Inter Milan lose the derby with AC Milan
Few months ago Inter’s chances to win the Serie A were very small but with the arrival of Leonardo as coach, Inter miraculously returned to fight for the title. They arrived to just two points from the leader AC Milan.
Inter were the main favorites to win the championship, especially as they were champions from the last five editions of the Serie A, that until this stage when they met the leader AC Milan.Inter fans put their hope in this match, and in case of a victory they would have moved to first position.
But things were not so simple. AC Milan managed to win the derby on Saturday evening and also to strengthen their leading position, while Inter were overtaken by Napoli and dropped to 3rd position.Milan distanced to 5 points from Inter andInter’s chances to win Seria A have decreased dramatically .
AC Milan won 3-0 ,goals scored by Alexandre Patoin the first and 62’th minute and Cassano who scored in the 90th minute for a 3-0.
After this match Inter are trying to return title battle but chances are very small since there are only seven rounds to play.
Giampaolo Pazzini has signed with Inter Milan
Although Inter Milan have many talented strikers in the squad,such as Samuel Eto’o, Diego Milito, Goran Pandev, David Suazo and even youngster Denis Alibec, it seems that Leonardo was not satisfied with the efficiency of his strikers. Leonardo looked for another striker to score more goals.
After hard negotiations, Inter Milan succeeded to give a blow on the transfer market and they brought the leading scorer from Sampdoria Genova,Giampaolo Pazzini. Inter payed for Pazzini 12 million plus Jonathan Biabiany.
Pazzini is 26 years old and he is an Italian international. He has 14 caps and scored 1 goal for the Italian national.Leonardo introduced Pazzini on the field after the break when the score was 2-0 for Palermo.The Italian forward managed to return the result after scoring a double and then was fouled in the box and Samuel Eto`o scored the winning goal.
After this phenomenal debut, everyone expects that Pazzini to earn a place in the first eleven very soon, maybe in the next match against Bari.
Inter signed Luca Castellazzi on a free transfer
Inter announced that they completed the signing of Italian goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi on a free transfer.
Castellazzi was Sampdoria’s goalkeeper since 2005 for which he made 101 appearances. The Italian goalkeeper also played during his career for Monza, Varese, Padova, Pescara, Brescia, Reggina and Catania.
Castellazzi signed a two years contract that will expire in 30 June 2012. This is the first Inter transfer since Benitez arrival but definitely there will be more others.
Mourinho prepares a new era at Inter
Inter dominated the last couple of seasons in Serie A, winning the scudetto three time in a row and on course for the fourth one, but they failed every time in Champions League.
jose mourinho
This was the main reason why Mancini was sacked and Mourinho was brought in at the end of last season.
Bad luck and injuries have made Inter leave Champions League early again this season and Mourinho is determined to change that.
There were speculations that Mourinho will leave Inter at the end of the season and he will return to Premier League. But the Portuguese technician has dismissed the speculations and declared that he will stay for at least four or five years at Inter and build a long term successfully team.
The first step will be to ensure the future of the key players. Cambiasso signed a new contract these days and is expected that Ibrahimovic, Samuel and others to follow.
Another important step will be to improve youth department and training facilities. Mourinho gave Santon and Balotelli as examples and declared that would like to have four or five youth players with the same potential every year.
Also another important aspect will be reducing the squad. Mourinho wants to sell the old players and bring four world class players. Currently 12 of players from Inter squad are over 30 years old. Crespo, Cruz, Materazzi, Vieira are among the players that might leave at the end of the season.
Also changing players mentality is very important, but this task is one of the favorites for Mourinho.
Why Inter could sign Aguero
After months of speculations Inter is final closer on taking Aguero from Atletico Madrid.
Although declaring several times that he is not thinking of leaving Atletico and that he feels really good and loves the club , it seems that the things have changed lately and Aguero would be willing to experience another league.
The main reason is that Abel Moreno, the coach, accused him for missing too much and that he doesn’t concentrate enough in front of the goal. It looks that this words have mad the Argentinian international and made him think about leaving. The most possible destination for him would be Inter where he is wanted by Mourinho and Moratti.
Inter already tried to take the 20 year-old forward this winter but without success. Also Aguero would be delighted to join Inter saying that he would make the best couple of attackers with Ibrahimovic.
Another decisive factor could be the strong relationship between Maradona, his father-in-law, and Massimo Moratti. On the other side one important aspect would be the amount of money that Inter should pay Atletico to convince them to let him go.
