Well the time is nearly upon us... The Supercoppa Italia was a nice win, but this will be another memorable win if it can be achieved. Last year Barcelona beat Shakhtar.. It is now our turn to continue raking up the trophies in this curtain raiser to the European season. In my opinion we will have a firm idea of how Rafa will want to play, because this is against Spanish opposition, his bread and butter. All summer long he has talked about changing the philosophy of Inter to possession football.. it is time for us to see that vision become reality. FORZA NERAZURRI!!
The squad for the match: Goalkeepers: 1 Julio Cesar, 12 Luca Castellazzi, 21 Paolo Orlandoni. Defenders: 2 Ivan Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Lucio, 13 Maicon, 23 Marco Materazzi, 25 Walter Samuel, 26 Cristian Chivu. Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 10 Wesley Sneijder, 11 Sulley Muntari, 17 Mariga, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 20 Joel Obi, 29 Coutinho. Strikers: 9 Samuel Eto'o, 22 Diego Milito, 27 Goran Pandev, 88 Ludovic Biabiany.
This is an actual test for us and Raffa, afaic: considering we always beat Roma when it counts. I kid, I kid. Anyhow, another match.
I really want to see how our defense handles Aguero and Forlan. This will be their first serious test of the season. I also want to see how Sneijder works with the rest of the midfield, and if it is the same as it was under Mourinho.
This is my biggest worry for the game, if Rafa orders our back line to push up like we did against Roma Aguero just might make us pay. The timings between Samuel and Lucio shod be flawless cause I really cant see them catching him if he does brake. Hope for the best big game for Rafa.
Interesting matchup, Atletico are lethal in attack but very poor defensively even by La Liga standards. This is where Rafa earns his bucks, his speciality is Spanish teams. I expect us to name the same side as the one that played Roma, as long as there is a trophy up for grabs we should give ourselves the best chance of winning which means playing the best team we can field.
Agreed... plus it sets the right frame of mind to win things later this season. Match starts in under 11 hours!
My favored line up: ----------------Julio Cesar--------------- Maicon------Lucio-----Samuel------Chivu ---------------------Zanetti------------- -----------Cambiasso----------Pandev--- --------------------Sneijder------------- --------Eto'o-----------------Milito------
Can't wait to get a good look at how you play (here's to hoping that you're as terrible as 'Pool was last season). Best of luck.
Official formations... INTER (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Stankovic, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Sneijder; Eto’o, Milito. (Castellazzi, Cordoba, Mariga, Materazzi, Pandev, Coutinho, Biabiany). All. Benitez ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): De Gea; Perea, Dominguez, Godìn, Ujfalusi; Reyes, Assunçao, Raùl Garcia, Simao; Forlàn, Agüero. (Robles, Antonio Lopez , Suarez, Camacho, Jurado, Fran Merida, Diego Costa). All. Quique Sanchez Flores
Interesting to me that Ujfalusi is a left back for them. Several of their players I don't know much about but I'm not super-impressed by their players I do know. 3-1 to Inter, I figure.
I know its only 20 minutes but I would like to see more of the possession football that Rafa promised
Well Ben f.cked it big time if we do score it will be from some random mistake we have no freaking ability to attack with 3 players. He fielded 5 defenders look how deep Zanetti is. And Deki as a winger he is slow what is he expecting from him there he shod have been in Zanetti's place. Seriously I just hope we don't concede.
We look in greater danger of conceding than Atletico. I hope the second half will bring a big change in strategy. Eto'o is back where he shouldn't be again -- why?
I hope for Inter's sake that this is not true but it just might be. I try to think positive but this tonight looks like a second tier team, some moves are more than questionable.
Absolutely right and we are now paying the price 1 - 0 to Atletico. I don't like this. We just have not stepped up to par. Unbelievable how we lose balls so cheaply.