What is going on at Internazionale (or Inter Milan) if you prefer. Sitting pretty at the top of Serie A, through to the last 4 of the Coppa Italia after defeating rivals Roma and two mouth watering Champions League ties against Manchester United to look forward to. Why does it seem Inter want to throw away what has the potential to be a bountiful season?
At the beginning of the Serie A campaign, Jose Mourinho took charge of an Inter side that looked destined to claim a fourth consecutive Scudetto, with Juventus still rebuilding, AC Milan looking a shambles and last season's nearly men, AS Roma unable to buy a win in the beginning of the season. Inter looked unstoppable at the top. But has Nerazzzuri bandwagon started to come of the rails?
A question I ask because of stumbling performances, a lack of squad harmony and a coach, in Jose Mourinho, who seems intent on clashing with every corner of the Calcio world, including his own president. Jose has insulted the media; Claudio Ranieri and more recently had a few choice words to say about criticism he received from Massimo Moratti (Inter President).
Further adding to his CV, Mourinho is now planning to sue a number of Italian publications that reported a dressing down of the Inter squad following the defeat to Atalanta in week 19. Allegedly, Jose condemned his team, stating they had not deserved any of their three previous consecutive Scudetto's. A statement he has denied.
What of the players? Inter seem extremely over reliant on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and with Adriano, Balotelli and Crespo ‘throwing the toys out the pram', can Inter afford to carry freeloaders? And how many last minute goals or ‘undeserved' 1-0 wins will they be able to grind out over an arduous season?
To my mind Jose Mourinho is creating the same ‘siege mentality' at Inter, just as he did during his Chelsea days. I also believe he will get the best out of misfiring Adriano, just as he did during the first few months of the season, and young Balotelli, only time will tell if he will pay attention to the wise words of Mourinho and work hard in training.
Juventus and AC Milan are keeping pace and are in better form. I ask you, will the pressure of these two giants lead to a capitulation similar to that which so nearly happened last season?
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Will Manchester City make their move for the 'best keeper in football history'?
Manchester City may have targeted one Serie A star and could they follow that with the World's Greatest Ever Goalkeeper . . . Gianluigi Buffon. Beating Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel into 2nd place. According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics Buffon is the best ‘keeper to have played the beautiful game.'
The IFFHS uses stats data to analyse and classify footballers, although widely respected; it also has a number of critics who feel football is such a fluid game it cannot be classified into figures.
Nonetheless, Buffon has, in my opinion, been the best goalkeeper in world for the last 10 years. Casillas, van der Sar and Cech don't match up to a player I consider, has taken goalkeeping to another level.
Manchester City would be extremely lucky to have such a legend among their ranks and in December Buffon openly said he would join City if Juventus accepted a bid.
'If a club is willing to pay that much for you, it would be fair to say I will tell my agents to make the deal happen,' said Buffon. 'Juve can go and buy a team full of champions of their own.'
A very encouraging statement if you are City and with the money they reportedly offered for Kaka, it could only be a matter of time before a fellow Serie A stalwart is in the firing line of the City owners.
City reportedly offered €50 million in the summer and according to Tuttosport, it is thought they will make a bid of €100 for the Juventus stopper in the current transfer window. Juventus like Milan would welcome the chance to invest in the squad, still somewhat light after the recent relegation to Serie B, whilst paying for the new stadium they are building. Will Juventus have more resolve than AC Milan and reject any bid for the greatest goalkeeper this planet has seen?
The IFFHS uses stats data to analyse and classify footballers, although widely respected; it also has a number of critics who feel football is such a fluid game it cannot be classified into figures.
Nonetheless, Buffon has, in my opinion, been the best goalkeeper in world for the last 10 years. Casillas, van der Sar and Cech don't match up to a player I consider, has taken goalkeeping to another level.
Manchester City would be extremely lucky to have such a legend among their ranks and in December Buffon openly said he would join City if Juventus accepted a bid.
'If a club is willing to pay that much for you, it would be fair to say I will tell my agents to make the deal happen,' said Buffon. 'Juve can go and buy a team full of champions of their own.'
A very encouraging statement if you are City and with the money they reportedly offered for Kaka, it could only be a matter of time before a fellow Serie A stalwart is in the firing line of the City owners.
City reportedly offered €50 million in the summer and according to Tuttosport, it is thought they will make a bid of €100 for the Juventus stopper in the current transfer window. Juventus like Milan would welcome the chance to invest in the squad, still somewhat light after the recent relegation to Serie B, whilst paying for the new stadium they are building. Will Juventus have more resolve than AC Milan and reject any bid for the greatest goalkeeper this planet has seen?
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