Inter late show breaks Siena hearts as Roma go fourth

January 10, 2010

Champions Inter Milan scored two late goals to stun rock-bottom Siena 4-3 at the San Siro on Saturday to open up an 11-point lead at the top of Serie A.

Earlier in the day 10-man AS Roma moved up to fourth and the final Champions League qualification position with a 1-0 home success against woeful Chievo.

Inter looked to be heading for their first home defeat under Jose Mourinho as they trailed 3-2 with just two minutes remaining.

But Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder curled home his second free-kick of the game and then three minutes into injury-time substitute Walter Samuel crashed home the winner to send the Inter faithful wild.

It was rough luck on the Serie A basement-sitters who fully deserved something from a thrilling match.

Even without Algeria forward Abdul Kader Ghezzal Siena gave a good account of themselves from the off.

Macedonia forward Goran Pandev, on his home debut for Inter, had the first clear sight of goal on eight minutes and after jinking in from the right side of the box his low left foot shot was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Gianluca Curci.

The visitors then stunned their hosts on 18 minutes as former Middlesbrough forward Massimo Maccarone ran unchallenged from the halfway line before smacking a 30-yard screamer past Julio Cesar’s despairing dive into the top corner.

Inter’s response was rapid as Brazil right-back Maicon stormed forward and shot wide from just outside the area.

Three minutes later, though, Diego Milito equalised after running onto Sneijder’s long ball, cutting inside Sanchez Cribari with embarrassing ease and curling the ball around Curci.

Full normality seemed to have been restored on 36 minutes when Sneijder scored his first free-kick from 20 yards but 60 seconds later Siena equalised.

Reginaldo turned Inter captain Javier Zanetti easily out on the right flank and his cross was missed by all until Swede Albin Ekdal arrived at the back post to slip the ball under Julio Cesar.

A shock was then truly on the cards 20 minutes into the second half as Maccarone bagged his second as he beat Julio Cesar at the near post after arriving unmarked on the edge of the box to meet Reginaldo’s pull back.

But two minutes from the end Sneijder hit a 25-yard special and then Samuel, playing at left-back but thrown forward for the final moments, turned on the edge of the box to shoot left footed in off the far post.

Inter’s main rivals Juventus and AC Milan will try to limit their losses as they clash in the big game of the weekend on Sunday in Turin.

Roma survived the 11th-minute sending off of goalkeeper Doni as Daniele De Rossi scored the only goal of the game in the opening minute, with former Italy striker Luca Toni making his debut following his loan move from Bayern Munich.

Coach Claudio Ranieri paid tribute to his new striker, who was only replaced late on due to tiredness.

“I hoped that Toni would be as ready as this for the commitment of a match, he played well and was a great help to us,” he said.

“With 11 against 11 he would have run less but even so he managed to keep us high up the pitch, he created the chance for a penalty, he fought hard and won many battles.”

Toni had a great chance to open his account on five minutes but flicked Rodrigo Taddei’s inch-perfect cross wide of the near post.

Roma seemed to have shot themselves in the foot on 11 minutes when goalkeeper Doni came charging out of his box and blocked Elvis Abbruscato’s chip with his arm, earning a straight red card.

Even so, the visitors created little and things could have been worse but for Stefano Sorrentino saving David Pizarro’s spot-kick after Toni went down in the box.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: Abdul, Albin Ekdal, algeria, captain Javier Zanetti, chievo inter, cribari, diego milito, free kick, gianluca curci, home debut, home success, injury time, inter milan, Italy, Jose, jose mourinho, julio cesar, Macedonia, massimo maccarone, Milan, pandev, playmaker, reginaldo, rodrigo taddei, Roma, ROME, rough luck, san siro, stefano sorrentino, Toni, turin, walter samuel, Wesley Sneijder

Inter reach quarters after Livorno win

December 17, 2009

Inter Milan eased into the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a controlled and disciplined 1-0 win against Livorno at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Wesley Sneijder’s free-kick on the hour mark settled the affair in front of hoards of empty seats.

The hosts deserved their victory having dominated throughout and twice hit the woodwork in the first period.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho resisted the temptation to make too many changes for a match his side were always likely to win, although he did hand a debut to right-back Giulio Danilo from the club’s youth team.

A subdued Mourinho, who has been under fire these last few days in the Italian press after insulting a journalist, said his team were worthy of the result.

“I think we deserved to win. We played a serious match, we were compact, had no problems and defensively we were in control,” he said.

“We had some early chances and then after the break we had more chances to make this match a little calmer.”

With captain Javier Zanetti, Ivan Cordoba and Marco Materazzi injured and Walter Samuel injured, Inter were left a little short at the back and Mourinho selected Muntari Sulley in an unfamiliar left-back role.

There were also rare starts for Patrick Vieira, David Suazo and goalkeeper Francesco Toldo as the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso were rested.

Dejan Stankovic came closest to opening the scoring as he struck a shot from 20 yards against the upright.

Sneijder was then denied from a free-kick by Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Benussi, who tipped the ball onto the post.

But on the hour the Dutch international scored the only goal of the game as Benussi turned from hero to villain, stepping the wrong way as Sneijder took another shot from a dead ball and leaving himself rooted to the spot as the ball sailed into the top corner of his net.

Suazo then wasted a couple of chances to stake a claim on a regular first team spot before he was replaced by Milito, who proved equally profligate.

The remaining last 16 ties will all be played in mid January.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: captain Javier Zanetti, coppa italia, David Suazo, diego milito, dutch international, Esteban Cambiasso, Francesco Benussi, francesco toldo, free kick, hoards, inter milan, italian press, ivan cordoba, Javier Zanetti, jose mourinho, livorno, marco materazzi, patrick vieira, samuel eto, samuel eto o, San, stankovic, sulley, walter samuel, Wesley Sneijder

Inter Milan head to Atalanta with injury worries

December 13, 2009

Serie A leaders Inter Milan face a trip to struggling Atalanta with some injury worries as both Walter Samuel and Dejan Stankovic, who limped off against Rubin, are set to miss the clash on Sunday.

However, Ivan Cordoba should deputise for Samuel while coach Jose Mourinho can bring Esteban Cambiasso or Muntari Sulley back into the midfield or even push Javier Zanetti into the middle and bring Cristian Chivu back in at left-back.

Elsewhere, AC Milan host Palermo and are looking to extend their 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

They have won their last five league games to close to within four points of Inter in second place.

Sunday

AC Milan v Palermo, Atalanta v Inter Milan, Catania v Livorno, Chievo v Fiorentina, Lazio v Genoa, Parma v Bologna, Sampdoria v AS Roma, Siena v Udinese

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, Bologna, cambiasso, catania, chivu, cristian chivu, dejan stankovic, Esteban Cambiasso, fiorentina, four points, genoa, ivan cordoba, Javier Zanetti, jose mourinho, lazio, livorno, midfield, Milan, Palermo, Roma, sampdoria, Samuel, udinese, walter samuel, zanetti

Inter march on as Sampdoria stumble

November 2, 2009

Inter Milan continued their inexorable march towards a fifth straight Italian Serie A title with a 2-0 victory away to lowly Livorno on Sunday.

There may only be 11 games gone in the championship but Inter have already opened up a seven-point lead over second-placed Juventus after the Turin giants were beaten 3-2 at home to Napoli on Saturday.

Sampdoria also failed to keep pace with Inter as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to newly-promoted Bari on Sunday, leaving them third on goal difference behind Juve.

Inter were far from their sparkling best against a team who had won their previous two matches under new boss Serse Cosmi, but they always looked capable of doing enough to win.

Livorno, who lost on-loan Inter centre-back Nelson Rivas to injury in the warm-up, had the best chance of the opening period as Antonio Candreva brought a fine save out of Julio Cesar from a free-kick.

The opener came just four minutes into the second half as Diego Milito, restored to the starting line-up after making a substitute appearance in midweek on his return from injury, twisted and turned on the edge of the box before shooting low through a crowd of legs into the bottom corner.

Brazilian full-back Maicon then set the seal on the victory 10 minutes from time as he burst forward from his half, played a one-two with Patrick Vieira and reached the edge of the box unchallenged before slotting home left-footed into the bottom corner.

This relatively comfortable stroll in the park was ideal preparation for Inter ahead of their midweek trip to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev in a crucial Champions League match.

Coach Jose Mourinho gave rare starts to young Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin and Brazilian misfit Mancini whilst leaving the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Walter Samuel and Esteban Cambiasso on the bench, although all three came on as substitutes.

But Mourinho was counting the cost of more injuries to his team after the game as Muntari Sulley limped off during the first half.

“Unfortunately we’re a team that always has injuries, I can never play the team I want,” said Mourinho who was already without Thiago Motta, Mario Balotelli, Cristian Chivu and Wesley Sneijder.

“Muntari can’t walk and I don’t think 48 hours will be enough (to recover), I think it will be difficult as well for Thiago Motta to be ready for Wednesday.”

In Genoa Sampdoria were in uninspired form as they failed to break down a stubborn Bari.

Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano, playing against the club where he began his career, had a goal ruled out for offside three minutes from time in an otherwise anonymous performance.

It could have been worse for Sampdoria, though, as Bari’s Paulo Barreto put an injury-time penalty wide while Leonardo Bonucci then had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

AS Roma ended a three-game losing streak as they came from behind to beat Bologna 2-1 in the capital.

Brazilian Adailton gave Bologna the lead on 32 minutes but Mirko Vucinic benefited from a kind ricochet to equalise three minutes later before Simone Perrotta scored the winner in the 52nd minute.

Marco Marchionni scored a brace as Fiorentina got back to winning ways after two straight defeats with a 3-1 success at home to Catania in a match that ended 10-men apiece.

Alberto Gilardino scored the third goal for ‘La Viola’ while Giuseppe Mascara netted for Catania.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: alberto gilardino, Antonio Candreva, antonio cassano, Bologna, bottom corner, cambiasso, catania, cosmi, Esteban Cambiasso, free kick, Giuseppe Mascara, goal difference, inexorable march, inter milan, italian serie, Jose, jose mourinho, julio cesar, juve inter, Kiev, midweek, Milan, napoli, Nelson Rivas, new boss, patrick vieira, Paulo, Roma, ROME, samuel eto, samuel eto o, Simone Perrotta, starting line, stroll in the park, turin, ukraine, walter samuel

Are Inter struggling in Europe because Serie A is too easy?

October 21, 2009

A half empty San Siro didn’t even whistle after Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.

The Nerazzurri faithful are very used to average performances in Europe, they’ve not won in eight games and haven’t triumphed in the competition since 1965.

Coach Jose Mourinho wasn’t that upset either, he knew Inter had got out of jail thanks to Barcelona’s shock home defeat by Rubin Kazan in the other Group F game. Barca, Dynamo and Rubin are on four points with Inter on three with three to play.

”This is a group with great difficulties. It’s a group with four champions,” he said.

On Saturday Inter went to Genoa, possibly the trickiest ground to visit in Serie A, and won 5-0 with almost the same side that then drew with Dynamo.

Serie A has been declining in quality for years and champions Inter are clear at the top already despite only playing well in fits and starts.

The Champions League now looks like a whole different ball game compared to the domestic league. UEFA president Michel Platini was criticised for making sure more smaller teams were in the competition this season but it is still looking very competitive given the Rubin and Kiev results, and Rangers 1 Unirea Urziceni 4. Liverpool’s troubles are another story.

Unlike the past, Mourinho is hinting that a home game with the likes of Dynamo is more difficult than an away match at a decent Serie A side.

Is it beginning to be true in other leagues as well? Are Rubin Kazan better than the likes of Deportivo for example?

PHOTO: Inter Milan’s Walter Samuel (L) challenges Dynamo Kiev’s Andriy Shevchenko during their Champions League soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan October 20, 2009. REUTERS/Max Rossi

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Tags: andriy shevchenko, ball game, Barcelona, champions league soccer, competition, dynamo kiev, Europe, four points, genoa, home game, inter milan, Jose, jose mourinho, Kiev, Liverpool, match, Max Rossi, michel platini, Milan, rangers, reuters, Rubin, rubin kazan, San, san siro stadium, shock, unirea urziceni, walter samuel

Mourinho insists Group F wide open

October 21, 2009

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho claimed there are no favourites in his team’s Champions League group after a 2-2 home draw against Dynamo Kyiv left the Italian champions bottom of the pile.

All four teams in Group F are separated by just a single point though with Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Kyiv all on four points and Inter on three after three games.

What also makes the group stand out is that it is the only one of the eight Champions League groups to include four teams who are champions of their country.

“There’s no favourite. We have the chance to qualify. With three teams on four points and one on three, eight or nine points should be enough to qualify,” said Mourinho.

“I didn’t expect us to have only three points after three games, of course I expected more but the difference between a draw and a win is minimal.

“This group is very difficult but we already knew it would be. There’s four teams who are champions of their country and if you compare it with other groups it’s clear that other teams have been more fortunate whereas we four teams have been unlucky, but that’s the way it is and we’ll fight to the end.”

The group picture could have looked very different if Barcelona had won at home to debutants Rubin but the Russian champions’ stunning 2-1 win at the Camp Nou has left everything in the balance.

Mourinho was asked if it would have been better for Barca to win, allowing them to run away with the group while leaving Inter’s rivals for second place with fewer points.

But the former Chelsea boss explained that if reigning champions Barca were to qualify in advance it would make their last game, away to Dynamo, meaningless for them, making it easier for the Ukrainians to get a result.

“The equality in this group is a positive thing. The Rubin result is good because it leaves everything open,” said Mourinho.

“It means that when we get to the last match we won’t know who has qualified so when Barca play Dynamo at the end it will be a decisive game for them too.

“Every match is one where every result is possible. We have three draws and of course this one is the worst because the first was against Barcelona and the second was away, but it’s difficult for everyone.”

The draw means Inter have won only two of 11 Champions League games under Mourinho, continuing the club’s dismal trend in Europe’s premier competition despite their dominance at home.

But the Portuguese said it was too early to suggest his team has a psychological block when playing in Europe.

“Wait a little while, we’re only halfway through, there’s three more games and we’ll talk after them. I think my team will qualify,” he said.

Kyiv twice took the lead through Taras Mikhalik and a Lucio own goal but Inter pegged them back through Dejan Stankovic and Walter Samuel.

Even so, with two home games and only one away match left, Dynamo coach Valeri Gazzaev insisted they were in with a good chance of progressing.

“It’s a good thing to be playing two more games at home. It’s a very difficult group, Inter and Barca are great teams,” he said.

“We can do it but there’s still everything left to do. Rubin and ourselves have shown ambition but we have young players who still need more experience.

“We played well today but it’s difficult to be thrust straight into such a hard group.”

MILAN, Italy (AFP)

Tags: barca, Barcelona, camp nou, champions league group, CHELSEA, debutants, decisive game, dynamo, equality, Europe, four points, inter milan, italian champions, Italy, jose mourinho, last game, last match, Milan, rivals, rubin kazan, russian champions, single point, Taras Mikhalik, three games, ukrainians, walter samuel

Inter in trouble after Dynamo draw

October 21, 2009

Inter Milan’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knock-out rounds suffered a blow as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Dynamo Kiev.

The point leaves them bottom of Group F following Rubin Kazan’s win at Barcelona but with only one home match left.

They are without a win but still only one point off top, the position Dynamo share with both Barca and Rubin.

But that will be scant comfort for Inter boss Jose Mourinho following a pulsating contest that could have gone either way.

Dynamo were off to a flying start and Amdriy Yarmolenko should have given them the lead on three minutes but from a yard out at the back post he couldn’t adjust his feet quickly enough to turn in Artem Milevskiy’s flick-on from Gerson Magrao’s corner.

But just two minutes later they were in front as Javier Zanetti failed to clear a Magrao free-kick and Taras Mikhalik turned smartly on the edge of the box and rifled a shot in off the near post.

Inter were struggling early doors and a mistake by Cristian Chivu on the sideline let Milevskiy in behind him but Lucio was alert and diverted away his dangerous cross.

On 26min former AC Milan star Andrei Shevchenko almost got the goal he craved against his old foes but he headed just wide from an inviting Roman Eremenko cross.

Inter’s main threat was coming from Dejan Stankovic, playing alongside Wesley Sneijder behind frontman Samuel Eto’o.

Having sent one shot wide and had another beaten out by goalkeeper Stanislav Bogush he equalised on 35min, thanks to a rush of blood to Bogush’s head.

Inter hit Kiev with a quick counter as Sneijder fed the rampaging Lucio who played in Stankovic but the Serbian was still a long way from goal and Yevgen Khacheridi was in a posititon to cover his run.

Yet Bogush charged fully 10 yards from his area only to lose the race to the ball with the Serbian, who flicked it past the keeper and into the unguarded net.

But parity lasted only five minutes as Lucio headed Magrao’s corner past his own keeper after his mistake had resulted in Dynamo winning the corner.

Mourinho wasted no time in trying to fire up his team, bringing on Honduran striker David Suazo for Ghana midfielder Muntari Sulley at halftime.

And two minutes after the restart they were level again in simple fashion as Walter Samuel lost his marker and headed home Sneijder’s corner.

Inter were clearly on top and on 63min Bogush had to block a close range Eto’o volley before up the other end Lucio just nicked the ball off Milos Ninkovic’s toe to prevent him from surging through one-on-one with Julio Cesar.

Shevchenko again had the chance he craved on 73min after another Lucio blunder but this was not the clinical Sheva of old and he blasted his effort high and wide with only Julio Cesar to beat.

The goalkeeper then parried a fierce near-post Sheva free-kick on 76min.

Five minutes from time Suazo had a gilt edged chance to be a hero but he fired wide from six yards after Zanetti teed him up, before netting in injury time only to be flagged offside.

MILAN, Italy (AFP)

Tags: andrei shevchenko, artem milevskiy, Barcelona, Cesar, chivu, cristian chivu, David Suazo, dynamo kiev, eremenko, free kick, ghana, Goalkeeper, home match, inter milan, Italy, jose mourinho, Julio, julio cesar, Kiev, knock out, lucio, magrao, Milan, old foes, rubin kazan, samuel eto, samuel eto o, sideline, Stanislav Bogush, taras, Taras Mikhalik, walter samuel, Wesley Sneijder, zanetti

Ibra needs more than jeers to prove his worth

September 17, 2009

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ignored the predictable boos on his first return to Inter Milan without answering the sceptics who still doubt his ability to finally make a mark in Europe.

Wednesday’s 0-0 draw in the Champions League Group F opener prompted more questions than answers for both sides, even if Barca shaded the contest in terms of chances and technical ability.

Swede Ibrahimovic hopes his pre-season swap deal with Samuel Eto’o can turn him into one of the most feared strikers in the continent after invariably flattering to deceive for Inter in the Champions League.

His talents in domestic soccer are undoubted, given he inspired Inter to three Italian titles, and he was fully prepared for jeers from parts of the San Siro.

“Some whistled, it’s normal when you lose a player you did not want to lose,” he told reporters. “With a bit of luck I could even have scored.”

In truth, Ibrahimovic snatched at a good early chance and generally failed to impose himself despite some tidy link-up play.

“I’m very happy, in my opinion we have players better than Inter,” he said.

Eto’o, who scored the opener when Barca beat Manchester United 2-0 to lift the trophy last May, put in a similarly indifferent performance as Ibrahimovic against his former side.

“It was difficult for him. But he worked hard for the team and that’s why I like Samuel,” Inter coach Jose Mourinho told a news conference after refusing to comment on Ibrahimovic’s display.

PHOTO: Inter Milan’s Walter Samuel (R) challenges Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan September 16, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

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Tags: alessandro bianchi, Barcelona, boos, champions league group, champions league soccer, Europe, ibra, inter milan, italian titles, jose mourinho, Manchester, manchester united, reuters, samuel eto, samuel eto o, San, san siro stadium, sceptics, Siro Stadium, strikers, swap deal, swede, technical ability, walter samuel, zlatan ibrahimovic

Old Trafford feels like ´home´ – Mourinho

March 11, 2009

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has fuelled speculation he could succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager by revealing Old Trafford "feels like home" ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second-leg tie at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

The Inter Milan coach, a leading candidate to follow Ferguson when the 67-year-old Scot finally opts to end his now 23-year stint at the club, refused to distance himself from rumours linking him with a return to English football.

Mourinho, who enjoyed three successful seasons at Chelsea, has endured a difficult relationship with the Italian media since his arrival at Inter last year.

And he admitted that managing reigning European champions United had real appeal — even if he has to wait 20 years for Ferguson to quit.

Mourinho, whose Italian club team held United to a goalless draw in the first-leg, told reporters here on Tuesday: "2004 was the first time I came to Old Trafford with Porto, so everything was new for me.

"But now it is like home because, in the five years since I first came here, I have been a lot of times in the Premier League, Carling (League) Cup and FA Cup semi-finals.

"It has become part of my life and in that sense it’s a different feeling coming back," the Portuguese added.

"I even know the groundsman. He is asking me to train on one side of the pitch because that side has no sun. I know the man, he’s a nice guy, so that’s okay!

"But succeeding Sir Alex? In 20 years maybe! He’s tough, he’s strong, he is happy and he loves it. He still wins, so let him be here for 20 more years!"

Mourinho, who is backing Argentinian defender Walter Samuel to prove his fitness in time for the second-leg, inspired Porto to a Champions League victory over United in the second round in 2004 — the year he guided the Portuguese club to the European title.

He admitted that Costinha’s decisive injury-time goal at Old Trafford, which sparked a memorable dash down the touchline, paved the way for him to land his job at Chelsea.

"Because of that goal, we could win the competition. Without it, we wouldn’t even reach the quarter-final.

"A few years later, a lot of people knew those Porto players, but at that time they didn’t. Who was this this crazy manager running down the touchline?

"It was a crucial moment in our career. Our careers changed and that team was destroyed because everyone had the potential for different flights.

"That was the goal which opened doors in England for me and my career was never the same. Of course I remember that moment really well, but that’s football, that’s over and I’m not one to look back.

"On Wednesday, we will try to do it against a very, very good team. We have in mind what we have to do and we know our qualities.

"Football is football. You never know what will happen, but we are prepared for the game and we believe we can do it."

Written by: AFP

Tags: Carling, CHELSEA, costinha, different feeling, England, English Premier League, european champions, fa cup semi finals, Ferguson, groundsman, injury time goal, inter milan, italian club, italian media, Jose, jose mourinho, league victory, leg tie, Manchester, manchester england, Milan, old trafford, PORTO, portuguese club, Scot, Serie A, Sir Alex, sir alex ferguson, touchline, UEFA Champions League, walter samuel

Italian sides suffer injury blows ahead of Euro ties

March 9, 2009

ROME (AFP) – Italy’s three Champions League representatives have all been hit by costly injury blows ahead of next week’s crucial Champions League second leg matches.

All three sides face English teams in the second round of Europe’s premier competition in midweek and will have to do so without key players.

Inter have lost centre-backs Nicolas Burdisso and Marco Materazzi while they already have a fitness doubt over Walter Samuel, leaving them with a defensive headache ahead of their trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United with the tie balanced at 0-0 from the first leg.

Burdisso will miss two months with a knee problem while Materazzi is out for three weeks with a leg strain.

Juventus host Chelsea but have lost combative Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko to a metatarsal injury that will see him spend two months on the sidelines.

They have to overturn a 1-0 deficit and will desperately miss Sissoko’s industry in central midfield.

And things get no better for AS Roma, trailing Arsenal by 1-0 from the first leg in London, as they have lost Brazilian full-back Cicinho to a season-ending knee injury.

They already have terrible injury problems that saw them deprived of Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta and Marco Cassetti while David Pizarro left the field injured.

Written by: AFP