ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - FC Inter Milan

Posted by Gianni Serra on 02/01/2012

Let's start from the end: Inter's activeties in the transfer market can get no more than four out of ten. Why? The youngster Juan is the only permanent acquisition; Thiago Motta and Viviano the only two players sold for good. The rest are just loanees coming and going: Palombo and Guarin came on loan, Jonathan was sent to Parma on loan, just like Coutinho to Espanol and Muntari to AC Milan. Too many loans mean two things: lack of funds and no plans for the future.

In
Palombo is a holding midfielder with a good shot who can combine well with a playmaker in a 4-4-2 formation. He can also play in the diamond's sides.

Fredy Guarin is a modern and versatile midfielder. He gets 10 in nothing but we can say he's between 7 and 8 in everything: he has stamina, good vision, nice touch, and makes always very clever runs and passes. He'd be perfect in a 4-3-3 formation but has quality to settle easily in any other scheme, unless you asked him to play in the Cambiasso or in the Sneijder positions, where he'd be less effective.

Juan. Inter bought this 21-year defender from Internacional Porto Alegre "Because he is one of the most promising youngster in Brazil". With him and Ranocchia Inter has a pair of centre-backs who can lead the defence for a decade. More likely - if Ranieri will stay in charge - to see both leaving in the summer.

Out
Thiago Motta. Inter's squad had only two playmakers capable to play in front of the back four: Motta and Poli. Different players but the only two who could play there. Ranieri never tried in that role the 22-year Poli (another loanee), he trusted only the 30-year Motta. The Brazilian was one of the key-factor in the recent seven wins streak: sold. And no playmaker arrived to replace him. It looks like a [more modest] sequel of Samuel Eto'o's selling strategy.

Coutinho & Jonathan. None of the two was given a fair chance by Ranieri. Juan is tipped to be the next casualty.

Muntari. AC Milan are offering Sulley the (temporary) chance to resurrect his career after being marginalised at Inter in the last two seasons and failing to impress during the six month spell at Sunderland in 2011.

Viviano. Forced to let go to Palermo to avoid any pressure on Julio Cesar and Castellazzi. The former Bologna goalkeeper had the potential to become Inter's new number one for the next ten years. If Roberto Mancini with Francesco Toldo would have adopted Ranieri's way, Julio Cesar would be still at Chievo today.

PS Maybe 4/10 is too generous.

Comments

Posted by nima on 02/01/2012

You have to realise that Ranieri is trying to get us to CL as well as maybe a league title. He can't do this by using young naive players and can't keep talented youngsters on the bench. So loaning them out is a good idea. Coutinho to Spain is a genius idea as it allows him to develop his creativity and vision which is what we need cout to do. Viviano was being wasted and if inter want him he will return. Don't blame Ranieri for Branca decisions! I think Ranieri is a great manager and have always liked him. At Chelsea he solid and established the foundation for Jose to take over. He's shrewd and its proven by his record. We needed him at the start. I even said this before Leo came in that we needed Ranieri! Or someone alike. We have good replacements for maicon with faraoni, nagatomo and Jonathan. Juan will need time and palombo will slot in easy. Branca and forlan? He should be punished for this huge mistake which left us short in CL. Costangos will slot in next season too.Time is key

Posted by Sia on 02/01/2012

Thank you Gianni for the transfer market blog this is nice. It is helpful to learn about the new arrivals, I personally didn't know much about any of them so your blog was helpful. I just hope selling Motta while he was in great shape in past month does not effect us much?

Posted by Mustafa on 02/01/2012

Italy will never learn that you need to give youngsters their chance in order for your football to evolve. Props to Zanetti and Cambiasso, but the new signings of Juan and Freddy Guarin must become a part of this team, and since this is Inter, they should be fighting for a place on the team. Now, the biggest question that the collective Interisti are wondering is, is Claudio Ranieri willing to sacrifice in order for the team to succeed? The lineup is still under consruction, and I want to see some of the wisdom that let Alvarez shine by playing on the left wing. I will be a little more generous than 4/10, because we still have creativity and guile, but how long can that last before Ranieri overlooks it and continue with this awkward 4-2-3-1 (

Posted by Mustafa on 02/01/2012

Continued
Correct me on the formation, but this squad is a strong squad, and a 4-4-2 seems to the best option for Ranieri. He has to be a rebel and let youngsters do what they do, the things they are capable of. Rating: 5/10, please?

Posted by IS - inter on 02/01/2012

losing motta is going to hurt. The main reason is we refuse to play poli in his spot or reshuffle the formation to make wesley the focal point. I don't see how you can run a standard 4-4-2 with zanetti, cambiasso, obi and sneijder (out of position) as your midfielders??? Especially when you have 1 striker (pazzini), who can do NOTHING without service handed to him and the other (milito) who can get involved in link up play but can't take on or smoke any defenders?? Where are the chances supposed to be created?

we were able to mask that when motta was in there, providing some good service up the middle and distributing well to the flanks. now with motta gone, we have to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-2-3-1, with sneijder behind the front 2 or sneijder behind the lone striker like mourinho used to run.

4-2-3-1
cesar
maicon lucio samuel nagatomo
zanetti cambiasso
faraoni sneijder alvarez
milito

4-4-2 diamond
cesar
maicon lucio samuel nagatomo
cambiasso
zanetti alvarez
sneijder
DM GP

Posted by IS - inter on 02/01/2012

also... when it comes to youngsters... i agree with everyone.

