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GRANDE SMALL INTER

After suffering the penalty kicks, celebration erupts for Inter.

1. The group with the cup: at top left corner, there was also Ernesto Paolillo.

2. Di Gennaro saves the third penalty which was Veltman's.

3. Inter are in paradise and Stramaccioni is launched into the air.

Di Gennaro: 8

Saved Veltman's penalty which has allowed Inter to make history.  Great.

Pecorini: 7.5

The fullback invented by Stramaccioni, was the water source that flowed the goal for Inter.

Longo: 7.5

Scored 6 goals in NextGen Series.  He was able to find space fantastically for the 1-0.

Bessa: 7.5

In difficulty, he always tried to trigger the sparks.  What a delicious assist for Longo's goal.

STRAMACCIONI'S BOYS CONQUER EUROPE

The Nerazzurri scored with Longo, Ajax equalized, then stayed in 10 men: the victory came from the spot.

London - Grandissima Inter.  Even stronger than Ajax, stronger than referee's errors (the red against M'Baye was excessive, also wrongly called to retake a saved PK).  Able to build their chances, stay after it, score the goal and fight.  Even with ten men.  At the end, all had to be decided from the spot just like Torneo di Viareggio but this time, things went smoothly.  Inter win the first edition of NextGen Series, the Champions League for youngsters, and do so with an extraordinary authority.  It is a well deserved award for the club which has invested a lot in its youth system.  It is a reward for a marvelous group, united and quality.  It is a reward for a coach, Andrea Stramaccioni, who has shaped this club and now has won a very prestigious title in his first year (the 9th of his coaching career).  What came from London is also a signal, loud and clear: Italian football has had thousand of faults, but still has much to teach those outside its borders.

Waiting The first half was very tactical, maybe not too exciting but with good football.  Inter and Ajax have different characteristics and that is what we saw.  The Dutch were able to confirm two things: the ability to play as a team that knows how to dribble very well.  Inter, at the start, decided to not risk too much and took care of the ball.  As a result, Inter, for long stretches, were not near the opopnent's nose, so much so that Stramaccioni did try to invent something by shifting Bessa to the center of the attack with Longo and Livaja very wide.  Ajax were very dangerious with a freekick by Fischer which ended just over the bar (14th minute) and with a volley by Klaassen which hit the post (16th).  The first chance for Inter was created after the half hour mark: a beautiful exchange between Bessa and Longo, with the Brazilian's shot blocked by Fischer.  That Fischer there, he is a gem.  Just before halftime, Pecorini, the player who started to play for Inter at just nine years old, kicked off the action for the goal.  As a result of his constant pressing on the opposite side of his position, he was able to win the ball back and send it over to Bessa.  The Brazilian, without even looking, provided a great assist for Longo and consequently for the 1-0. 

Personality Ajax equalized right after at the beginning of the second half with a beautiful free kick from 20 meters out by Denswil.  The game then experienced long periods of equilibrium, with the defenses always being attentive and with a few shots on goal.  A collision during the game, bad, but not horrible between M'Baye and Veltman led to the red for the Senegalese.  But Inter held firm, and brought the game into extra time.  Ajax then hit the crossbar twice with Klaassen and Denswil but Inter also mimicked it with Crisetig and Longo.  Romano also had at his feet the winning ball but he shot right at the keeper.  It was a chilling final minutes with De Bondt's goal ruled out for offside and Hasnaoui's shot saved by Di Gennaro.  Then came the penalty shootout.  This time, it went smoothly.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

"THIS IS THE NIGHT. A GOAL FOR ME AND A VICTORY FOR INTER."

"This time, it is Juventus who have more to lose but we are going to have to run as much as they are."

Appiano Gentile - Moratti wants a spark on Sunday in Turin.

"And he is right.  There are ten games remaining and we need a streak of good results, victories."

Just like those seven straight wins from December to January?

"With seven straight wins, many things could happen.  This is a strange season: winning can help our mentality but it can also help in the standings."

Yes, but continue talking about the third spot isn't a bit delusional?

"The table is very clear but we can do it for two reasons.  One: we still have some head-to-head matchups with some teams in front of us and they are Udinese and Lazio.  The second: it's never good to have Inter right on your shoulders, I believe some teams are afraid.  So despite everything, we can still do it."

Few highlights this year?

"It is easy to say the Milan derby and the game against Juve in Turin could be another one.  But I have fond memories the game against Lille and in some ways we were perfect: he ran, aggressive and with tactical organization.  A good example for Sunday night because it is up to us and our football more than Juve: patiently waiting, stealing the ball and counterattacking them with 5-6 people."

