra. You gypsy !! Saturday 26 May, 2007


Ibra praised disgraced ex-Bianconeri director general Moggi in an interview with ‘Libero’ newspaper and suggested Inter could learn from the figure at the centre of the Calciopoli scandal.

“My agent is currently negotiating a wage increase at Inter. I hope Massimo Moratti is as decisive now as when he signed me,” explained the former Ajax man.

“At Juve, they were a lot clearer on certain things. Moggi was removed because we won too much. It was all jealousy. When I arrived at Inter, the first thing I advised Moratti was to bring in Luciano and change their mentality. Luckily, we won anyway…”

The Nerazzurri have repeatedly noted that this Scudetto was the first “clean” title race in many years and that if they had not been damaged by Moggi’s machinations, then there would have been more trophies in their cabinet.

However, former Juventus star Ibrahimovic went against the grain of his teammates and instead says this record-breaking side was inferior to his in Turin.

“They are two great teams, but that Juve had something more. There was a sense of cohesion that still isn’t present at Inter,” he told the newspaper.

“Last year when someone played badly, the other teammates lifted him up. Here it is the opposite – whoever plays below par drags the rest of the squad down with him. Inter are still learning what it takes to be at the top.”

anti-Inter.com are going to have a field day with this !!

hahaha, Ibra back at it !!

courtesy: channel4

Milan-Inter row intensifies Sunday 27 May, 2007

Relations between the ‘cugini’ are at an all-time low, with Massimo Moratti and Carlo Ancelotti exchanging barbed comments over Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

There was controversy this week when Milan Coach Ancelotti said a star player who “nobody could suspect” had approached them looking for a transfer.

“If I revealed his name, there would be chaos,” he smiled in his Press conference. All the major Italian newspapers insisted it was Ibrahimovic, who has criticised Inter for dragging their heels over a contract improvement.

When asked about this story, Nerazzurri patron Moratti vented his fury at Sky Italia television.

“I really don’t think that Ibra can go to Milan,” he said. “I definitely did not appreciate Ancelotti’s comments.

“I’m not sure at this stage what is true and what was built up by the media. In the past we have exchanged players with Milan to avoid excessive wage deals, but I don’t see any likelihood that could happen now.”

This message was relayed to Ancelotti and the tension between the two clubs grew even further.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” said the Rossoneri Coach. “Moratti has nothing to do with the ‘beyond suspicion’ player I was talking about. The newspapers are making these links, but I never named anyone. I never said Ibrahimovic.”

If Milan are not behind it, then what is undeniable is that Ibrahimovic is unhappy with the Nerazzurri.

He caused controversy this week by telling newspaper ‘Libero’ that Juventus were more organised and a better squad, partly because of disgraced former director general Luciano Moggi.

“You always need someone like Moggi in an organisation,” Zlatan reiterated in front of Sky Italia television cameras this evening.

“He helped me out a lot when I was at Juve. Here at Inter things are going well, but one can always do better.”

Which is why Inter will not win crap next year. What do they focus on, the CL or Serie A? Milan winning the CL has put them at difficulty. It is bad enough that they need to prove that this season scudetto condizionato was not just that. But then they also need to do better than their cugino. Moratti is talking about bringing in new players. Where will Mancini find a place for them to play? Things went well in Serie A this season because there was no pressure. But look how poorly the got eliminated in the CL. Inter will amount to nothing next season.

Falc

you know I like Milan, even though I support Juve, and absolutely disdain Inter with all my passion.

But I was looking at Milan's roster. I'm telling you. Take away their starting 11, and quite frankly their second-choice 11 are absolute crap. I've said it before and I will repeat, I will not be suprised to see Milan return to the level of 1997/1998 in a year or two.

the only thing that would prevent that was back then you had the "seven sisters" and other teams that could make life difficult. But amongst the "top teams" they have the least upswing. But I have to admit, the CL carrot (8 finals in 20 years) is a "big carrot" they have to dangle potential signings.