Castaignos, countinho, faraoni, poli, alvarez, ranocchia have all had good moments this year.

Honestly, obi confuses me. i don't understand why he gets the nod so often, i haven't seen him do anything that great and i don't even know what his most effective position is.

I know ranocchia had some subpar games too but he needs playing time. i can't believe we let coutinho go out on loan, i just don't get it. in the past year or so we've also sold balotelli, santon, and viviano.

What is the long term plan of inter? i dont get it

Posted by Moises on 02/01/2012

We can all agree with the fact that we are PUZZLED by these choices. This transition is not going to be smooth, the balance between using young and old players is not there. And it seems that Ranieri does not like to take risks.

Probably if the season hadn't started so poorly, things would be different and there could be more room to try new things but there doesn't seem to be a real strategy behind this acquisitions except Sell a great player and get 2 or 3 regular ones.

Posted by Sia on 02/01/2012

Inter defense (Rannochia) looked real bad today aginst Palermo, we tied 4-4 for all bad marking in the back, Rannochia was slow and off his game.

Posted by Sam on 02/01/2012

Agree completely Gianni. I am not sure what exactly is going on at Inter. I guess they are just focused on making the top three and worrying about any long term efforts at the end of the year.
Motta being sold was bad but Inter are not known for holding onto players who express desire to leave so you cannot blame the club for that. Polumbo seems to be a like for like replacement. Overall the team seems no better no worse from the window. Not seen much of Guarin but from what I have read he had one great season under one coach and is now a bench player at Porto. We will see I guess.
I said this at the end of last season but Inter need to look longterm. Get a coach with a long term plan, Clear out some of the older players on big wages and invest in younger players on lower wages and put faith in them, enough of the half measures. Coutinho and Castignos' confidence must be rock bottom at the moment from lack of faith.

Posted by Sam on 02/01/2012

As for todays match Ranieri continued his baffling decisions. I was left bewildered in the prevous weeks when Chivu managed to get straight back into the starting lineup only to prove again what a disaster he has become. If he gets an extension I will stab myself in the foot! Today for some inexplicable reason, with five minutes to go he takes off Milito for Zarate. Between Pazzini and Zarate we are ass likely to get a goal as Russia is to accept American style democracy! Milito had scored four and was our best player! Our season seems to be classic Ranieri. He gets a team together, lifts the players and simplifys the game but he is clearly limited and cannot be the coach for Inters long term. With FFP we cannot just buy new squads every year, we need a long term plan, a long term coach, a long term style and must accept that there may be a few bumps in the road. At the moment CL football next season looks a very unlikely prospect.....

Posted by Sia on 02/01/2012

I agree with Sam, why he took the only player (Milito) that was doing well out? Why not Pazzini instead?

Posted by Tony on 02/02/2012

Agree with Sam. Ranieri's substitutions today were maddening. Stop telling me how important Wesley is and then you take him out in a tie game with plenty of time left. Taking Milito off was unforgiveable. Did Claudio know the score???? I am so disappointed by todays game. ugh!

By the way have you seen their CL submitted roster? They did NOT include Guarin or Castaignos yet found a spot for Crisetig. What the hell is going on there, who is making these decisions????

Posted by Levi on 02/02/2012

The major problem with a 4-4-2, despite its solid midfield and possession style it doesn't allow for much creativity. That's why Sneijder seems to be struggling. But this team can't get a handle on a diamond midfield so they keep reverting back, even mid-game!

I know it was addressed last post, but someone said Forlan couldn't play outside in a 4-2-3-1 scheme. He's played wide almost all his club career, and he played center mid for country. I would worry about his status however, as an injured player. Needed to track back is exhausting for an aging striker trying to get match ready.

I understand the use of pazzini. Though he can't create openings and chances, he is one of the most lethal finishers (when he's on form) in all of Serie A. Sneijder is there to create chances outside, but having a fox in the box like pazzini is an asset that can't be ignored. He doesn't get the service that is required though, which is frustrating.

Posted by Sam on 02/02/2012

@Tony: I think Crestig was included because he is a club trained player from youth and in the CL you have to have a certain number of these in your squad. Obviously Inter dont have so many! Guarin I would imagine is cup tied after POrto made the CL group stages while I would say they simply did not have enough space to accommodate Castignos which is a shame.
@Levi: I see where you are coming from. The club need Sneijder to play if not because they are paying him so much but the system Ranieri is using which is tight and concedes little is not suited to his attacking flair style. It shows that without Sneijder our defence is rock solid but with him we are left exposed, particularly our lack of pace and tough tacklers through the centre. With Samuel out, the one person who can 'break up' attacks, this is even more obvious. Inter need a quick midfield destroyer to break up attacks.De Jong anyone?

Posted by coach ranieri on 02/08/2012

I was disheartened to read ranieri state soon before the Motta deal ‘I’ve been assured he’s staying until June at least. He’s important to my plans and I’m glad he’s staying.’ Overpaying for Sneijder has possibly forced ownership's hand but selling hardworking, skilled, professional team players is a bad business strategy.

Posted by Bernd on 05/10/2012

- What amazing phoots! I especially love the one with their heads together and the sun shining around them. I wish our wedding photographer had been more like you our best phoots were the ones taken by my husband's brother, who was in high school!

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