Inter Per Sempre

Today it seems that the storm has passed, Felipe Melo has found the momentum and is already looking to the next season, giving Juve a recipe for competing with Inter.  "The team is there and now we have a good coach.  We need more players that can make a difference.  I think three big arrivals from the transfer market will make us on par with Inter."

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I usually don't post Juve stuff but this is just too funny. 

Exclusive: The coach of Inter breaks the silence and makes noise.

Balotelli - The fever of Mario was a lie.

On the field against Genoa with a 38.5?

"The fever of Balotelli is a lie."

I'm being missed? - On the field, it is about the team.

Your absence on the bench is weighing on the team?

"I'm not need, the team has character."

With Genoa - Prefer a draw, but honesty.

Only a victory in the last 5 games?

"Better a draw, but honesty."

The coach of Inter stops the silence to shake the team in the view of Chelsea.  He opens a new case around super Mario.

Milan - Coaches in the stands? Doesn't matter if the team has character they can do it alone.  Balotelli with a fever? But it was a lie.  A series of draws? Better to be content, although they could be winning.  A chat with Jose Mourinho, who breaks the press silence, it is never trivial, let alone at a time like this.  With the standings is more compact, and with the Champions League who obliges to change the recent past, with Milan and Roma compel him, for a while now, he is not thinking about Chelsea.  And God knows that it's all about the Champions League for Inter and Moratti.

Old Trafford Monday, women's day, Mourinho dedicated himself to his wife Tami, just like every year, with a gift and lunch together.  A little bit of computer gaming time with Jose Jr. in the afternoon, then say Guimraes-Nacional (2-0).  And last night, however, return to Europe.  The coach tuned in to the Champions League to watch mostly Arsenal-Porto.  Understandably, since it was the team were it all started on the bench for the Portuguese.  Even more understandable considering that today is exactly six years from the 1-1 with Manchester United in the first knock out stage in the Champions League in 2004 with Costinha's goal at the 90th minute which saw the mad rush of Mourinho at Old Trafford, Sir Alex petrified and the final at that point became an obligated goal.

Four draws in the last five games: cause for concern?

"Some of them were because of the mistakes of others, and some because of our fault."

And the last one?

"I prefer a draw.  It was an honest game.  When my team plays well, we deserve to win."

Can you talk about how your absence on the team has effected the team?

"But I'm not the one that playing, scoring, or making saves.  If the team plays well, with the right attitude, then there is no need of a coach on the bench to win."

So when is a coach needed?

"When you lack concentration, intensity, aggression, then the coach can try to help the team but when it depends on the players, the coach can not do anything."

Balotelli was not at his peak.  Could be because of the fever?

"Fever? what fever? I had the fever, not him..."

How?

"Dr. Combi and I knew that Mario didn't have a fever.  For him to play in those conditions would not be ethical.  Fever for Mario is a lie."

Apart from physical and tactical problems, the bomber of Africa also suffers the climate in Milan.

The reason for the loss of Samuel Eto'o could also be the cold in Milan.  Not only that, The Lion King, who returned from the African Cup of Nations with a bruised ankle, perhaps even suffering in terms of tactical position which is not accustomed playing on the wings.  It is not easy for an African to accustomed to the rigid climate in Milan, much less one who has lived in a city with high temperatures in Mallorca and Barcelona.  In any case, the captain of Cameroon is suffering because of the distance between him and the goal, and this is the real reason for the inefficiency of Eto'o. 

Eto'o could spend another day on the bench against Catania but Inter are hopeful that the Cameroonian can return to his best and next Tuesday he can score the goals that he has promised.