Aguero was bought by Atletico at only 18 years old from Independiente for around €20 millions and is considered one of great prospects for World football. Aguero has a minimum realease clause of €55 millions.
julio Cesar, one of the reasons for Inter success
Few people know that one of the strengths for Inter in the last couple of seasons was the Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Julio Cesar was signed by Inter in 2004 but made the first appearance for “the nerazzurri” only in 2005.
The Brazilian was brought at San Siro as a backup for much more valuable at that time Francesco Toldo.
Julio Cesar had an impressive series of evolutions and Mancini decided to offer him the starting role in Inter’s team. Since then Cesar contributed decisively to the success of the team.
The Brazilian offered security and constancy for Inter’s defence.
Besides the fact that he is a good shoot stopper Cesar is recognized for playing the ball well with his foots and more then that he likes to take penalties.
The 29 year-old goalkeeper proved again how important is for Inter this week, in Champions League match against Manchester United, having some great saves that could prove to be decisive for the qualification into the last eight.
At the moment Julio Cesar is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and if we consider his age we can say that he can remain on top for a long time.
Is Daminuta the next youngster on Mourinho’s list?
After Santon, who already established into the starting line-up for Inter, Daminuta could be the next youngster to make the big step to the first team.
Daminuta who was signed by Inter last year made some excellent games at Inter Primavera and is closely watched by Mourinho.
His last notable performance was yesterday match in Viareggio Cup, Primavera beat Vicenza 3-1, when Daminuta opened the score after a superb free-kick. Daminuta was also part of the Mourinho extended squad into the training tournament along Santon and other few talented youngsters.
If he will continue to play like that then Mourinho could give him the chance to make the debut into the first team at the end of the season. Inter are 9 points ahead Juventus and 11 ahead Milan and in the last stages they could be champions already.
Daminuta is the leader of the Romanian U-18 team and is regarded as one of the prospects of European football. The 18-year old Romanian is a versatile player who can play anywhere at midfield or defence.
Daminuta is currently playing as central defender but is equally adept as defensive midfielder since he was playing at Poli Timisoara II.
Daminuta goal in Viareggio Cup
Is Santon the new Javier Zanetti?
After winning the scudetto with Inter under-17 last season, Santon was called up by Mourinho to train with the first squad for the first time at the end of July.
Six months later Mourinho rewarded the talented youngster with a starting role in Coppa Italia quarter-final against Roma. Inter won the game with 2-1 and since then Santon started all Inter games in the detriment of Maxwell.
Santon used to play as an attacking midfielder but later was used as a full-back by Inter Primavera coach. The youngster received only words of praise from his coach, Jose Mourinho, and his team-mates.
Javier Zanetti thinks he has a great future ahead: “He just needs to keep down this road, he has undisputed qualities which he also displays in training. He is also good at listening to our advices and I wish him all the best for a great career. He has what it takes to become an amazing footballer.”
If he continues to develop like this and Mourinho use him regularly Santon has the potential to be better that Zanetti. Considering his tactical versatility Santon can play on several positions , where the coach needs him at the time.
His physically and attacking qualities are also a plus. All this could make him the best full-back in the near future.
The youngster has also a great personality which is very appreciated by Mourinho but not only.
Santon continues to win admiration and could play his first senior derby next week when Inter will face Milan. If Mourinho will use him and he will have again a apreciated evolution then it will be very hard for Maxwell to regain his place.
Inter not giving up on Drogba
The transfer window is closed but the speculations regarding the possible destination of some players still continue.
drogba
Drogba was one of the most hunted players before he got injured last summer. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and Milan were all after him.
Inter were almost inactive on the transfer market this winter and everybody expect Mourinho to act in the summer. The Special One has never hidden his admiration and desire to bring Drogba to San Siro.
Inter are on top of Serie A, still in Champions League and Coppa Italia but the poor performances from last matches have made Mourinho angry.
Mourinho failed to find the ideal partner for Ibrahimovic into the Nerazzurri’s attack because of the inconstant evolutions of Adriano, Cruz or Balotelli. This could force Mourinho to start the negotiations with Chelsea.
On the other side Drogba is having a disappointing season managing to score only three goals from 20 appearances. The 30-year-old Ivorian international has fallen out with Scolari, who prefers Anelka up front.
By coming to Inter, Drogba is trying to regain to the form he played under Mourinho, the man who brought him at Chelsea.
Drogba has lost also Abramovic support after he declared that he wants a new challenge last summer.
Inter would agree an exchange Drogba Quaresma, considering that the Portuguese has already joined Chelsea on loan.