After watching the second of Inter's encounters last night versus
Inter has all the ingredients to be a great team, but that chemistry just isn’t there as yet. Last night’s encounter was the epiphany of strategy gone wrong. Balotelli, as good as he is, needed a little more assistance up front. John terry and Ricardo Carvalho were all too eager to stamp out any threat this lone figure provided. Even with the classy Motta behind him, Balotelli was outnumbered more times than not. Viera, still as classy as ever, has lost the extra step that once made him so dominant in his position. Quaresma needs a bush bath, because even after an entire season he still looks way out of his depth in this squad. Santon continues to impress me, improving every match that I see him play. Obi has a long way to go and that keeper needs to be shot. Too many mistakes were made by a team that is by no means lacking in technical ability or class. Player for player they are better than
I’m not worried about Inter’s place in the Serie A next season, but what distinguishes great clubs is their ability to shine on the European stage. Domestic titles don’t mean isht if you can’t carry that momentum into the Champions’ League. That winning mentality, that killer instinct that was ever present last season, just isn’t there. Maybe it’s the prospect of losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barca that’s throwing things out of whack? If that’s it, they should be comfortable knowing that they are getting a more than worthy replacement in Samuel Eto’o (who in my books is one of the most underrated strikers ever). Lucio presence in the team should also be a good addition.
As much as we know about Jose, we know that he hates to lose, even in a preseason tournament that has no glory, only bragging rights. The usual retort of ‘trophies are won in May’ is a pile of rubbish. Teams need to shine NOW because most times your preseason results usually mirror the next season’s. And I think he knows that.
I’m awaiting some Inter fans excuses….
3 comments:
Inter is a shit side. steups!!! Waste of time!!
Inter Not Worried About Lacklustre Loss To Chelsea
The Nerazzurri didn't take the Chelsea game seriously and preferred not to risk some of their star players, according to an assistant coach...
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/07/22/1397280/inter-not-worried-about-lacklustre-loss-to-chelsea
Quick comments:
(1) Chelsea did start their 1st team formation in the first half. Inter fielded a 2nd string team. No Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Muntari and even Stankovic.
(2) Inter, just like last season, is using pre-season to try out new tactical setups e.t.c. Mancini playing at right back? Vieira playing attacking mid? Inter was NOT taking the game seriously. Last pre-season, Inter were terrible and could not score. I believe the scudetto was still won
(3) The season ends in May and the key to success is peaking at the right time. NO TEAM is able to play at a high level from July -> May the next year. If Chelsea wants to be at their peak now, thats fine by me.
(4) The talk about "being competitive in the Champions League" is utter nonsense. As I was describing to somebody else a couple days ago, analyze the starting lineups for the 2 teams that just competed in the Champions League final. Barcelona had a crappy goalkeeper, fielded a midfielder in defense, Pique was playing his first full season, Sylvinho is old and is garbage, Busquets anchoring the midfield, and an unfit Henry. Bar Henry, none of those other players can even sniff the starting lineup at Inter. Manchester had Carrick, Anderson, Ji-Sung Park, and John O'Shea...again, players who are basically crap and will never make an Inter team.
The difference? Confidence. Mourinho watched Inter play a very nervous 1st half at the San Siro. Very nervous. He realized that the problem is not so much on personnel, but a lot more to do with confidence that the team can progress. I guarantee you Inter will do a lot better this season. Just watch the 2nd leg in Old Trafford, where, if it wasn't for turncoat Zlatan missing his chances, Inter would have progressed.
In sum, this is pre-season. Ancelotti is doing the same like he did at Milan; light pre-season to make the team look in form and ready to go...Milan has not won a league in 5 years. Why? Because of stamina and concentration, not talent. Inter has been doing 2 and 3 a day workouts, trying various tactical solutions, and playing the youngsters. That is what pre-season is for.
ps. turncoat zlatan should know that no team has won the Champions League back to back, and that Barcelona will be no different. Mark my words; he will go there, flop in the Champions League again (6 years running), and blame his teammates...
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