The Chilean star of Grosseto and Serie B: "Now I feel ready for a big"

He tasted Inter a few years ago, when he was only 19 years old.  It was an unfortunate experience which ended after two loans to Chievo and Celta Vigo before being sold to Sporting Lisbon.  After a long pilgrimage, Mauricio Pinilla seems to have finally found a right team in Grosseto in Serie B.  The South American striker has now finally exploded and he feels ready to tackle new adventure with Inter.  He reveals himself in an interview with Corriere dello Sport: "I can only thank president Moratti and Branca because seven years ago they brought me to Italy for the first time.  If there should be a new opportunity for me, I will do everything to exploit the most this time.  Inter are a dream for anyone.  I'm happy to be at Grosseto and have finally matured as a player and as a man."

On his trail there are many clubs in Serie A such as Fiorentina, Napoli and Genoa in the front row.  "I'm delighted that such important clubs have shown interest in me.  I hope to realize the dream I had as a kid to become a champion and play for a great team."

And a big dream is working with Mourinho.  "I feel ready for a great team and I would repay the Nerazzurri for the confidence they have given me.  And being coached by the greatest coach in the world would be very special for everyone.  Also because Mourinho is able to bring the best out of every player.  But I wouldn't dream too much."

The two jewels of the Primavera could be included in the negotiations with Genoa.

Continuing the negotiations between Inter and Genoa, which has the right for Andrea Ranocchia.  The defender on loan at Bari is the number one target for Mourinho to rejuvenate and at the same time strengthen the defense.  The offer of Inter is 10 million plus co-ownerships of Krhin and Destro, which is estimated at 5 million.  Genoa could settle the offer from Inter, given the good relationship between Moratti and Preziosi, because of the major transaction last summer: Milito and Motta to Inter; Fatic, Meggiorini, Acquafresca e Bonucci to Genoa.

Mario Balotelli is suffering the after-effects of fever, feeling weak and exhausted, in addition to some stomach problems.  Yesterday, Mario and the team enjoyed a day of rest to recover for the game on Friday in Catania.  Mourinho knows that the conditions of Balotelli, even if he won't train today, would diminish the chances of him taking the field at Massimino.  The Portuguese coach must be cautious waiting for 100% Balotelli, who had a strong showing in the first leg.

MILAN - We're 102 years old after twelve more months of excitement that only our colours can give. Twelve more months of important successes, anniversaries, milestones and initiatives that have made our black and blue colours even greater all over the world.

It was 15 March 2009 when Javier Zanetti played against Fiorentina at the Meazza to equal Giacinto Facchetti's total of 634 appearances for Inter. Facchetti and Zanetti: two standard-bearers who have represented with pride our colours at home and abroad.

In April, those same colours gave hope to the victims of the Abruzzo earthquake. Inter Clubs from the affected region joined in the relief effort, while Inter Campus sent coaches to provide recreational activities to children, restoring a smile to their faces.

In decidedly different circumstances, there were more smiles in May as Inter fans celebrated the club's 17th Serie A title. It was a special occasion for the club's number one fan Massimo Moratti, who couldn't have wished for a better 64th birthday present, thanks to the players, but also, and above all, to their leader José Mourinho, who several days later celebrated his first year at Inter by extending his contract until 2012.

New horizons beckoned for the Nerazzurri and their new team-mates Diego Milito, Thiago Motta, Samuel Eto'o and Lucio, who were embraced by the warm Californian climate on 13 July when they arrived for the club's first ever pre-season in the USA. It was a unique experience for Mourinho's men, who were treated to more unforgettable emotions when they stepped onto the pitch in Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest stadium at eight o'clock on the eighth day of the eighth month, precisely a year after the start of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Super Cup was the curtain raiser for a spectacular start to the Serie A season which saw Inter, bolstered by the arrival of Sneijder, thrash AC Milan 4-0 in an extraordinary August derby which had a truly international appeal. Just like the Inter Campus World Cup in September, which saw young players from nineteen different countries come together in Tuscany.

While an increasingly solid Inter continued their march towards more trophies, there was also space for individual brilliance, as Dejan Stankovic showed us with his stunning goal from the halfway line in a 5-0 win away to Genoa. Unforgettable images, just like those that decorated the walls of Winterstore, the Nerazzurri universe that opened its doors on 27 November in the heart of Milan.

