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"Yes, we have met with Inter management and have been offered a contract extension.  We discussed a contract renewal for two season, with an option for the third year."  That was Victor Becali, Cristian Chivu's agent, who spoke with a Romanian TV about the future of his client.  Inter have offered to renew the defender but nothing is decided yet.

Becali continues: "We also have contacts with other teams, there are offers for Cristian from France, Germany and Spain so if the agreement could not be reached with Inter then we would know where to turn to.  There is interest for him and in two weeks will come a clear and precise response."

Source: FC Inter News

ONE MONTH OF APPLAUSE

Strama in 30 days has changed Inter and recovered 10 points.

Frequently in disadvantage, the group reacts because has a style of play and an objective.

Appiano Gentile - Ten points recovered in six games and now they are tied for third place.  Yes, it is true that Lazio have done a harakiri but this Inter team who was recently very depressed is turning things around and currently is very fired up in the possible of making a great comeback.  The numbers to glorify Inter in the first month of Andrea Stramaccioni are many including a point per game average better than that of Antonio Conte.  Yet the 36 year-old coach from San Giovanni is not using any magic spells to restore the season for Inter.  The turning point, which still has to be completed because the opponents are getting tougher now, instead came due to many factors that are related with one another in a sort of domino effect.

• -7 - April 1 Inter 5-4 Genoa: The beginning of Stramaccioni was full of fireworks.  Three goals in the first half (a double by Milito and one for Samuel), then three penalties against and another decisive Milito.

• -9 - April 7 Cagliari 2-2 Inter: In Trieste, the Strama effect was deflated.  The Nerazzurri got behind two times: first Milito and then Cambiasso right after Pinilla's goal.

• -6 - April 11 Inter 2-1 Siena: D'Agostino shut the Meazza up just after a few minutes.  With calmness however, the Nerazzurri were able to turn things around.  Milito's brace and a win.

• -6 - April 22 Fiorentina 0-0 Inter: After the death of Morosini, everybody returned on the field.  In Florence, Julio Cesar saved a penalty taken by Ljajic.  Lazio also drew their game so the gap remained unchanged.

• -3 - April 25 Udinese 1-3 Inter: On the 33rd matchday, there was another comeback by Inter.  Danilo startled, Sneijder (a brace) and Alvarez reversed it.  And Lazio lost in Novara.

• 0 - April 29 Inter 2-1 Cesena: The script did not change: the opponent went ahead with Ceccarelli and then Obi and Zarate gave Inter the win.  Reached third spot with Napoli, Udinese and Lazio.

Empowered The mere advent of a coach so young has effectively empowered all.  Starting with the old guard. The former Inter coach Claudio Ranieri used to say: "Thi is a distorted season, everything is against us and our opponents score with the first chance they get."  This way of thinking is to defend the group and Ranieri had created a sort of great alibi that were proven to be a boomerang.  Playing more proactive If Ranieri was a repairman, Stramaccioni has been an innovator judiciously.  Not because he distorted the DNA of the team like it was said about Gasperini.  Strama is convinced of his own ideas and has been able to go forward with them by playing the game more proactively. And in this sense, the debut victory against Genoa was a decisive one.  Because with those three points, the team could see their common objective again.  Under Ranieri, Inter found themselves in limbo without ever risking relegation but not really believing in Europe.  Unconsciously they accepted that the season was really "cursed."  Playing well in a few stretches (against Juve for an hour, it was the best Inter of the season), but deflating more often than not.  His success also has a lot of help from those who have recovered from injuries like Guarin, Maicon and Sneijder.  Especially the Dutch who can make a big difference in those sensitive matches like one in Udine.  Ranieri did not have him for a long time.  But luck ends up and becomes a merit.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

INTER WANT BUT AT A DISCOUNT

With a great finale, Moratti will talk with Lazio to re-discuss for a discount figure.

And he tweeted: "First it was hard to play well without attacking."