Inter will definitely win the league next year, but they won't run away with it.

6/21/2007 8:31 AM

Inter Accused Of Faulty "Book-keeping, Relegation Possible!

The Nerazzurri have been accused by the financial authorities that they covered their losses with false accounting for the 2005-06 season.

This is probably one of the worst weeks ever since Massimo Moratti took over Inter. After losing David Suazo to rivals Milan, risking of receiving heavy fines for obtaining the player's signature without the club's permission and apparently also losing out in the Cristian Chivu race, the Nerazzurri have a new problem to face: the financial authorities.

Clubs in Italy must pass the Covisoc check before the start of the new season to prove their financial health, otherwise they would not be allowed to play in their respective league.

According to the latest reports coming from Italy, the financial authorities are accusing Inter of fiddling with their books to be able to register the Nerazzurri in the 2005-06 season - the one they were awarded the Scudetto following the Calciopoli scandal.

If proven to be true, this would be a real blow for Inter's image after repeatedly claiming that this was the 'Scudetto of honesty'.

Inter are accused of inflating the players' values, also known as 'plusvalenze', and according to a specialist lawyer, Mattia Grassani, this is a very serious accusation which could even lead to the demotion of Inter to Serie B football.

"Financial fraud is a very serious crime, only second in the sports justice to the sporting fraud.

"In this case the sanctions for the directors can either be a simple fine up to 5 years suspensions with a proposal of radiation, whereas for the clubs can receive a fine up till demotion. In the code there's also the revocation of the Scudetto, but it's up to the Federal President to decide if there are the extremes."

Apart from Inter, also Milan, Reggina and Sampdoria are involved in the investigations with new developments expected in the coming days.

As soon as the news came out, an obviously pleased Luciano Moggi commented: "Sooner or later, things come up to the surface."

GD

6/21/2007 8:32 AM

Inter Can Be Relegated, Confirms Former FIGC Man

The Nerazzurri are facing the real possibility of going down to Serie B if the accusations launched by the financial authority are proven to be true.
Problems ahead for Inter as the Nerazzurri's position in the financial fraud involving Massimo Moratti's club is getting more critical.

Lawyer Mario Stagliano, a former number two at the FIGC investigation office, told 'Affariitaliani.it' that the possibility of relegation for Inter is a reality.

"Once that the falsification of the accounts documents is verified, for Inter or any other team, thanks to which it was obtained the entrance to the championship which otherwise it would have not be allowed in, the article 7 number 3 of the Sports Justice Code states that (Inter can face) the penalization of one or more points in the standings, the exclusion from the championship, the non assignation or revocation of the Scudetto would be applicable."

This would be quite an ironic and difficult situation for Inter who have on various occasions stated that the Scudetto of 2005/06 was the 'Scudetto of honesty'.

Now if proven guilty, it will be up to the FIGC to see whether to use the same measure used against Juventus, Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina and Reggina in this past season when inflicting the penalties to the Nerazzurri.

Will this be Calciopoli Act 2?

GD

hahahaha

Is this thread really necessary? All this talk can go on our Calcio Italiano thread.

[quote="Pabs"]Falc

you know I like Milan, even though I support Juve, and absolutely disdain Inter with all my passion.

But I was looking at Milan's roster. I'm telling you. Take away their starting 11, and quite frankly their second-choice 11 are absolute crap. I've said it before and I will repeat, I will not be suprised to see Milan return to the level of 1997/1998 in a year or two.

the only thing that would prevent that was back then you had the "seven sisters" and other teams that could make life difficult. But amongst the "top teams" they have the least upswing. But I have to admit, the CL carrot (8 finals in 20 years) is a "big carrot" they have to dangle potential signings.

Inter will definitely win the league next year, but they won't run away with it.[/quote

I have to agree on both counts. Milan will need to sign some young fresh legs.

Inter is the favorite next season for Serie A. They steamrolled over every team this past season. But IMO Moratti, Mancini & Co should focus on the CL for next season.