Inter were back on the road at the end of December with a winter training camp in Abu Dhabi before opening 2010 with an exhibition friendly against Al-Hilal in Riyadh to mark the farewell to football of Asian soccer legend Nawaf Al-Temyat.

The turn of the new year saw the arrival of two new champions: Mariga and Goran Pandev. For the Macedonian it was a return home, the same home that saw Ivan Ramiro Cordoba celebrate a decade at Inter and surpass the number of Serie A appearances for Inter made by the legendary Giuseppe Meazza. A record that stems from passion, the same passion shared by Massimo Moratti, who for the last fifteen years has followed in the footsteps of his father Angelo.

The long history of a boundless passion continues, in the same spirit of our founders who established FC Internazionale Milano on 9 March 1908.

Happy Birthday Inter.

INTER:

Catania - away

Palermo - away

Livorno - home

Roma - away

MILAN:

Chievo - home

Napoli - home

Parma - away

Lazio - home

ROMA:

Livorno - away

Udinese - home

Bologna - away

Inter - home

At Chelsea, at Palermo and at Roma.  It's time to get serious.

ROMA: Livorno(A), Udinese(H), Bologna(A), Inter(H), Bari(A), Atalanta(H), Lazio(A), Sampdoria(H), Parma(A), Cagliari(H) and Chievo(A)

MILAN: Chievo(H), Napoli(H), Parma(A), Lazio(H), Cagliari(A), Catania(H), Sampdoria(A), Palermo(A), Fiorentina(H), Genoa(A) and Juve(H).

INTER: Catania(A), Palermo(A), Livorno(H), Roma(A), Bologna(H), Fiorentina(A), Juve(H), Atalanta(H), Lazio(A), Chievo(H) and Siena(A).

Julio Cesar, two weeks after the terrible shock that is the car accident on the eve of Inter - Chelsea, said: "I was driving my car with my wife and a friend.  I wanted to speed up a little bit to hear the engine noise, and I went over a puddle and lost control of my car."

"I learned a lot from this incident because I knew I'd risked my life and put other people in danger.  I could throw it all away for something stupid.  A few days ago, I was sitting next to Lucio who was driving and I asked him to slow down because I was afraid of speed..."

No fear, however, the Brazilian is already thinking of Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea in the return of the knockout stages of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.  "On the way I conceded the goal was a bit strange, but in London I will do everything for us to qualify."

For the defender is 1.2 million euros per season, which will increase over the years.

Andrea Ranocchia - Inter, the wedding is approaching.  The agreement between Inter and Genoa for the passage of the central defender, whose season was unfortunately stopped abruptly due to a serious knee injury, now appears to heading home.  To the point there there are some leaked first details about the transaction.  As revealed by calciomercato.come in Genoa, the owner of the player, want straight up 15 million euros in cash (no mention of compensatory techniques).  The player, meanwhile, is engaged in finding a home in Milan.  Between late April and early May, the deal should be defined in its entirety.

Other news is that Ranocchia will earn the same amount of Mario Balotelli, who earned 1.2 million euros per season in his first contract and the salary will increase during the years.

MILAN - The morning after the 0-0 draw at home to Genoa, Inter president Massimo Moratti answered questions from journalists on his arrival at the Saras offices in Milan's city centre. This is what he had to say:

President, your opinion of last night's game?

"I don't think Inter started with the right character. It often happens that you don't make a good start and that's what happened in the first half. The second half was better, but one half is not enough to win a match."



Do you think the team was already thinking the Champions League match against Chelsea?


"No, I don't think so. There are still ten days before that match and I don't think this was the problem. I think we played with less character than usual."



The absence of José Mourinho on the bench was a very important aspect...

"It clearly counts. Mourinho's dynamism is transmitted directly to the players more easily from the bench."



Is it correct to say that you have missed a chance to take a decisive lead at the top?