Milan - No, it is not a joke: right at this moment, Mauro Zarate is almost closer to stay at Inter than going back to Lazio.  The story is this: during the last day of the summer transfer market in 2011, Moratti acquired Maurito on loan for 2.7 million with the right to purchase fixed at 16 million.  A huge figure.  Mauro then scored the decisive goal in Moscow in the Champions League but that was it which resulted a thought that by the end of the year, he would return to Lazio and they all would be friends again like before.  However, there is a raft for his shipwreck and it is called Stramaccioni one that says "show us who you really are."  Zarate's response? Three positive games, one goal, with an average rating of 6.5.  Moral: at the end of the year, Inter will talk to Lazio.  Perhaps to buy him at a lighter and discounted price.

More of this for next season?

Always present Within a month, Zarate has been reborn.  During the early part of the Ranieri era, Zarate was always on the field.  It was almost like throwing darts and then, he was nowhere to be seen.  Disappeared from the stands to the bench.  Then came Stramaccioni and with him, the turning point.  Zarate has played in all three games.  Scored a goal against Genoa and has become an important player in the attack.

Without attack On March 18, he turned 25 years old but it seemed like nothing can change during those days.  But with the loss in Turin against Juventus, Inter sacked Ranieri.  It was the change of sensations - before and after - as Mauro said on Twitter.  Ranieri was sacked on March 26 and then two days later Mauro tweeted, "I will give everything on the field for this team, whether it's 20, 60, or 90 minutes, I will give my best and then at the end we'll see."  On April 1, he scored a goal against Genoa and on April 13, he responded to a friend who wrote to him about his reborn.  And response is an applause for Stramaccioni and an criticism to Ranieri: "Thank you, it was difficult to play well without attacking."  Very clear.

Re-discuss That said, here is the future: Inter are waiting to see if his resurrection is true and then decide what to do about him with the future coach.  Certainly, the combination with Stramaccioni has worked for now and Massimo Moratti is not willing to pay 16 million to redeem his card.  So? Assuming that Reja stays at Lazio coach, Zarate will not return.  Mauro will be back to Rome at the end of the season and Inter and Lazio - if resurrection is real - will again sit at a table.  The most likely hypothesis would be a discussion of a fixed price at 8 million euros.  A few more weeks to know more.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

STRAMA IDEA

Confirmation is ready if he wins the derby and brings Inter to Europe.

The coach to secure the bench for the future in case of third spot.

But even Europa League and beating Milan would make him the favorite for next year.

Appiano Gentile - Today we are talking about an undefeated coach.  Three games and zero losses.  Seven points and nine goals scored.  Team has also allowed seven goals but at least the team seems to be alive with pride.  That is the story of today, tomorrow who knows.  But it has been a good start for Strama.  We are six matches away until the season's end and everything is at stake including the Inter bench for next season.  Stramaccioni is making his case to be considered as one of the candidates including Bielsa, Prandeli, Villas Boas in the casting of Moratti for the job.

Europe and derby Question:  Can Andrea Stramaccioni really be the future coach of Inter and tearing the label of a caretaker?  Answer: He can.  How? By simply maintaining the current attention to details and his football ideas which seem to have revitalized the team which at one time was lost.  But, above all, the ultimate goal is still taking this team to Europe and perhaps even beating Milan the in second to last game of the season.

Even Europa League Another question: What kind of Europe will trigger the stay of Stramaccioni?  Another answer: the third spot would automatically promote Stramaccioni to a permanent position which will see him signing a contract until 2013.  And Europa League? Perhaps but it certainly would serve as the perfect platform to educate Strama outside the boundaries of Serie A.  Besides, Strama would be a lot cheaper in comparison to other candidates such from Bielsa to Prandelli.  So far, he has folded Genoa and Siena (with one goal more), a draw against Cagliari (could have won it) but the game with Udinese can say a lot more about him.  Much more.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

THE HAND OF STRAMA

MORATTI: "YOU'LL SEE HIS GAME."

WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN:

The group is committed to the ideas.

The wingers cut inside and sacrifice defensively.

And then those blitzes from the midfielders.

Four days, four more days that is, not many but not too few.  Stramaccioni is asking for just a little bit of time for the team to play with his style, to crystallize ideas and working methods so that the team can absorb them.  After five days of adaptation and mutual understanding, from today until Friday, at Pinetina, the team will fall in his laboratory.

The break of those two goals Sunday against Genoa, we didn't see the alchemy that Stramaccioni worked on for five days prior to the game.  The main reason was because of the first two goals allowed, 3-1 was sheer bad luck and also a fortunate penalty for the 3-2.  Those two goals put a brake on the team psychologically which deprived the team's safety and ease in finding a new way to play on the field.

Committed to ideas But in the first half against Genoa is defined as the best available evidence for the team of Stramaccioni.  It was seen primarily as a team that believed more: more from a mental point of view, more committed to the new representation not only from the coach's personality but also by his football ideas.

More Zarate than Forlan The desire to control matches by taking advantage of width of the game is perhaps the most concrete and important idea.  To do this, it is crucial to have a proper approach to Zarate who in the league had not started since the end of November (against Siena).  But the Argentinian seems to have confirmed his validity to the new coach who views him as a winger with more susceptibility to the role than Forlan. 

Blitz by the midfielders The two wide players in the midfield, in the game against Genoa, appeared to try looking for spaces ahead.  Cambiasso had a great chance to score the 2-0 with a header.  Then there is Guarin, whose DNA has a tendency to look for blitzes, one of which led him to the earned PK for the fifth goal.  Stramaccioni will insist much on this opportunity to get closer to the opponent's goal.

Dead-ball But something new was also seen at dead-ball situations.  The left-footed volley by Chivu that he couldn't keep it down in the second half was the end product of a proven design in training and the Romanian was freed beautifully.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE:

Major pushing from the fullbacks as well as the wingers.

Will play more freely waiting for the return of Sneijder to turn to this 4-3-1-2.

There are two factors, above all others, that Stramaccioni would like to accomplish before the end of the season.

Time and solid defense The first: with just five days of training available, not even one magician could probably do more.  The second: a solid defense but taking over the leadership of a team in a delicate situation such as Inter, it is natural to point to the first which is time.

Wings Inter-Genoa did not comfort Stramaccioni in anyway but we should also consider the essential randomness of the first two goals (out of four) conceded by the Nerazzurri.  In any case, Stramaccioni was forced to sacrifice, in part, at least one cornerstone of his football philosophy: the constant pushing by the fullbacks.  The fullbacks, as well as wingers, must constantly be pushing under Stramaccioni.  It was seen on Sunday (and you will continue to see it) more with Zanetti than with Chivu because the Romanian had the job of covering the first two in front of him in Cambiasso and Forlan.

With Wes the 4-3-1-2 But what yet to be seen is the 4-3-1-2 (or 4-3-2-1: depends on the movement of the second striker), the formation that his Primavera has interpreted successfully.  It will happen when Sneijder becomes available, the man (in Primavera it was Bessa) to whom Stramaccioni will give a lot of freedom to move across the offensive front, behind a central striker (before was Longo, now Milito or Pazzini) and a second striker (Livaja, now  Zarate or Forlan).

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

EXTRA EFFORT

Training in one breath, no break.  Waiting for Sneijder and thinking of Zarate in a 4-3-3.

Stramaccioni wants continuous intensity and could relaunch the Argentinian who swears: "I will give everything for Inter, even for 20 minutes."

Appiano Gentile - Saying Andrea Stramaccioni will play Inter just like his Primavera would be the wrong way to read his approach to this new challenge; but the manner in which he faced and beat Marseille and Ajax in U-19 Champions League is a reliable mirror of his football beliefs.

Two keys The new coach is inspired mainly, but not entirely, by the 4-3-3 which is based on two key ideas.  The first: occupy spaces by using the flanks, playing wide and getting crosses in but also moving into central positions to facilitate runs by the midfielders.  The second: a director in the midfield is a must have.  One that, again, can run into space.  The job belongs to Duncan for Inter Primavera and also the Roma player Viviani, with him, Stramaccioni won the Giovanissimi Nazionali Scudetto.

Zanetti: "Calm down Mister, at your age, I was emotional too!"

Stankovic In this Inter team, the man that is closest to have these characteristics is Stankovic who until the arrival of Sneijder was a dynamic trequartista and against Genoa, he should the middle man with two other players on his left and right.  Guarin should finally be ready - he was destined to play the final 20 minutes in Turin but it was decided to spare him after allowing the second goal.  While Poli and Obi could be against each other for the one final spot in the midfield, provided that Zanetti is going to play as a left back.

Wes and Maurito When Sneijder returns, he will be Stramaccioni's Bessa, the man who has maximum freedom to make plays behind the forwards.  With the Dutch, a diamond midfield could be used (Milito or Pazzini to do the job of Longo in Primavera, while either Forlan or Zarate will be Stramaccioni's Livaja), other alternatives are the Christmas Tree formation and of course the 4-2-3-1.  But as of right now, the Dutch is still not feeling well and the alternative for this situation will not be the 4-4-2, but it will be the 4-3-3 with Milito, more likely than Pazzini, as a central forward with Forlan and Zarate (more likely to play more than Castaignos).  The new coach appreciates the Argentinian and is looking to revitalize Zarate who yesterday tweeted: "I will leave everything on the field for this team: if I have to play 20, 60 or 90 minutes, I will give my best and then we'll see what will happen."

All in one breath Calling him Stramouccioni is obviously a simple suggestion but something about the Portuguese's training method was seen yesterday morning: especially greater intensity in continuity.  The purpose - alternating with the technical, tactical and physical component - is mainly to minimize down time.  Stramaccioni is using this philosophy and the work that he has done with Primavera in the first few training sessions.  The effect? Training sessions are now less like a routine and more engaging as well as more physical.  And the team, at least for now, seems to like it.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

STRA-MOU-CCIONI?

"This is a dream.  I'm fortunate and have no fear."

The coach: "'Win' was what the president said.  What emotion to see Inter-Marseille in the stands."

Appiano Gentile - "My DNA is painted black and blue: I watched Inter-Marseille in the stand and all the passion has made a good impression on me, seeing people crying touched me deeply, this team does not deserve a moment like this."  Destined to succeed, no, he doesn't like that label: "If anything, I'm fortunate."  No fear.  "I don't feel the weight and fear of being here.  I feel that we have a strong team.  I have confidence in these players, in management and in myself."  There are those, like Bruno Conti, who knew all along that he has it in him.  Strong enough to deserve a dream: "Very beautiful and unexpected.  Moratti has given me this gift and I will do everything to honor it."

What was asked by the president?

"Yesterday, in the middle of a technical/tactical discussion, at one point he looked at me and said: 'Mister, we must win.'  There, that was what president asked me to do."

And what do you think about this duty?
"When I came out after meeting him, I thought that to myself.  If Moratti, who has written history in world football, has decided to give me a chance for the work he has seen in the past six months then I am certain of my work.  And on the field, the players will do the rest."

And what did you say to the players?

"I was sincere.  To me, training them is something that I can be proud of.  I admired them from far away, now they are my champions."

Difficult for such a young coach to teach these players?

"Using the verb 'to teach' would be wrong because these players have written important pages in the history of football.  Better world would be: conveying.  I would like to convey my ideas to these masters of the game of football so that they can get the results.  Simple goal, especial for these players.  Here I just have to think about putting these champions under the best conditions for them to succeed.  Today what I saw in training were intensity and rhythm: the players are well, now we are waiting to play for more thorough evaluations."

Who are the coaches that inspire your ideas?

"When I was at Roma, I studied Spalletti who has infected me with his incredible passion.  I also often heard from Sacchi: sometimes, he gave me compliments and other times, he taught me lessons."

You said that this is a dream: are you afraid?

"If I decided to do this job then this is a dream.  My concentration is my work and what to say to the players.  Concentration is not fear."

Risk of having to live with the shadow of Mourinho?

"I'm not running from it.  It is an obsession that does not come to mind.  I'm very new, light years away from him."

Space available for the young players?

"Already today, there were already some Primavera players with the first team.  The club will decide in what way and how quickly to capitalize on its assets."

Young and old: difficult mix?
"Being young is not only about age because you have to be young in the heart as well.  Zanetti is an example: he is older than me but also in training today, he had the desire of a Primavera player."

Is there a recipe to resolve Sneijder?
"Wes doesn't need any recipe.  He is the symbol of quality and of the technical aspect of this team.  If he's in good shape then he can make major contributions but the problem is he is not right physically."

With 27 points comes Champions League?
"I'm not handy at making league rankings and will not do so.  Thinking one day at a time is the secret to do well.  Inter-Genoa will be played and then we prepare for next game."

First time The first training session of the new Inter coach started at 15:05 and ended at 16:37.  It was an intense training because of the need to think and act fast with the ball always in motion.  On the bench watching were Paolillo, Branca Ausilio and the new technical consultant Bedin.  Meanwhile, Andrea Stramaccioni divided the large group into three teams of seven and play matches to warm up.

Great opportunity Shortly before training, "Strama" dedicated five short minutes in the closed dressing room to talk to the team.  Five minutes of substance.  "This is my big opportunity and I thank Moratti for making me happy with this proposal.  Now until the end, I will give all of myself."

Football-rugby At his baptism, everyone was in attendance from healthy to injured including a few young players from Primavera and also those that are already in the first team like M'Baye, Romano, Crisetig, Livaja and also Juan Jesus.  Before he began, Stramaccioni explained how he would like to conduct training: distributed orange and white shirts, divided into groups of seven for football-rugby: only pass with your hands and finish with headers to score goals.  The orange team won (Stankovic, Guarin, Cordoba, M'Baye, Milito, Zarate, Zanetti).  Strama then said: "The orange team is already in rhythm so they will now play."  After football-rugby, training matches on a large field.

Dictionary Sneijder and Nagatomo trained separately, Faraoni is with the U-21 while Alvarez, Lucio and Maicon had individual sessions.  Here came the dictionary of Stramaccioni.  "Faster to the position," he urged the strikers. "Come on, faster, whilst Wally isn't there," which would be Samuel.  "Attack the posts" means moving forward in a wide line towards the goal.  "Wide, wide, wide!" "What are you, a magnet?" he said to Castellazzi who made three impossible saves.  "Restart now!" "Think think!" "The ball is always alive."  "Braviiii, good job, great effort."  "Wow.."  The last few was when he saw champions playing like champions. "Always play" the ball.  "Braviiiii, good stuff, good stuff."  "Mamma mia..."  It also seems that - assisted by his staff - for the very first intensive training session, he requested the players to be filed with telemetry technology to monitor their performance.  Formula 1 stuff.  And just before the last training match he said: "Whoever loses, will have to move the goals."  Nothing new, but fresh air yes.

Tactics Starting today, Stramaccioni will begin the process to find the team against Genoa.  There is the hypothesis of a 4-3-3 but when Sneijder returns, he could use the diamond midfield or the Christmas tree formation.  Also watch out for the 4-2-3-1 of Mourinho and three main ideas.  First, he does not like the 4-4-2.  Second, he wants a director who knows how to set things up and move in to free space and Stankovic seems to fit that characteristics.  Third, Zarate and Castaignos are likely to be relaunched by the new coach.  Milito, right now is more likely to start than Pazzini and the team is again waiting for the return of Wes who will have a free role when he comes back.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport