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Expected result to be honest.  What makes me disappointed is that we show great promises in the first half but with out shit defense, we blew it.

Do you remember the event before the 2nd goal?  Both teams were getting into it and the game was stopped for like a few minutes.  You would have thought that much time, we would take advantage and regroup our formation but no, one freaking long ball and they have 2 players against our 3.  How did that happen?  I'll tell you.  We suck at defending and that's final.

Also what I don't understand is why Gasperini takes out Alvarez for Faraoni.  Alvarez was doing just fine I thought.

Obi is my man of the match.  He was great defensively and productive offensively.  Awesome player and worked hard.

Anyway, we need reinforcements and I can't add much more to it.  Hopefully with Lucio back instead of Chivu, our defense can somehow suck it up and play better.  Forza inter per sempre.  It's time for bed.

STARTING LINEUPS

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 23 Ranocchia, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 8 Thiago Motta, 5 Stankovic, 20 Obi; 11 Alvarez, 10 Sneijder, 9 Eto'o.

Subs: 12 Castellazzi, 37 Faraoni, 44 Bianchetti, 77 Muntari, 7 Pazzini, 27 Pandev, 30 Castaignos.

Coach: Gasperini

Milan: 32 Abbiati; 20 Abate, 13 Nesta, 33 Thiago Silva, 19 Zambrotta; 8 Gattuso, 4 Van Bommel, 10 Seedorf; 27 Boateng; 70 Robinho, 11 Ibrahimovic.

Subs: 1 Amelia, 76 Yepes, 25 Bonera, 23 Ambrosini, 28 Emanuelson, 99 Cassano, 7 Pato.

Coach: Allegri

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli

Prediction: Milan 2-1 Inter

FORZA INTER

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

WE'RE COMING.  NO YOU'RE NOT.

Zanetti: "We Argentinians wanted to be there in Beijing."

Phone call to Gasperini.  Response: "Rest.  It will be a tough season and you're be fundamental."

Milan - The love of an old guard, the consistency of new leadership and a fighting spirit.  All of this can describe Zanetti, Cambiasso and Milito who all begged Gasperini to take them to Beijing and the coach requires them with "forced" vacation.

The last dinner Thursday night, it was the night where captain spent his time with Cuchu and his friend Frederick Henrietta.  Just returned from Argentina, Zanetti wanted to reunite his teammates before the axis of Dublin-Paris-Beijing.  Later on in the evening, there was also Massimo Moratti and his wife Milly Moratti.  The way of Inter president being there is just like those times in Pinetina at the eve of important games.  In China, Inter will play for the first trophy of the season and it is against Milan.  The two important men of Inter were with the group but will not go to Beijing.  Or rather they should not go.  Moratti was in doubt because of some problems with the visa.  And for the Inter captain, as well as Cambiasso and Milito, all were ready to give up vacation to be there for Inter in Beijing.

Unnecessary phone calls The situation of Zanetti was paradoxical.  He said to us that on July 18, immediately after the elimination from the Copa America in Argentina, from Buenos Aires, he started to call Gasperini.  "Mister, we want to be there in Beijing," was the overall message of the phone call for all three Argentinians.  Because even Cambiasso and Milito, while returning from a season full of muscles problems, would have come back early from holidays to help teammates in the Super Cup.  But Gasperini has forced them to stay on the beach: "You must rest, we can expect a tough season and your contribution will be crucial.  Needless to run the risk of compromising the preparation for a major game but not decisive."

Last hope So insisting on going to Beijing was useless.  Whoever doubted whether or not Gasperson would have the attributes to handle a dressing room full of prima donnas was served.  And yesterday while his teammates started boarding to Dublin, Zanetti had to "resign" to the idea of going to Athens.  The Greek beaches await him and his wife Paula with children Sol and Ignacio.  Not only the Argentinians but Maicon is also training with Atletico Mineiro and like Lucio, he will be back early in Milan.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

RE-CALL!

Julio Cesar in goal for Inter in Bejing

Holidays interrupted for the Brazilian who will be with the team over the weekend.

Extra holidays in mid August.

Milan - An exception is worth of gold.  On August 6th, Inter will play for the Italian Super Cup against Milan in Beijing without the South Americans but with Julio Cesar in goal.  The decision was made Monday after a late night phone call between the technical director Marco Branca and Gian Piero Gasperini.  It is a good choice considering several factors.  First is the fact that after the injury of Viviano and the blow to the head suffered by Castellazzi against Galatasaray (the former Samp keeper is fine but the delicacy calls for caution), Inter can not take more risks because the game will be played after a 11-hour flight from Italy.  Add to this is that Francesco Bardi could not leave for China because he will be loaned to Gubbio.

Effect South Africa Julio Cesar should join the team over the weekend in Dublin where with his teammates they will fly to Beijing via Paris on Monday.  But the problem of not getting enough rest after Copa America remains.  For the derby against Milan, Inter have decided not to choose the players who were involved in the tournament in Argentina because they don't want to squeeze the South Americans (Cambiasso, Lucio, Maicon, Zanetti and Milito) for the second consecutive year.  Last summer, in fact, the World Cup had led to problems for Maicon and especially Milito.

Holiday shortened So what will happen to the number 1 of the Brazilian national team is a calculated risk.  The keeper will have 10 days less of vacation compared to his fellow South Americans but he will get extra holiday mid August.  But first he must answer the call-up for a friendly on August 10 in Stuttgart against Germany.  The five senior players from Copa America will job the team immediately after their national matches but while Maicon and Lucio have already been included in the list of coach Menezes, the three Argentinians could be free after their football federation, after the sacking of Batista, has canceled a friendly match against Romania.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport

vs.

MONTE CARLO - A counter-attacking Colchoneros side got the better of Inter at the Stade Louis II to lift the 2010 UEFA Super Cup.

José Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero got their names on the scoresheet in the second half as Atletico made their chances count in European football's curtain raiser.

With time running out Diego Milito had a penalty kick saved by David De Gea.

Rafael Benitez made one change from the starting XI that won us the Champions League and the Italian Super Cup, bringing in Dejan Stankovic for Goran Pandev.

Quique Sanchez Flores also made a single switch from the team that beat Fulham to win the inaugural Europa League, summer signing Diego Godin replacing Antonio Lopez at the centre of defence.

An evenly-balanced first half saw Samuel head over and Eto'o fire narrowly wide before two good chances for Aguero - one inches off target and the other well wide.

It was more Spain than Italy in the second half as Atletico found more space on the break and Reyes broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. He combined swiftly with Aguero and rounded Maicon before firing past Julio Cesar at his near post.

Inter reverted to their Champions League-winning lineup with Pandev on for Stankovic and the Macedonian fired against the bar after De Gea had thwarted Milito, but the flag had already been raised for offside.

Another change was needed and Benitez handed brought on Coutinho for Sneijder.

The 18-year-old Brazilian barely had time to settle on his competitive debut when Aguero doubled Atletico's lead from close range, slotting over Simao's cross from the left.

Inter were presented with a chance to reduce the arrears in the closing minutes after Raul Garcia brought down Pandev in the area, but Milito's spot-kick was saved by De Gea.

Inter 0-2 Atletico Madrid (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Reyes 62, Aguero 83.

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu; 5 Stankovic (27 Pandev 68), 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti; 10 Sneijder (29 Coutinho 79), 9 Eto'o; 22 Milito.


Subs not used: 12 Castellazzi, 2 Cordoba, 17 Mariga, 23 Materazzi, 88 Biabiany.

Coach: Rafael Benitez.

Atletico Madrid: 13 De Gea; 17 Ujfalusi, 15 Godin, 21 Perea, 18 Dominguez; 19 Reyes (11 Merida 69), 12 Assuncao, 8 Raul Garcia, 20 Simao; 7 Forlan (9 Jurado 82), 10 Aguero.

Subs not used: 38 Robles, 3 A.Lopez, 4 Suarez, 6 Camacho, 22 Diego Costa.


Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

Booked: Simao 85, Raul Garcia 89, Samuel 90+2.

Att.: 18,500.

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I don't know where to begin.  There are so many things that went wrong in this game.  I guess I have to start first with the coach.

What the hell was he thinking (if not at all) by starting Stankovic and messed up our formation?  Should have used the formation and the team against Roma.  Stankovic is lost it.  I laugh when I heard other Inter fans say Inter are "stacked" at the midfield position.  I'm going to say it once more.  The only midfielder I trust playing as a defensive midfielder is Cambiasso.  Zanetti is better as left-back.  Muntari is just crap.  Motta is already out for another month and injury prone.  Stankovic is a disaster at this stage of his career.  Mariga is the a good young player but I don't know if he is ready for a regular starting spot.  These are the reasons why I wanted Mascherano at Inter.

Continuing with the coach.  Why did he sub out Sneijder?  I don't get it.  And right after Sneijder went out, Inter got a FK and Lucio embarassingly blasted it up to the 19th row.

Lastly, Chivu is not very good as LB.  I guess each coach has his own obsessions.  Mancini with Burdisso, Mourinho with Vieira and Muntari and Benitez with Chivu.  What the hell?

I swear to god this seems like a way of protest by Rafa against Inter because we didn't get him his boys. 

Ok enough ranting about the coach, the players need to do better.  Sneijder was off.  Maicon didn't get anything going.  But the one that I'm worried the most is Milito.  Dude is playing with no confidence whatsoever.  Could control the ball cleanly so save his life.  Passing is also messed up.  And you thought Milito was lacking determination, inspiration, and confidence BEFORE the PK, I don't know what he has now besides his two legs to walk on.  So horrible.

We'd be lucky to win Serie A if we continue playing like this and I'm not exaggerating.  I should have NEVER EVER washed by lucky Inter shirt. Dammit.  At least I got cash for by B-day.  Enough ranting.  And Forza Inter!!!

MONTE CARLO - Starting XIs for tonight's match at the Stade Louis II in Monte Carlo (kick-off 20:45):

Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso; 5 Stankovic, 10 Sneijder, 9 Eto'o; 22 Milito.

Subs: 12 Castellazzi, 2 Cordoba, 17 Mariga, 23 Materazzi, 27 Pandev, 29 Coutinho, 88 Biabiany.

Coach: Rafael Benitez.

Atletico Madrid: 13 De Gea; 17 Ujfalusi, 25 Godin, 21 Perea, 18 Dominguez; 19 Reyes, 12 Assuncao, 8 Raul Garcia, 20 Simao; 7 Forlan, 10 Aguero. 

Subs: 38 Robles, 3 A.Lopez, 4 Suarez, 6 Camacho, 9 Jurado, 11 Merida, 22 Diego Costa.

Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

Prediction: Inter 3-2 Atletico Madrid

FORZA INTER