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The Serie A's table certainly looks much better now for Inter, after their third win in a row, the fifth in the last six games. But that's all I can say today.
In this Inter blog we are a close family. This is how I see it. I always read with interest the comments and opinions of Aiyaz, Sam, Sia, Bellal, Nathan, Pietro... All very competent and well informed.
This blog's most frequent readers are a very good case of 'less is more'. I speak only for myself but I think that the quality of the readers can be more important (and motivating for a writer) than the quantity.
So today it's my turn to ask you for a match report. I missed Cesena-Inter as I had to cover the two FIFA Club World Cup finals in Japan on Sunday morning, where Barcelona outclassed Brazilians Santos at their own game - possession, skills and fluidity.
I have just watched Cesena-Inter's highlights. Enough to appreciate Ranocchia's winning header and another decisive save by Julio Cesar; but not enough to understand if it was a lucky win or not, and if there has been any individual and/or collective progress. I am sure you'll tell me, thanks.
Comments
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Posted by Butler on 12/19/2011
What I did learn is that we are in dire need of a dead ball specialist. We had about two or three good free kcik positions that went begging. Thiago Motta and Coutinho aren't exctly cutting it like Sneijder. I'm also at a lost as to why Maicon is taking corners.
Also, Ranieri appaently has some phobia about putting Obi, Alvarez and Coutinho on the pitch at the same time. His half time subbing is becoming a bit of a bad habit.
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Posted by Sam on 12/19/2011
I think you can get a fair idea of the game from Ranieri's post match comments. It was a shocker! A very very boring game with a lot of missed passes and a very conservative line up. No one really looked in good form and chances were at a premium. Like in so many of the previous weeks Pazzini missed a number of sitters, Milito got frustrated at all the missed passes, the ball from the midfield was slow and misplaced and the defence, although looking solid still had a few 'what happened there moments'. Inter was super lucky to win but win they did and in the current situation I will take that without complaint.
I just hope they have a long term plan to evolve the team and not to bring in short term fixes to fit in with the current seniors and system. We have a lot of talent who need to be unleashed in the right circumstances.
Finally in the words of Ranieri "this is generally not the kind of match that you want to watch again… we'll enjoy the result." Amen to that Mr. Ranieri!
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Posted by Aiyaz H (DC Nerazzurri) on 12/19/2011
I think their funny turf caught the players off-guard a bit. I also think Giampaolo P. had Milito open a couple of times in the first half, but chose to shoot himself--which later led Diego to take some low-percentage shots of his own in frustration. Not a final verdict on the question of whether these two can be play together--but more data for us scientists...
I see collective progress at the back. With Motta's return, I think it's spread to a defensive midfield that is learning to compensate for its lack of speed. But as Ranieri said, lots left to be done. Yes, I'd call it a lucky win.
Btw, thanks for the kind words, Gianni. We also get a fine-grained view of what's happening at Inter from the blog, so the feeling is mutual (that's how I figured out that Alvarez was subbed against Udine because of a minor injury).
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Posted by Sia on 12/19/2011
I agree with Sam and Butler both, we got the points all three, but inter looked much better against Genoa than Cesena. Cambiasso, Motta, Nagatomo and I think Milito were the most driven players that day I thought.
Again this is just my personal opinion, I think Milito is looking better with each game, on other hand Pazzini now is missing more and his performance is not improving at all. Defense didn't look too bad, Maicon runs were slower than normal, Lucio, Nagatomo, Zanetti and Ranocchia did well, not great, but well. I wasn't too impressed with Obi and Coutinho still needs to be more in a central position than the outside midfield.
Let's hope for a better match against Lecce on Wednesday.
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Posted by Sanat on 12/19/2011
I think it was another one of those ugly games not too different from the one against Siena.
Maicon wasn't used enough in the first half
Zanetti's presence and Faraoni's absence from the midfield meant that some dynamism was lost
Milito, in my opinion, played better than Pazzo. Yes he did not score but there are "signs of life" + he did not miss anything from 2 yards out and faced with an open goal :)
I have no problem with ugly wins as long as there is a project moving forward which unfortunately was not so evident today - mis-placed passes, easy give-aways and balls being lumped forward from defense only to be given back to a sea-horse every single time.
