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MILAN-INTER IN BEIJING FOR THE SUPER CUP

For the Dutch, this is the last act of his Italian adventure but watch out for Eto'o: the mega offer from the Russians is coming and Moratti could get 30 million.  On front of incoming transfers, in addition to Tevez, Moratti is also looking at Kucka and one of Lucas and Casemiro.

THE ART OF DERBY

Milan against Inter: a Super Cup under the Great Wall.

The ball-possession, the conquest of the wings, incursions, the climate domination: those were taught by the Chinese general Sun Tzu and it will decide the game.

Beijing - Jose Mourinho, who was with his Real Madrid in nearby Tianjin, contacted the team yesterday by sending text messages of encouragement to his old troops.  It was the sound from a friend.  Tonight, Gian Piero Gasperini, new commander of Inter, will attack Milan of Allegri in the Bird's Nest stadium for his first "titulo": the Italian Super Cup.  Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese general also an author of the most famous military treatise ("The Art of War") helps us to understand this game.

Possession "Whoever occupies the battleground first and awaits the enemy will be tranquil," Sun Tzu teaches.  Possession: was the weapon that won Milan the derby on April 2.  Those who felt less tired of chasing the ball and the dribblers.  So we will try again.  Gasperini will restart by looking at that defeat of Leonardo with Motta and Cambiasso got slaughtered without coverage with three strikers plus Sneijder (4-2-3-1).  For tonight there is going to be one striker (Eto'o), Sneijder in support and five men in the middle (3-5-2): Zanetti, Motta, Stankovic, Alvarez, and Obi.  The Rossoneri will struggle to have the ball and dribble.  The dam of Inter will prevent Seedorf and the genius of Pato and Ibrahimovic.

Wings Gasp will also follow another teaching of Sun Tzu: "Attack the central with force, but you win on the sides."  The wings have also been strengthened with Zanetti on the right and Obi on the left to respond to Abate's advances.  Or if Stankovic could not make it then the youngster Faraoni could occupy the right, Zanetti in the middle and with Motta to form the five-man midfield.  With or without Zanetti, it will be a midfield like that.  It is quite unusual compared to the summer friendlies.  Alvarez could be the first to start the action for Inter with Sneijder and Eto'o up front.

• Possession: Seedorf-Sneijder - "Whoever occupies the battleground first and awaits the enemy will be at peace."

• Counterattack: Pato-Eto'o - "The swooping falcon breaks the body of its prey into two."

• Incursions: Boateng-Alvarez - "Attack the enemy where he is not prepared, do sorties when he is not expected."

Counters Inter in an emergency will play like this: a robust garrison, patient, quick movements to allow Sneijder and Eto'o to take advantage of their talent in open spaces.  The temptation of the last minute for Gasperini could be Pandev, who is more fit and in form compared to Alvarez or Pazzini along side Eto'o with Sneijder behind them.  As Sun Tzu recalls: "The swooping falcon breaks the body of its prey into two."  Eto'o will be just that with Nesta and Thiago Silva chasing him.

Incursions Here is another old teaching of Sun Tzu: "Discipline is achieved through training.  Well trained troops will be obedient."  This one is for Allegri.  Gasperini has had little time to train with the three-man defense, for example.  The goals scored as well as the canceled ones by City have shown that it is too easy to enter into the defense of Inter.  Here Milan will insert Ibrahimovic with great timing in the offense.  "Attack the enemy where he is not prepared, make sorties with the troops when it is not expected."  Pato, who was lethal on April 2, but also Boateng knows how to come out of nowhere when you need it the most.  Just like Sun Tzu said: "Inscrutable as fog, sudden as thunder."

Climate The wise general/philosopher devotes much attention to the context of the battle: "Exploiting nature will put your army in an advantage."  Heat and humidity in the nest of hell tonight.  Solution of Sun Tzu: "If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near."  After stretches of running and struggles to regroup, one may find himself out of breath.  Certainly, in this sauna, the grafts from the bench affect more than usual.  A fresh twist of a Robinho or a Pandev could make history.  Inter are the underdog because of many absences and they are a work in progress.  So here is the advice from Sun Tzu: "Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance."  Inter are the underdog but also more hungry for this.  With wounded pride from the last derby they would, therefore, be more willing to suffer in a game that requires physical effort and moral resistance to the soul when the body goes into reserves.  So thanks to Sun Tzu, we remember that today a game will be played not a war.  And besides we are only on August 6.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport