ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Inter Milan

Posted by Gianni Serra on 10/29/2010

Mission accomplished. One goal, three points and now three days to prepare for the Champions League' away game to Tottenham. Julio Cesar and Esteban Cambiasso's muscular injuries are the only negative notes in a high-tempo game where Inter confirmed once more that last season killer-instinct is still intact.

The only goal of the game came after an Eduardo blunder at the end of the first half. Genoa goalkeeper misjudged a 25-yard shot from Sulley Muntari, which lobbed him in a quite embarassing way. In fairness the Portoguese keeper error was forced by a clod that change Muntari shot direction.

With Diego Milito on the bench again, Samuel Eto'o looked very determined to keep his recent one-game-one-goal form. But at minute 28 he missed miserably a sitter. Ten minutes later the Cameroon striker, back to his usual standards, delivered a lovely pass to Coutinho inside the Genoa penalty area but the Brazilian youngster failed to control. At minute 40 it was Marco Rossi to miss an open goal, shooting wide a perfectly weighted Chico pass from the right.

When you talk about creating room for forwards and playing wide none can match Genoa. Gasperini's team exploits flanks better than anyone and it explains why Santon and Maicon were kept at bay for the whole game. At minute 45 Biabiany led a counter-attack but in a 3-against-3 situation at the edge of Genoa penalty box he missed the decisive pass. Two minutes later, at the second of the 3 minutes added-on time, the Muntari & Eduardo goal change the whole script.

In the second half Genoa runs were less and slower. Only twice the homeside came close to score with Criscito at 72' and with Boakye at 79'. Not enough. Good win for Inter against a good team. Not one to remember but these are the bread and butter victories needed to win titles.

Man of the match. Biabiany. A Dirk Kuyt in making. Too many mistakes inside the penalty area but what a formidable workrate. He was all over the pitch, giving a hard time to Dainelli, Kaladze and Criscito.

Serie A 2010-11 day 9 / Genoa, Marassi stadium

GENOA-INTER 0-1 (0-1)

Genoa: Eduardo; Dainelli, Ranocchia, Kaladze, Criscito; Chico (58' Destro), Milanetto, Rossi (79' Boakye); Rafinha, Toni, Mesto (59' Zuculini). Coach: Gasperini
Inter: Julio Cesar (65' Castellazzi); Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso (19' Muntari); Biabiany (83' Cordoba), Sneijder, Coutinho; Eto'o. Coach: Benitez

Referee: Banti
Goal: Muntari 45'+2

Comments

Posted by iwc24 on 10/30/2010

im an ac milan fan but im glad espn found somebody to fill this position because of all the hype in the premier league. I mean, west ham gets more news updates than any of the top teams in italy. Hope you're around for long because we need writers who know what they're talking about and inform others about the rest of the leagues in europe. Especially the big ones like la liga and serie a. Best of luck to you

PS. Anybody know what happened to Roberto Gotta? He is probably one of the best writers in this website but unfortunately his articles barely come out every now and then. He should do like phill ball and eduardo alvarez and write an article once every week!

Posted by Lekan on 10/30/2010

Hello People On here I am true chelsea fan and I love Inter very well Good work E'eto

Posted by Zaid on 10/31/2010

Hi,

This game is good as some aspect of Inter play resemble Inter of last seasons.

Inter have to be more solid, focus and 'defensive' than what Benitez is preaching.

I like attacking football, but it is not the best option for Inter. Many writers wrote that Benitez don't change much of a proven formula, but this Inter is so different from the one that were coached by Mou. Anyone who watch every or almost of Inter games under Benitez will immediately recognised that this Inter are playing in unrecognised,worrying way.

I'm afraid that Inter might falter and regress this season, if Benitez get his way.

Posted by Ikki on 11/01/2010

You're right...Inter do play differently this year...they play better.

Posted by Gianni on 11/01/2010

Confirming the 4-2-3-1 and most of the players (the two additions Coutinho and Biabiany are not consistent yet to be considered at this stage as big changes) doesn't mean Benitez is relying on Mou's work. Between Julio Cesar and Lucio last season there were no more than 15 meters most of the time. This season between keeper and the back four line there are at least 30 meters. It gives more room and opportunities to Inter opponents but it also allows Nerazzurri to engulf midfield and chase the ball in the other team half quicker and in a more effective way. To put it simpler: Jose chose to defend deeper in order to create more room for counterattacks; Rafa wants to keep opponents and ball more distant from his penalty area. The second 45 minutes in Bologna or the first half against Spurs in Milan were showtime pinnacles never reached by Mou's side. This side at this stage concedes more but promises to win in a far more spectacular way.

Posted by Steven on 05/10/2012

Fickle is the perfect term to dbscriee football supporters. Unfortunately, I feel that I am one of them at times. I totally agree that Benitez needs sufficient time to prove his managerial skills at Inter; whoever is calling for his head now doesn't realize that a move like that could disrupt the team from moving forward and destroying everything the organization has worked for till date. It's too early!

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