I hope Coutinho gets to play a whole game or at least three quarters a game.
A win is a win is a win. Given we were 17th, I cannot complain too much.
Forza Inter
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Posted by Mustafa on 12/19/2011
In my opinion, Inter are still Inter, relatively the same team as two years ago. The thing that really impresses me is how the youngest players continually are showing the talent that brought them to Milan. Ranocchia, Alvarez, Coutinho and Castaignos. I think Inter still stand a chance at the Scudetto, despite a ten-point margin between Inter and Juve.
I would also like to say that I always read this blog, but it is my first post. I want to become a regular at this blog, and I have ben a lifetime soccer fan here in the U.S.
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Posted by Nathan on 12/19/2011
As Aiyaz H pointed out, the match was played on an artificial pitch. Any notion that attractive football would be played was dispensed with when I could see that even Zanetti was struggling to complete a pass.
I do not agree with those who believe that Inter was lucky to win. When Julio Cesar is not called on to make a noticeable save until the closing stages it is difficult to call Cesena unlucky.
It was not exciting but it was relatively straight forward. Inter is a completely different side when Maicon and Lucio are fit.
When one considers that this brief surge up the table has happened with Sneijder as a spectator and Forlan only recently returned, I can't imagine the four clubs above Inter are feeling all that comfortable. Based on Moratti's comments this morning, I expect to see a player or two come in next month. Perhaps they can ship Zarate out on loan - his total lack of production outside the match in Moscow has been baffling to me.
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Posted by Bellal A. on 12/19/2011
@Butler, Maicons crosses arent too bad, if i recall i used to always love watching his darting runs down the flank and then he makes a good attempt with a cross, but your right we do need a dead ball specialist like Sneijder.
Pazzini was not the sharpest on the pitch and Milito looked better than him i would say, in my opinion Cesena was playing a bit defensive this first half. Cesena were more attacking in the second half and even forced J. Cesar into some fine saves towards the end of the match.
Thanks for the honorable mention Gianni, good to know that our opinions are being acknowledged, makes me want to visit this blog even more!
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Posted by Aflack on 12/19/2011
Cesena pressed well the entire game. Defenders, especially Ranocchia, made A LOT of poor passes. It looked almost inevitable that Inter would concede a goal due to one of those mistakes, but Cesena failed to convert them into goals. Lucio and JC bailed the team out couple times.
In midfield Inter had a very functional midfield. Only Coutinho looked to link up with Milito and Nagatomo. At the other side Zanetti looked hesitant to cross, and usually laid off for Maicon. When Coutinho was removed at half time for Obi, the link between midfield and striker was lost and Milito disappeared from the picture. Pazzini barely touched the ball a few times. The midfield looked lost and lacking ideas when in possession.
It became apparent that Inter was not capable of scoring in open play. And so the goal came from a well delivered FK. Ranocchia scored, but otherwise he had a horrible game.
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Posted by Nathan on 12/19/2011
It is true that a goal from open play did not look likely, but there were numerous dead ball opportunities and I was not surprised when one resulted in a goal.
Ranocchia did look a little lost and one inexplicable decision to let the ball roll across his body resulted directly in a dangerous break for Cesena. Let us hope this was simply first-game-back rust. He took his goal well.
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Posted by Aflack on 12/19/2011
@Butler
I don't see anyone mentioned this. The first two corners to Inter was taken by CAMBIASSO(!), who predictably crossed poorly. The next corner was taken by Coutinho, who didn't deliver very well. Then I guess Maicon saw enough bad corners and decided to take the rest of set pieces. And Inter's only goal came from Maicon's FK.
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Posted by Nathan on 12/19/2011
Cambiasso does take the occasional dead ball. Without Sneidjer, Forlan, or even Alvarez on the pitch there is not an obvious choice to take free kicks and corners. Coutinho would seem the obvious choice, but he is still some distance short of assertive. He could do with just a little of Balotelli's self-regard.
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Posted by Sam on 12/19/2011
@Nathan: Great call on the Balotelli self regard for Cou. I honestly see him as the youngster with the most potential but he has to start demanding the ball like Sneijder or Silva at Man City and making the play. Too often he waits to be fed and disappears from the play.
As for the free kick issue. Cambiasso has taken corners and free kicks when others have been unavailable but he is obviously not great at it. He must be doing something at training though. I remember a couple of years ago we had Sneijder, Balotelli, Eto'o amongst others lining up to take them. It is definitely one area that has taken a hit!
Hopefully we get some new talent in January. Zarate for me hasnt earnt a permament deal for whatever reason. For me the concern is that Ranieri seems to want fast players (wingers) which is the only place the youngsters seem to get played. I hope we dont bring in new wingers and the youngsters find themselves without opportunities again. That would be a step back.
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Posted by Nathan on 12/20/2011
@ Sam: I agree that Coutinho is hugely talented but he does seem to defer to the senior players. This will do no one any good. Alvarez needs to become more comfortable on his right foot, but he definitely does not have a problem doing as he sees fit. The Zarate situation reminds me a bit of Suazo, Mancini, and Quaresma. All these players seemingly offered something the side did not have but they all failed to do anything other than frustrate supporters. Zarate may come good, but his track record does not inspire optimism.
I too am reluctant to see the youngsters displaced by new arrivals, but it isn't as clear to me as it was a month ago. Obi needs to play before Stankovic, but do you put him in the starting eleven instead of Cambiasso or Motta? Do we want to see Faraoni instead of Maicon? Nagatomo and Sneidjer are young(ish) players. I have no doubt that Alvarez will get his minutes. To me, the players that should be worried about minutes after Christmas are the forwards.
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Posted by Robbie on 12/20/2011
Long time reader, first time poster.
I don't have anything to contribute with regards to the match, everything that needed to be said has been said already and better than I can.
I just wanted to comment on the failure by Ranieri to have any sort of real plan when it comes to the youngsters. It seems like our very gifted young starlets are being played totally out of position all the time. Faraoni is not a winger, and Coutinho, I'm sure he can play at left wing, but it's not his favoured position, and given the player (bless him) is polite and deferential to the olders, it means he barely sees the ball. Zarate has undeniable talent, but he disappears from games so often. You can tell he tries hard. Alvarez will come good eventually, the boy has much, much quality, that is apparent. I want Castaignos to get more of a run in the team as well, he has the raw material to do great. I know right now we have to win points. But there's no harm in trying something different.
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Posted by connor on 12/20/2011
i am sorry for those who are fans of Milito, but he has vanished. He is not the same quality player, not the shadow of his former self. I'm really starting to believe he is a waste of a spot on the starting 11. I wish he'd do well, but for a clinical finisher such as himself he should be scoring a LOT more than just PKs. And because of his lack of goals, we need to fill that position with a player who can produce. Coutinho, as you have all mentioned, is playing extremely well, as is Alvarez. Would a Xmas tree formation work? (not just to match christmas). play motta, cambiasso, zanetti in the holding mid, alvarez and coutinho behind Pazzo or Forlan. It gives Coutinho that "CAM" role that he thrives in rather than the LW, so does Alvarez. I just want Inter that we all love to play well again. 10 points is NOT that much. We cut Milan's 13 point advantage with half a season, we can do it again this year. I believe that once Juve slip up, it will continue to happen. Napoli for example...
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Posted by Sam on 12/20/2011
@Nathan: Yeah good call with the strikers. They have been abysmal this season. The amount of sitters they have somehow missed it is appalling!
@Robbie: Nice post mate. Ranieri has a difficult juggling act trying to get points and play youngsters. With Zarate, it seems he is only effective with Coutinho on the field as Cou likes to play short one twos and quick passes, this suits Zarates games. When Cou isnt on Zarate tends to run toward the sidelines or try and dribble past ten players. I agree with Castaignos too. He scored that cracker to win us the match a while back but has disappeared since then, despite both Milito and Pazzini struggling to get anywhere near the target. They dont seem to work well together for whatever reason. I would like to see Castaignos play for an extended period with one of the other two and see how it goes. The lad has talent but needs a chance to show it. Maybe Pazz and Milito are just doing awesome at training!
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Posted by Butler on 12/20/2011
My preferred lineup would be
Maicon - Lucio - Ranocchia - Nagatomo
---------Cambiasso - Motta/Obi-------
----Alvarez-----Coutinho----Zarate---
-----------------Pazzini-------------
Its VERY wishful thinking, I know. But @ whoever said that they want a MF of Zanetti, Cambiasso and Motta I have to say that's suicide. Way too slow
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Posted by Levi on 12/20/2011
@Butler I see the usefulness of a lineup like that but I would still argue that Zanetti is a stronger candidate for def mid because of his consistency and vision than a Motta/Obi combination. Especially if your speed is used up front with Alvarez/Coutinho and on the backs with Maicon and the workhorse Nagatomo. I still have issues with Zarate however. Dribblers tend to keep the ball, but without the outside shooting or crossing capabilities, they often lose chances, especially in this scheme. Pazzini is a fox in the box, at least on paper, so with Forlan behind on the left wing those chances increase dramatically. Who do you sub out with Sneijder? Coutinho?
There is so much experience on this pitch, it is difficult to decide who must be sacrificed for the future of the club. How do you tell Zanetti that he is too old, or Motta too slow, when they keep producing good football?
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Posted by Nathan on 12/20/2011
@Butler
I am not the one the suggested the Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta midfield but I suppose it all depends on what your definition of suicide is. The lineup you suggest would have to win 3-2 and right now I am fine with 1-0 and 2-0. Alvarez has shown that he has the ability to nick the ball off people, but Coutinho and Zarate aren't going to be tackling anybody. That's a lot of space for counter attacks. On current form I am going with Samuel instead of Ranocchia and Forlan instead of Pazzini.
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Posted by Gianni on 12/20/2011
Comments' section is your section and I try to limit my presence here. However, this time I owe you all a big thank you and a warm welcome to Mustafa and Robbie. Sometimes it's hard to find time to write here, but I always manage to find time to read you. Always a pleasure. Maybe Ranieri should read it as well, many good tips from you...
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Posted by Richard on 12/20/2011
Hey guys first time i am posting on the blog. I agree with a lot of the earlier posts and the fact that we need to integrate our younger players into the starting 11. but no one has mentioned andrea poli who i thought had a great debut against genoa and showed a lot of hustle. wat do you guys think of him? i believe he should play in the middle of the park because he will give us energy. wat position do u think he should play?
FORZA INTER from Trinidad
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Posted by Nima on 12/20/2011
Hi guys, I personally think that what Rans doing makes sense. Making sure we get the basics right before we state making leaps. Don't forget this squad has seen several coaching styles and tactics over a short term. So Rans ding the right thing. We do need a Gotz type of player and another young central defender is essential. I think our manager is doing well and allowing the players to adjust whilst still under pressure. Need to keep ranieri for two more seasons I think
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Posted by Nathan on 12/20/2011
Poli did look energetic and undoubtedly does belong in the middle but as has been discussed above, who sits down to make room for him? Stankovic has reached the point in his career where he should be a sub, but it hard for me to argue that Zanetti, Cambiasso and Motta should sit to make room. Mariga is on loan at Real Sociedad, Muntari is seemingly content with a few minutes every third match, and there are still way more bodies than spots. It seems to take a certain force of will to succeed in the midfield at Inter. The list of disappointments and/or failures that includes Pele, Biabiany, Quaresma, Mancini, Kerlon, Kharja, Okan, and Emre is long and seemingly growing.
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Posted by Nima on 12/20/2011
Very good point Nathan-not only were the failed midfielders have huge potential before inter but seemingly after inter they declined dramatically. So did inter carry them and make them look good or were they ruined by inter? Don't forget dalmat who was very talented .... inters current squad deficiencies are being addressed by the new young players bring brought in. More is needed but ranieri has a awful job to do which is give young players games while winning games and climbing the table as well as competing on three fronts. Given recent events and changes in tactics I think the team and manager need credit majorly.
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Posted by zack k. on 12/20/2011
Overall it seemed as if we had control but couldn't finish, until about minute 70 when we started to play prevent and had one of our inter moments. you know what im talking about when the box is loaded and they are pounding us with shots/passes and the ball just sits on the 6 until someone decides to kick it away. happens about once a game. putting forlan in at 83' is stupid and a waste. obi in at half was fine but we did lose a connection between coutinho and the left flank. coutinho played hard and didnt deserve to get pulled. if anyone i would have replaced motta at half or 60' mark. we need to start subbing more and earlier than the 80'. unless we put all the old guys in holding mid our def sucks. we need to start scoring 2+/ game and playing our younger players. i would love to see BUTLER's lineup but no Motta, and forlan not zarate. that should produce 3-1/ 3-2 wins.
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Posted by Sam on 12/20/2011
Wow, I think this is the most comments on one of these blogs!
@Nima and Nathan: Interesting comment about all the failed midfielders, I think it is due to the lack of continuity in coaching and match style in combination with transfer targets. Moratti seems to want us to play passing, attacking football and asks his coaches to implement it. We then go out and buy a few fast, dribbling attacking players to put this style to use. Unfortunately our current players all play a completely different style and cannot adapt to the faster pace play. The new players cannot adapt to the slower, counter style play and therefore end up doing nothing.
Inter need a LONG term vision to be implemented over a few seasons, with a decent period of transition and personnel turnover. We also need one coach to take us through this transition. Moratti needs to be patient and accept some setbacks, and so must the fans. Will be interesting in the next transfer market.
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Posted by Nathan on 12/20/2011
@zack: I do not agree that putting on Forlan for the last 10 minutes was a waste. He is coming back from a long term injury and his return needs to be carefuly managed.
@Sam: I think there are a variety of reasons behind the midfield turnover. Moratti was not excited about paying a lot of cash for Quaresma. Mourinho specifically asked for him and started with a 4-3-3 with Quaresma and Mancini on the wings. Obviously that didn't last long. It is easy to forget that for every Solari and Veron there has been a Cambiasso and a Deki, mainstays since 2004. Zanetti since 1995. It is hard for a young player to make his way past these type of world class players.
I honestly believe there is a long term vision because of Financial Fair Play. Moratti has stated outright that he is tired of losing money. With Alvarez, Coutinho, Zarate, Castaignos, Jonathan, Nagatomo, Obi, Faraoni, Crisetig, Poli, Caldirola, and Ranocchia there is youth available.
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Posted by Totoibra on 12/20/2011
I have to agree with the point made regarding half time substitutes. I would also like to see obi get a better run in the team. The next half of the season will be more difficult with away trips to Juve, Napoli, Udinese and Roma. Also the 2 derbies.
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Posted by Bellal A. on 12/21/2011
@zack, forlan has to start picking up his results, im sure he is miles above Pazzini and Milito at this point but he cant just start a 90 minute match like that, 83 minute will show us just how hungry he can be to play and he did alot in that 7 minutes especially with how that match was lol
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Posted by sia on 12/21/2011
@ Gianni
I'm just happy and delightfully surprised of such a great Nerazzurri support and comments, it's nice to see so many passionate Inter fans participating on this Blog, I'm glad Gianni used Role Reversal topic to spark all Interisti to come alive and voice their opinions, this is fantastic. Well done everyone and Gianni.
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Posted by Bellal A. on 12/21/2011
Forza Inter!!
What do you guys think of all these transfer rumors flying about Inter? Supposedly we have a couple targets who play for there U-21 teams from South America (a striker and defender if im not mistaken), i really wish we could land Ganso or Hazard or even Neymar haha
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About
Gianni Serra is an Italian journalist. He currently writes for lechampions.it. Serra was born in 1969 in Cagliari. He began working as football reporter on the Unione Sarda newspaper in 1990 and became IS monthly magazine Editor-in-Chief in 2001 before moving to Lechampions in 2008.
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