They will also have the home crowd behind them.

"That's true but maybe it is good for us: the home crowd could drive them to go all out attacking us and that could leave some space behind.  They have had some draws at their home no?"

If on Sunday night, a similar speech like Julio Cesar's at half time of Inter-Catania is needed, what would you say?

"I would say two things: we need to play for ourselves and for our honor."

To use another phrase dear to you: against Juve, will need a cool head and warm heart?

"The heart will be warm for strength, the problem is likely to be what in our head: we must use it well."

Inter or Juve have more to lose?

"Juve.  They are playing for the league title and so pressure is on them and we know that well.  They must win with force and in addition, Milan will play one day before them and they could have even more pressure."

Who would you relish to see lifting the Scudetto: Juve or Milan?

"I would relish to see how it ends after we have beaten them both."

After the Coppa Italian match with Milan, do you expect a fired up Juve or a tired one?

"Maybe a little bit tired no?  But they are going to play with 120 degree of intensity so we have to keep up and run as much as them."

You will also see your friend Vucinic.

"Yes, but I am not surprised that much.  I played with him in the national team and I know him well.  I also knew that he would return to be a great player.  Happy for him.  Too much criticism for him and he doesn't deserve it."

Advice to your defenders?

"Always watch the ball.  He is not going to need much space to invent an assist.  Maybe three or four must follow him.

Now he has also begun to score as opposed to a certain Stankovic.

"True, but I still have two more matches available and maybe on Sunday is my chance.  Throughout my career, I have never finished a season without scoring at least a goal: never.  It does not seem possible that it could happen this year: no, I do not want to think about it."

And what about your future after May 13?  Have you thought about that?

"Not now but at the end of the season.  I will talk with management and compare our ideas, our intentions.  If they think that Stankovic can still be at the level of Inter and needed at Inter then it would be an honor to stay for the other two years of my contract.  Otherwise, no problems: I will just give everybody a big thank you."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN

Inter-Juve, it is a turnaround one year later.

A season ago at matchday 28, the Nerazzurri were second and the Bianconeri were seven.  Today, reversed places.

Eto'o with 18 league goals by matchday 28.  Forlan, Castaignos, Zarate with three total.

Milan - The world is always rotating and do you want to know what happened a season ago?  By matchday 28, Milan were first with 61 points, Inter second at 56 and Juve seventh with 41.  So?  So let's look at the standings now on the exact matchday: Milan again are in the lead, but this difficult period of Inter has reversed the situation between them and Juve because the Nerazzurri today have 41 and 56 for the Bianconeri.  The first one is in seventh place, the second is, well, second.  World is upside down, even the points.

Ratings Juve, then, had Gigi Delneri on the bench and on this matchday, they lost 1-0 against Milan at home.  Inter, however, were coached by Leonardo and it seemed to be a perfect machine, or at least almost.  On March 6 which was matchday 28, the Nerazzurri beat Genoa 5-2 and realized how the world then was also different in player ratings: Maicon got a 7 just like Pandev.  One of them is one and the other one is not always himself.  Then there was the phenomenon Eto'o who got a 8.5 by scoring a brace, one of which was a fantastic goal.  Even Sneijder seemed to be Sneijder with a 7 in rating.  In short, it was not an anesthetized Inter, while there was this Juve who were looking to get out of crisis with Martinez, Toni and Felipe Melo.

Eto'o worth 6 times as much And speaking of Samuel Eto'o: at the end of match day 28, the Lion King had scored (not including Cup competitions) 18 goals.  18 in 25 because he missed three games due to a suspension (headbutted Cesar in Chievo-Inter on matchday 13).  Well, in comparison with those 18 goals, today Inter are seeing only three goals from Zarate (0), Forlan (2) and Castaignos (1).  In short, Eto'o is worth six times more than these three players combined.  A stunning evidence.

Storms Now, apart from Eto'o's departure, Juve and Inter now occupy the opposite end of the league on the same matchday.  A season later, Juve have gotten a new coach and in the Coppa Italia final and are still fighting for the Scudetto.  Inter, however, have had two coaches with the last one is still living off the victory in Verona between the storms that are shaking the Nerazzurri for over a month.  A year ago, Juve couldn't reach Europa League and Inter went to the front door of the Champions League with Leonardo and won the Club World Cup with Rafa Benitez.  Twelve months later, Inter are at risk of being left out of Europe like the last time it happened in 1999-2000.  Juve now are at a striking distance from Milan but with ten more matches from season's end, they are pretty much in the race for the title.  A few more days until Juve-Inter on Sunday.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

HERE'S EURO-REVENGE

THE NERAZZURRINI IN THE FINAL

Stramaccioni's Inter played well and dominated Marseille.

Goals by Crisetig and Longo.  Sunday against Ajax for the title.

Lorenzo Crisetig: 7.5

Perfect freekick to start the match.  He was the true leader in the midfield.  Stramaccioni was right when he emphasized Crisetig's humility.  He's part of the first team, but when he plays with the Primavera he gives it all and doesn't take advantage of his first team status.

Joseph Duncan: 7.5

A giant in every sense.  Physically strong, never wrong and also intelligent when he made runs to the spaces.  He deserved a goal.  He deserved a goal, first when he completed a nice pass and go combination with Longo and in the second half when he went so close to the top corner and he just missed.

Samuele Longo: 7.5

He is a striker with great movement, never stops for one moment, but also has great techniques.  Was able to squeeze a goal.  Perfect understanding with his teammates in Bessa and Livaja and enhanced the quality.

Brenford - But this is the "small" Inter.  No, this is a great Inter, made up by a bunch of players without a glorious past, it is true, but with a great future ahead if they continue their growing process.  The Nerazzurrini on Sunday at 13:30 local time, Leyton's stadium, will challenge a very strong Ajax side, trying to win the NextGen Series, the Champions League of youngsters.  The authoritative way in which Inter crumbled Marseille which is far more impressive than the result, shows that anything is possible.  Although Ajax are the favorite for the simple fact of having beaten Barcelona 3-0 in Spain and 6-0 against Liverpool, the last two matches of the elimination rounds, and have one of the best youth systems in Europe.

No history The strength - tactical, technical, physical and mental - that Inter demonstrated, helped them play to the limit of perfection in the first half in front of a large group of Italian fans.  And scoring a goal right away also certainly helped, but the team coached by Stramaccioni was not limited to live off of that.  Crisetige, after just 67 seconds, struck a goal from 22 meters away and beat keeper Sy, born in '95.  That freekick was just under the crossbar.  From that moment on, it was all downhill from there.  Inter always were the team with the best football while Marseille demonstrated its inconsistency in the attack and very vulnerable in defense.  Inter played on the ground, no long ball, built chances for themselves and the two goal margin in which Inter closed the first half was just a minimum bonus in comparison to what they really deserved.  To be clear, there was not a moment where Marseille could get a goal.  Perhaps with Gadi and Omrani - two gems that stayed in France for Deschamps - the story would have been different, who knows...  But, beyond the limits of the French, Inter were very good.  And this victory is pretty much thanks to Stramaccioni.  He was well prepared, tactically, as well as was able to motivate the group.  Maybe it is no coincidence that his name is also on the list for the first team.

Security So the goal by Crisetig at the very start boosted the team's security.  Inter also had other chances to score in the first half: Livaja at the 5th minute, Longo at the 27th and 30th, Bessa at 32nd, Duncan at 35th.  But at the 41st minute in the first half, Bessa made a great play and found Longo for the 2-0.  What about Marseille? The freekick by Pommier which was rejected by Di Gennaro and that was it.  Inter could save precious energy for the game on Sunday.  Duncan and Longo could have made it 3-0 while the French put a little pressure in the final minute.  Now only three days to prepare for the final.  And to write history.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

MORATTI, LAST WARNING TO INTER

"Wake up!  Ranieri stays.  Now the spark with Juve."

The president: "The coach does no harm.  Oriali left unpleasantly.  If I keep Branca it is because he is good."

Milan - For now equilibrium prevails.  For now.  "Ranieri stays: he is a serious and responsible person.  He does no harm," said Massimo Moratti.  The Inter number one also chooses to send a strong warning to a club in constant trouble.  "Forlan said that we must return to winning ways?  He's right, winning a match like one in Turin can also change the situation.  They all must wake up and then I hope for a spark that can really push us: sometimes a win would be enough to reverse the route."  He then left his office shortly before 8:00 pm.  Was about to get into the car, he stopped, adjusted his glasses and began repartee.  He looked calm: serenity more evident and real than apparent.

President, were you thinking of the upcoming plot twists with your silence and escape after Inter-Atalana?

"But... I did not run away from the San Siro.  I only left when there were few minutes before the end of the game.  At the break, I got to the dressing room to try something new.  Did I do it for good luck?  No, no..."

