ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Inter Milan

Posted by Gianni Serra on 11/15/2010

Inter paid the price for another dismal performance as they lost the derby 1-0 against AC Milan. An early goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Rossoneri a crucial victory as they defeated Nerazzurri to overtake Lazio at the top of Serie A.

The writing was on the wall for Inter. Rafael Benitez amazing decision to start with Marco Materazzi as centre back alongside Lucio, gave AC Milan a psychological edge. And a technical advantage too. Materazzi featured only in 5 of the last 50 games played by Inter - the 37-year old defender inclusion showed without a doubt that Inter coach was afraid of Ibra aerial prowess. So afraid to prefer a nearly retired pro over Cordoba for the centre-back position, and the Colombian over Davide Santon as right full-back. A mess.
Four minutes into the match were enough to realise how wrong he was: Clarence Seedorf released Ibrahimovic down the right wing, inside the penalty area the Swede was brought down by Materazzi's reckless tackle. Ibra felt obliged to thank the former teammate blunder, firing the penalty past Julio Cesar's substitute Luca Castellazzi. Ibrahimovic kept leading the show and exposing Inter defense's weaknesses. The nightmare for Nerazzurri fans was just beginning. At the minute 36' Coutinho replaced the injured Obi. Everygame Inter lose a different player due to muscolar problems. Fact.
Benitez then shifted some positions and changed shape to his midfield - the initial diamond made room to a line: Zanetti-Stankovic-Sneijder-Coutinho. Things got better. Even if the only danger for AC Milan came when Wesley Sneijder curled a freekick into the side netting in the 38th minute. The Dutchman long range shots were the only threats to Abbiati even in a even more frustrating second half. The Champions of Europe misery was evident as they failed to exploit the man-advantage after Ignazio Abate's 60th minute dismissal. With half an hour still to play and AC Milan down to 10 men Inter never looked capable to draw.
Next month Inter will go to Abu Dhabi not sure to win the FIFA Club World Cup. The winning mentality seems gone. This side could struggle against anyone and Rafa Benitez is not untouchable anymore - missing the Intercontinental trophy could seal his fate. Guus Hiddink, Turkey manager, and Luciano Spalletti, who won the Russian title with Zenit, are Moratti first options to replace the Spaniard.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Marco Materazzi. At 37 he proves to be still decisive. For the wrong side.

Serie A 2010-11 / Day 12

INTER-MILAN 0-1 (0-1)

INTER MILAN: Castellazzi; Cordoba, Lucio, Materazzi (67’ Biabiany), Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Obi (36’ Coutinho); Sneijder; Milito (46' Pandev), Eto’o. Coach: Benitez
AC MILAN: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Gattuso (46' Pirlo), Ambrosini, Flamini; Seedorf (73' Boateng); Ibrahimovic, Robinho (62' Antonini). Coach: Allegri

Referee: Tagliavento
Scorer: Ibrahimovic 5' pen
Sent off: Abate 60'
Yellow cards: Gattuso, Ibrahimovic, Ambrosini

Comments

Posted by Klinsi87 on 11/15/2010

Zlatan was the key but we were too poor to stop him. Rafa's the only one getting the stick but injuries are not his fault. Zanetti, Lucio, Etoo are always fit, why? they are t only true pros. Injuries hit only certain players, Moratti 1 year ago spent millions to buy Thiago Motta, Milito, Sneijder, Eto'o. Last summer he spent nothing! Rafa wanted Mascherano + Kuyt, two work ethic examples but reply was to FORGET THEM! So he cant be judged. This Inter Milan is not HIS Inter Milan yet. We all know Mourinho left a drowning boat.

Posted by Sam on 11/15/2010

Klinsi87 seems more like a Liverpool Benetiz apologist than an Inter fan. Who are the we that knew Inter were a drowning boat? The problems are not personnel or even to a certain extent injuries, it is the stubborn tactics that Benetiz is imposing in order to bring 'attractive football' to Inter despite clearly not having the players to pull it off. Barca play quick passing possession football with a high backline because they have fast, technical players. Inter have players who are strong, tall, move well and play excellent on the counter. Milito, Maicon and Sneijder both perform better on the counter, running at a backpeddeling defence, our whole midfield are basically set up for this tactic. While our defence is slower but strong and suited to playing deep. Eto'o, who conincidentally is our best player under this system is used to playing it Barca. Benetiz's system is responsible for the problems we are having and why so many players are out of form. The derby was a joke

Posted by Pedro on 11/15/2010

Good point Sam, its RB stubborness our main problem. Klinsi I am glad Moratti didnt spent for Masch+Kuyt

Posted by Klinsi87 on 11/16/2010

Perdo, I dont like kuyt too, however Mascherano is the best hf in the world. To me Inter needed some new signings someone like Masch and Javier Pastore...
and ... Sam, how can you say our defense is slow? is cordoba slow? cmon...
I concede Jose winning mentality's gone under Rafa, but just because some players attitude is so negative
PS Gianni, if Materazzi's finished Santon's nothing he very ordinary

Posted by sid86 on 11/21/2010

The derby never tasted sweeter (considering that I am an AC fan and more so coz it was Ibra who scored. I hope you can see Jose's failings too along with all his achievements). On a more serious (and friendly) note, Rafa is responsible for a lot of problems (like frequent injuries) but he was always told to impose his tactics on the current squad, rather than letting go of players who didn't fit in and buying others who did. I think it was pure complacence from Moratti and co. Jose faced this problem in 2008-09 but he was given enough financial support the next year to buy 4 offensive players (not a joke by any means) and to let go of the likes Ibra, Cruz and Suazo. Why are you denying Rafa the opportunity to do the same?

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