"I don't think it would have been a big advantage, but it would certainly have meant some extra points. We will see what happens at the end."

Is it true that the club will offer a contract extension to Mario Balotelli?

"I don't think that anyone has spoken about this possibility, because Balotelli already has his contract. I don't know where this news came from."



Is Mauricio Pinilla a player who interests Inter?

"We were already interested in him... He was ours."

Zanetti during the game requested a change for him.

The Nerazzurri striker, Mario Balotelli, after 45 minutes of the first half was walking in the midfield, was slow, and disinterested.  Maicon and Eto'o went to him several times to wake him up but the situation for Mario, however, was not improved as Zanetti, as reported by Sky, had requested a substitution for him before the entry of Quaresma but he was the replacement for Stankovic.

At the game of the game, Sky has revealed the reason for the laziness by Mario is because, in reality, the Nerazzuri player had a fever of 101.3, a very high temperature.  At this point the question arises, why risking him at these conditions?

vs.

MILAN - There was no repeat of last October's 5-0 win at the Luigi Ferraris as Genoa held Inter to their third 0-0 draw in four Serie A games.

Keen to avoid a similar drubbing in the return fixture, the visitors matched the Nerazzurri blow for blow in an evenly-balanced first half that saw few shots on goal.

Julio Cesar was severely tested by Mesto in the early stages, and again by Sculli in time added on. Inter's best chance of the opening forty-five fell to Stankovic, whose crisp 20-yard drive was saved by Amelia.

Struggling to gain the upper hand, Inter reorganised in the second half with holding midfielders Muntari and Stankovic making way for Cordoba and Quaresma, and Eto'o replacing Pandev.

Zanetti, the only recognisable defensive midfielder on the pitch, switched from full-back to the centre of the park and Inter, top-heavy in attack, slipped through the gears.

Genoa were pinned back for much of the second half as Inter created plenty of chances coming forward. Balotelli had a shot saved and Milito fired wide from tight angles on both wings, with Sneijder narrowly missing from a free kick and Samuel nodding wide from a corner.

In the closing stages Milito thought he was through on goal from Eto'o's well-timed pass, but mysteriously the flag went up for offside with the replay showing El Principe to be in an onside position.

Inter 0-0 Genoa

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 4 Zanetti; 5 Stankovic (7 Quaresma 75), 11 Muntari (2 Cordoba 58); 45 Balotelli, 10 Sneijder, 27 Pandev (9 Eto'o 58); 22 Milito.

Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 17 Mariga, 23 Materazzi, 89 Arnautovic.


Coach: José Mourinho.

Genoa: 32 Amelia; 15 Papastathopoulos, 26 Bocchetti, 24 Moretti; 7 Rossi, 77 Milanetto, 21 Zapater, 4 Criscito; 14 Sculli (6 Palacio 62), 19 Suazo (17 Jankovic 53; 10 Palladino 68), 20 Mesto.


Subs not used: 73 Scarpi, 5 Kharja, 28 Juric, 40 Tomovic.

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Luca Banti (Livorno).

Booked: Criscito 11, Samuel 51, Balotelli 45+4.

Att.: 51,795.

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First off, can Muntari do something stupid so that the FIGC can suspend him?  What a fucking disgrace.  He was pissed off when he came out of the game.  Pissed off at what?  Being a shitty ass player.  Fucking disgrace!

This is what happened if you don't play full 90 minutes.  First half was astrocious and boring as hell.  Inter only started at around the 70th minute mark.  Gotta give credits to Genoa, they were extremely organized at the back.  Superb defensive display by them.

MILAN - Starting XIs for tonight's Serie A Week 27 clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (kick-off 20:45):

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 4 Zanetti; 5 Stankovic, 11 Muntari; 45 Balotelli, 10 Sneijder, 27 Pandev; 22 Milito.

Subs: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 7 Quaresma, 9 Eto'o, 17 Mariga, 23 Materazzi, 89 Arnautovic.