Tell us, is Ranieri staying?
"You cannot take three days to make decisions which affect the future.  There is a risk and if we rush it, your plans could get ruined, everything.  Ranieri is a serious, classy and responsible person.  He is not the one that does the damage to the club.  In short: Ranieri remains, his post is safe."

In the meantime: do you have in mind the coach for the future?

(Smiles) "In the moment, I only have Ranieri in mind."

This team has not won at home since January 22, still see the soul?
"I think that this team has been through many situations and those less beautiful, they know how to handle such moments."

What is your position on Forlan case?  Have you spoken with the player and the coach?
"Yes, I have talked to both, first with the player and then with Ranieri.  It is not something serious but mostly what I think happened is a consequence of the relationship that exists between them a candid relationship."

Certainly not like Eto'o who played as a left-back...

"We'll leave the comparison with Eto'o aside: in that season, the situation was different and he was winning everything..."

Does the the world luck has anything to do with Inter today?

"I don't think talking about bad luck is appropriate. Sure, sometimes it gets in the way, but if you always see it as the main reason, well in the long run, it's gonna sound like you're making excuses."

Then there is a duel between your former director Gabriele Oriali and the current technical director Marco Branca?

"I always find it annoying that a person that is no longer at the club said those things...  If I keep Branca it is because I consider him good."

Sunday, Juventus-Inter: a spark to turn the season around?
"Maybe, certainly I hope so, a win could be an important spark.  Sometimes a game can reverse course, it can really become the shock of the season that we need."

Tell us the truth: the coach for next year is Italian or a foreigner?

"Good evening eh..."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

FIVE WAYS FOR A NEW INTER

VILLAS BOAS - The Portuguese is liked at Inter and now costs less...

Formation - Prefers to set up the team with the 4-3-3, with fast wingers.

Key man - Lucas, 19 years old, is a Brazilian attacker from Sao Paulo.

Andre Villas Boas at 34 years old has already experienced the most amazing experiences.  And always on top.  The apprenticeship at Inter with his now former teacher Jose Mourinho.  Then, the incredible ride with Porto which led to the interest of Moratti but then he was taken by Roman Abramovich.  So the young prodigy came to Chelsea and Stamford Bridge where his ideas did not match with the habits of the historical group: coincidentally shaped by Jose.  So it cracked.  With the recent dismissal to sanction a failure, at Inter, this cannot go unnoticed.  The interest in the young Portuguese is still alive but there's caution.

Lucas To his credit, the relationship born during his time at Inter is a positive one.  Villas Boas knows the need of Moratti and shares the ideas of Branca as well as Ausilio.  An example? The investment for Lucas from Sao Paulo has his endorsement.  The Brazilian is viewed as the center piece for a younger project at Inter and with the time needed a wave of new Inter players can take place.

Idea attack With Porto winning the Europa League, we saw a Villas Boas went for the 4-3-3 courageously and often spectacular.  At Chelsea, other problems emerged but it is clear that his tone is in line with the expectations of Moratti.  So his candidacy should be taken into consideration.  This time there are no clauses and if Andre takes a discount on salary...  One thing is certain: Inter cannot guarantee the 5 million annually like Abramovich.  Not to mention that Allegri and Mazzarri currently have the highest salary with 2.5 million apiece.

BLANC - Contacts with Moratti.  Will decide in June.

Formation - Prefers to play with the 4-2-3-1 with three technical finishers.

Key man - Yann M'Vila, 21 years old, is the director on the field of Rennes and France.

He played in Italy for three years, two of which he was at Inter.  He understands the landscape of Italy, football and more.  He knows Massimo Moratti perfectly.  In France, he has demonstrated the quality and management capabilities for three seasons with Bordeaux and thanks to that - won a Ligue 1, one French Cup and two French Super Cups - he became the national team coach for France: here is Laurent Blanc, a charismatic and highly rated coach. 

Go or renew? With the national team he has a contract until the end of the upcoming Euro, a contract that for many people will not be renewed: in France, word is that his true objective is not to leave but to renew until 2014, a will is not sufficiently accompanied by the conviction of the FFF, the French Football Federation.  So it is not clear what he wants to do whether to consider the interest from Inter or focus on renewing with France.  To many people and sources, he will leave after the Euro.

Contacts and formation Blanc and Moratti have heard from each other, in the recent past.  But only for something else and not for football, ensures those who leave filter certain whispers.  Blanc likes to implement his game in two formations: 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, all in accordance to the team he faces.  He has the football eyes that are very sensitive to youngsters.