Coach: José Mourinho.

Genoa: 32 Amelia; 15 Papastathopoulos, 26 Bocchetti, 24 Moretti; 7 Rossi, 77 Milanetto, 21 Zapater, 4 Criscito; 14 Sculli, 19 Suazo, 20 Mesto.

Subs: 73 Scarpi, 5 Kharja, 6 Palacio, 10 Palladino, 17 Jankovic, 28 Juric, 40 Tomovic.

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Luca Banti (Livorno).

Prediction: Inter 2-1 Genoa

FORZA INTER

Inter put him on the list as one of the primary objectives to strengthen the left side, Mourinho wanted him in January because of the unfortunately injury of Chivu.  Now the situation is that Aleksander Kolarov remains one of the candidates for the left-back role for Inter again next season.  In Rome, Lazio side it is certain that the transfer of the Serbian to Inter will be almost inevitable in the summer.  Discontent inside the club of Lotito resulted in apparent nervousness of the player for failing to transfer to Inter in the winter session, when Pandev and Stankovic waited for him with open arms.  In fact, the news in today's Gazzetta dello Sport reported that for weeks Kolarov for sad and unhappy about the whole situation following the failure to move to Milan and even Reja has noticed.  And because of that his performance has been below par.

The full-back wanted at all costs to go to a big club and Lotito was the one that rejected the offers from Moratti, but in June the story will become narrowly topical.  Kolarov is worth about 15 million euros, Bayern Munich also interested in him but he is not attracted to them.  The player wants to stay in Italy and Inter remain his first choice.  But it will be a problem to find agreement with Lotito, just looking at Ledesma...

Inter lock down Mario

• Moratti doesn't want to risk of losing him.  And thinking about Pastore for 2011.

• For Balotelli, an extension is ready until 2015 with a doubled salary: will earn 2.5 million, plus bonus.

• "Balotelli is like Corso.  He will never leave Inter."

• Moratti replies to Borriello, that the newspaper reported that he wants Super Mario at Milan.  "Even Pele wanted the imagination..."  And for Balotelli, here comes a new contract.

Milan - Massimo Moratti has given orders to his closet collaborators to lock down Mario Balotelli.  A clear statement of position, which in fact also closes any internal debate and the offer for the striker is economically and technically important.  Between the lack of understanding with Mou, problems with the referees, and behavioral issues in general, these are the days - not too distant from one another - the club is considering to offer millions to the prodigy who is near the national team.  "From now on - joked the president - I only talk about 100 million or more for him."

To 2015 Balotelli to Moratti is like the past players Ronaldo and Recoba, players that were technically adored, loved, especially Chino.  Mario, linked to Inter until June 2013, will be offered an extension until 2015, with major economic adjustment with the contract signed back in August 2008.  He is making 1.2 million per season (rising with bonuses like appearances and goals), and Inter are now ready to offer 2.5 million plus bonuses.

Justify recognition In short, Balotelli's will be doubled.  The inevitable recognition for one who scored with a disarming continuity from the first minutes in football is important, and the player with a key role in the strongest team in Italy.  An extraordinary progression: his debut season he scored 7 goals (2007-2008), ten last year, already at 9 this season, despite spending time on the bench 16 times in 30 appearances, and the misery of playing 6 matches in completion.  Massimo Moratti was the one that keep an eye on him during his Primevera days.  He didn't lose any opportunities to say nice things to the baby of the Nerazzurri and after each and every game, he repeated the same sentence: "This is a phenomenon, I want to see him once in the first team."  That's why Moratti has special connection to him as one of his own.  Inter are making movement at the right time, maybe even a little bit in advance, the latest sign of showing respect to the player.  Anyway, better getting there before the potential call-up for South Africa, thus removing the danger of the Article 17, the road that Mario could theoretically go in the summer of 2011.

Fabregas and Pastore When Balotelli is locked down, then no further action will be necessary at the striker position.  And instead, technical director, Marco Branca will focus mainly on the transfer market for midfielders.  Fabregas is the number one objective, and to get the Spanish, Inter could have to make a fierce sacrifice (Maicon?).  Then, eyes will be on Kolarov,  Finally, Massimo and Angelomario Moratti will prepare for Marco Branca a major economic plan to bring to Milan Javier Pastore in 2011.  Massimo Moratti likes the young Argentine trequartista and he intends to act with the utmost respect for Zamparini, who recently has announced that the boy is staying for at least another season.

Enrico Preziosi in the pages of the Corriere dello Sport, the president of Genoa, opponent of Inter on Sunday, is an ally on the transfer market with Massimo Moratti, who lately has woven with many business and is launching another operations.  "Moratti was friendly and accommodating.  He deserves all the rewards in the sport because he has continued to invest for the club even when they perform very well."  A sentence on Mou: "I like him as a coach.  One defends and protects the team.  Bravo Mou."

Moratti and Mourinho will not give him grief on Sunday but Milito will.  The Argentine is a symbol for the president of Genoa.  "The heart of Diego is the one that I would never have sold.  His tears after he saw the banner in his last match with us ("Better to lose you than never found you") is for me his best memory.  He has given us so much joy, goals and wins and when he returned to Genoa the fans love him so much." 

In terms of the market, there is a specific player that Inter and Genoa are dealing with, namely Andrea Ranocchia, now on loan at Bari but currently injured.  "Two years ago, when he was playing in Serie C, I invested 5 million on him and now he is playing for the National team.  Juve want him but at this time, Inter have the lead.  The guy is burning the time to return right away.  He is followed by a great team."  Also speaking about another defender just arrived from Inter last summer, Leonardo Bonucci.  "I doubt that Inter will take him back after they surrendered him.  Juve are interested, but there is nothing strange: after Nesta and Ranocchia, he is the best around.  We are yet in the transfer market, we need to sell on strength."

Serie A: The national coach likes the Inter's back-four.

Dunga: "With those three back there it is very difficult to score goals.  For Brazil and for Inter."

Super Inter defense

Ensures by Dunga

Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio and the Argentine Samuel

For the Brazilian coach, Inter are safe.

Milan - It all started this week, in this round, Inter "lost" 13 players and saw 12 used (only Milito remained on the bench).

When a national coach speaks Carlos Dunga and Jose Mourinho have at least one thing in common, the particular attention devoted to the care of the defense, and the Nerazzurri can ensure the solidity of the Selecao with Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio, to walk away from the game once again conceded zero goals.  "Trust me, with those three back there, for a defense, any defense is very very difficult to score goals." said the coach in London the morning after Brazil - Republic of Ireland, which saw a punctual Julio Cesar, an overflowing Maicon and Lucio who was beside him.  "His secret is that he is a winner in the air, because Lucio is accustomed to winning.  He will help Inter and they can help him to improve mentally."  For what Dunga has seen on Tuesday,  Mourinho also has hope for the game in London against Chelsea.  Let's not forget that, on Wednesday evening, Walter Samuel's Argentina won in a friendly against Germany.  Walter Samuel was the key in that game and should be a starter in the World Cup. 

Man I feel bad for him.  A ton of talents but unfortunately he is playing with Eto'o, Milito, Balotelli and Pandev.  Interisti wish you the best kid.

The popular comedian: "I would like to be reincarnated like him."

A great merit for Mourinho? Without him, football would be a bore.  This is the opinion of the comic Dario Vergassola, the protagonist of "Talk to me" on Rai 3.  The satirist, a Sampdoria supporter, admits to haveing a particular admiration for the Inter coach, to the point of wanting to be reincarnated in him.

"Mourinho is elegant and fascinating, I remember that the commander of a Russian submarine during the Cold War ran aground off the coast of Norway, but came to head high with a coat that looked like Giusspe Verdi," Vergassola admitted.

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I don't know what the last part means.