M'Vila, the favorite And speaking of youngsters, here is Yann M'Vila: a director on the field in front of the defense with power, vision and personality.  In the national team, Blanc views him as untouchable or immovable.  M'Vila is valued at 25 million euros and at the end of this season, he will leave Rennes and Inter have followed him for at least two years.  With the will to buy.

MAZZARRI - If Napoli free him, he can jump to pole position.

Formation - In recent years, he has been choosing the 3-4-1-2 and 3-4-2-1.

Key man - Lavezzi, 26 years old, the Argentinian attacker at Napoli since 2007.

An Italian driver for Inter? For the league, it especially points at Walter Mazzarri.  The coach from San Vincenzo at Napoli has proven his winning ways.  The rest of his career is marked by success.  The rise in 2007 to 2009 with Sampdoria which was after the miracles with Livorno that got the immediate promotion to A and the many times that he saved Reggio Calabria which was penalized nine points at one time.  Safe hands, in short.  With an innate gift: a practical sense.  A quality that just recently Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed: "Mazzarri always knows how to get his players perform."  And that compliment is proof that the club has no intention to meet the expectations of Moratti. 

Previously A year ago, around the same time, Juve were thinking of Mazzarri after Delneri.  And that meant a real upheaval for the Azzurri.  But then the crisis ended with the decision to renew the contract until 2013.  And now De Laurentiis can build on that signature to keep his coach.  So Moratti is not going to make any risky moves but his words on Friday in Verona show that the appreciation for Mazzarri is very real: so if Napoli change their mind...

Suggestion Pocho The feeling for Mazzarri is not isolated.  Already last summer, the club had tried to talk to De Laurentiis about Pocho Lavezzi.  But history might repeat itself again.  Especially if there's green light for Mazzarri.  His 3-4-1-2 is very versatile.

BIELSA - Idol of the Argentinians.  Very difficult.

Formation - Guardiola considers him as his inspiration: works with an offensive 4-3-3.

Key man - Mauricio Isla, 23 years old, Chilean, is the right winger of Udinese.

Marcelo Bielsa was first on the list.  It was the end of June when Massimo Moratti called him to take the place of the outgoing Leonardo.  Unfortunate, the coach from Rosario had already engaged with Athletic Bilbao, a three-year project clearly focused on his teaching of football.  A lot of people were unsure of this appointment, but not for him.  His fame in South America has grown over the years with clubs like Newell's Old Boys and Velez Sarsfield.  In 1998, Argentina decided to appoint him as the national team coach.  And he just couldn't refuse.  The results weren't great however but for the players, he was a master: his teachings on the field captivated everyone. 

The new constraint Certainly it will not be easy to take him away from Spain.  After getting the no in the summer since he already committed to Athletic Bilbao, now il Loco is in a paradox situation.  The condition is not the two-year contract with Bilbao but all the success of these months.  Will Moratti, this time, be able to convince him?

His sponsors Surely the Argentinians at Inter will be all for his formation of 4-3-3 which is dynamic, flexible and very attacking.  Just like with Chile and now at Bilbao, the two wingers in the midfield are truly the two attacking wingers.  He intended that with Sanchez and Isla for Chile and now Munain at Bilbao.  And all at a dizzying pace.  In short, Marcelo Bielsa, at 56 years old, is a leader with the right experience to take such a responsibility at Inter.

PRANDELLI - Appreciated for many years.  But he is the national coach until 2014.

Formation - He has designed the new Italy with the 4-3-1-2, with a diamond midfield.

Key man - Giuseppe Rossi, 25 years old, Villarreal striker.

Cesare Prandelli, the Italian national team coach, is one of those names that Massimo Moratti has always thought about.  Positively of course.  He has always shaped the youngsters everywhere he has gone from Verona to Parma, Florence and to the Azzurri.  And for all this, he is in the crosshairs of the Inter president who would like to have a team that will not abandon all its seniors but will also have younger blood in order to give the right mixture to force a great return to Italy and Europe. 

Contract Cesare Prandelli has a contract with the FIGC until 2014 and this is the great barrier between him and the thinking of Moratti: certainly, we will see how his adventure at the Euro will turn out but there is not doubt that the former Fiorentina coach has done a very good job in combining quality with results and so the Inter president will not interfere with the projects that FIGC has.  Fascinating hypothesis but difficult, so we will have to wait for the end of Poland-Ukraine 2012.

Game and player Ball on the ground and diamond midfield: is the current formation that has made Italy achieving qualification, but it is important to remember that in his career, he has always relying the defense of four from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1.  The one point of focus for his national team is Giuseppe Rossi, a humble, imaginative and versatile player: the kind that Inter have in mind.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport