Inter Milan vs. Manchester United

Mourinho warns of United counter attacking threat

Translated and tidied up from Gazzetta

Having beaten Bologna, the Portuguese spoke of the up and coming 'Clash of Champions' in the Champions League: "With regards to the counterattack, they are the best in the world, they can kill you with their speed. But we can match them and I want the San Siro as atmospheric as Old Trafford"

BOLOGNA, February 21 2009 - With the game against Manchester United approaching, Inter won the match in Bologna to keep the advantage on Juve and Milan and issued sighs of relief at the condition of Ibrahimovic. Mourinho speaks of the challenge the Red Devils pose - "I want my players to take great pleasure when playing Manchester United, without fear of leaving in the second round. I have great confidence to succeed. They are a very dangerous team on the inactive balls, I expect a great game."

CHARACTER - The Portuguese spoke immediately after the victory (2-1) in Bologna - "We do not yet have enough points to consider the title safe - warns Mourinho, it's too early. Tonight we beat a very difficult opponent, a side very well organised defensively, one which has great character, with an aggressive attitude and will to win that are the hallmarks of of their coach."

COUNTER ATTACKING THREAT - "I do not want my players to feel under pressure for the game against Mancheser, I want them to play this game with great pleasure and I have great confidence that we can do it - says the Portuguese, who has bEen familiar with Manchester United since 2004, "they are the best team in the world when it comes to counterattacking football, killing off their opponents whilst in transition. They have in Berbatov a quality player who is technically fantastic and then of course Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez or Park, who can make a difference by giving depth and speed. The match calls for great concentration on our part. "

THE APPEAL TO THE SAN SIRO - Mourinho seeks the help of the fans - "We know that we'll play at Old Trafford against a 12th man, when Manchester come to the San Siro they must also play against the 12th man." The challenge comes at the right time for Inter, with only the injury of Samuel affecting them. "We will show up in a strong physical and psychological condition, and tactically we know what we should do on the field. I expect a great game, I want the world to be happy when watching on the TV.

jose-mourinho-funny-face.jpg


http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/SerieA/Squadre/Inter/Primo_Piano/2009/02/21/mourinho_2102.shtml
 
Park is blatently starting this game everyone, hence the rest against Blackburn.

----------------- Van der Sar --------------
- O'Shea --- Ferdinand ---- Evans --- Evra -
Ronaldo --- Fletcher --------- Giggs --- Park
------------------------ Rooney -----------
----------------- Berbatov -----------------

Subs: Kuszczak; Rafael, Brown; Carrick, Scholes, Nani; Tévez.
 
kundalini said:
Anyone watch enough Serie A to know Inter's likely line-up? Do they have a left winger they could use to expose Rafael? I can't remember which flank Mancini plays on.

Caesar

Maicon
Samuel
Cordoba
Maxwell

Cambiasso
Zanetti
Stankovic
Muntari

Adriano
Ibrahimovic
Click to expand...
I reckon Santon will start instead of Maxwell.
Maxwell has more or less been benched because of this kid. The only question is whether or not Mourinho feels he's ready for the Champions League - or ready to face Ronaldo. Pato seemed to skin him on at least a couple occasions the other weekend, but Maxwell is apparently worse both defensively and when going forward.
 
Evans looks likely to miss this game... And with G.Nev, Brown and even O'Shea out... Who's going to partner Ferdinand in centre back? :nervous:
 
Could we see some insane experimental formation if Brown Evans Neville and O Shea remain out?

Something like

VDC
Rafael Ferdinand Evra
Carrick Fletcher

Ronaldo Scholes Giggs Park

Rooney​

Carrick and Fletcher as out and out DMs


With that said in honesty I think if worst comes to worst he'll just play a half fit O Shea there.
 
- - - - - - - - - - VDS

- - Rafael - O'Shea - Ferdinand - Evra
- - - - - Carrick - - - Fletcher - - - - -
Park - - - - - Scholes - - - - - - Rooney

- - - - - - - - - Ronaldo - - - - - - - - -

Sacrificing Rooney and playing him as a left sided midfielder. Similar type of role as he did against Barcelona.

0-0 would be a fantastic result given our current crisis at the back. If we can do that, I'd definitely fancy our chances on the return trip at OT.
 
Fletcher and Giggs didn't start the last 2 games, they will start IMO. Scholes started in these games, he won't start vs Inter. The question is about Carrick and Park. One of them won't start IMO. Maybe our formation will be very similar to the one we used vs Chelsea at OT.
 
Crerand said Evra would go to the centre to partner Rio while Fabio would go LB if noone recovers in time.

Madness.
 
----------------------VDS-------------------------


---Sheasy-------Rio----------Evans--------Evra----



---------------------Carrick----------------------


----Park---------Fletcher--Giggs----------Ronaldo--



--------------------Rooney-------------------------


Subs: Foster, Rafael, Scholes, Tevez, Berbatov, Nani, Fabio
Prediction:1-1. Goal from Giggs.
I think Evans and Sheasy will be patched up in time & play with painkillers. Fergie will pack a 5 man midfield to choke Inter's play & try to hit them on the counter attacks down the flanks or score through setpieces.
 
Reckon we might pack the midfield in this one? If with do I'd like to see;

- VDS -
- Rafa - O'Shea - Rio - Evra -
- Ronaldo - Fletcher - Carrick - Giggs - Rooney -
- Berbatov -​

Or if we go as we have been normally this season.

- VDS -
- Rafa - O'Shea - Rio - Evra -
- Ronaldo - Giggs - Carrick - Park -
- Rooney - Berbatov -​

Both teams are based if Evans are injured, if he isn't bang him in the middle and play O'Shea out on the right.

Either way, its going to be interesting team selection.
 
------------VDS----------------

O'Shea---Rio-----Evans-----Evra

Ronaldo---Carrick----Giggs---Park

-----------Berba-----Rooney-----
 
If worst comes to worst, Fletcher could always drop back into CB alongside Rio. But I don't even want to contemplate that possibility :nervous:
 
What is it with the San Siro and defensive injuries? In 2007 we had 3 of our first choice back 4 out, and now we're contemplating playing Evra at fecking centre half! :mad:
 
Is not all bad news it seems.

Walter Samuel is about to miss our match too, he strained a muscle in the warm up against Bologna this weekend.

It'll be Chivu and Cordoba them. I'm pretty sure we can score against them.
 
REd FUn DevIl said:
Is not all bad news it seems.

Walter Samuel is about to miss our match too, he strained a muscle in the warm up against Bologna this weekend.

It'll be Chivu and Cordoba them. I'm pretty sure we can score against them.
Click to expand...

Two short CB's, hope we can take advantage. Berba, it's time to score a header!
 
Inter Milan defender Walter Samuel looks set to miss next week's UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United through injury.

Argentine ace Samuel missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Bologna with a calf problem.

Scans have shown Samuel has suffered a relapse of an old injury and it is almost certain he will miss the visit of United on Tuesday.

It means Inter boss Jose Mourinho is left with Ivan Cordoba, Cristian Chivu and Nicolas Burdisso to choose from for his centre back pairing.
Click to expand...
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_4960878,00.html

It's good Inter have also injuries in defense.

To be honest Cordoba, Chivu and Burdisso don't make me scared. But I haven't seen them in action for a long time, so I can be mistaken.

Luis Medina Cantalejo is going to referee our game against Inter on Tuesday.

He met previously with United three times. Against Lyon away last season, Lille at home two seasons ago and Debrecen at home in 2005. Two wins, one draw.
 
Cordoba was immense at Anfield last season, hopefully he won't put in that sort of display again on Tuesday. Samuel can be quite slow and cumbersome at times so for me the prospect of not having to see him defend one on one against either Rooney or Ronaldo is a disappointment.
 
If Evans and O'Shea are out, then I hope we don't feck about by moving players from other positions into the backline. I have read people saying that Evra, Carrick or Fletcher could be moved alongside Rio, but it would be a disaster.

James Chester may have nigh on no experience, but he is the reserves captain, so he evidently has some ability. It is best to pick an actual centre half in a game of such magnitude. Imagine bloody Fletcher going up against Ibrahimovic! A young lad like Chester could well rise to the challenge of such a game.

I have a feeling that Evans/O'Shea will play though.
 
Skelter said:
Or completely bottle it.
Click to expand...

I totally agree, but a scenario which pits Carrick, Fletcher or Evra in a match up with Adriano and Ibrahimovic is absurd. They are not centre halves and as such do not possess the qualities required. Chester may be inexperienced in the extreme, but he has the basic qualities required to play the position.

He would have the calming and organising influence of very experienced players like Van Der Sar, Evra and Ferdinand alongside him. With some hard workers in midfield (Park and Fletcher) I would say he would be adequately supported.
 
Feed Me said:
If Evans and O'Shea are out, then I hope we don't feck about by moving players from other positions into the backline. I have read people saying that Evra, Carrick or Fletcher could be moved alongside Rio, but it would be a disaster.

James Chester may have nigh on no experience, but he is the reserves captain, so he evidently has some ability. It is best to pick an actual centre half in a game of such magnitude. Imagine bloody Fletcher going up against Ibrahimovic! A young lad like Chester could well rise to the challenge of such a game.

I have a feeling that Evans/O'Shea will play though.
Click to expand...

Chester's on loan at Peterborough.
 
Brwned said:
Chester's on loan at Peterborough.
Click to expand...

Is he. I read that he was an option for Ferguson on Tuesday.

Fair enough, that means our options are even more limited.

Hopefully, Sheasy and or Evans will be fit. That Vidic red is more and more costly...

:nervous:
 
Maciek said:
Luis Medina Cantalejo is going to referee our game against Inter on Tuesday.

He met previously with United three times. Against Lyon away last season, Lille at home two seasons ago and Debrecen at home in 2005. Two wins, one draw.
Click to expand...

Cantalejo is monumentally picky. He will throw yellow cards about like confetti, and we won't get a flowing game at all with him at the whistle.
 
Castolo said:
Cantalejo is monumentally picky. He will throw yellow cards about like confetti, and we won't get a flowing game at all with him at the whistle.
Click to expand...

No Scholes then!

What are the Champions league rules on bookings from here on in? Do they carry on from the group stages and is it 2 yellows means a 1 game suspension?
 
Havak said:
Park is blatently starting this game everyone, hence the rest against Blackburn.

----------------- Van der Sar --------------
- O'Shea --- Ferdinand ---- Evans --- Evra -
Ronaldo --- Fletcher --------- Giggs --- Park
------------------------ Rooney -----------
----------------- Berbatov -----------------

Subs: Kuszczak; Rafael, Brown; Carrick, Scholes, Nani; Tévez.
Click to expand...

This is what i'd have...
 
Gazza said:
No Scholes then!

What are the Champions league rules on bookings from here on in? Do they carry on from the group stages and is it 2 yellows means a 1 game suspension?
Click to expand...

what a coincidence as those were the exact words that i thought when i read what the person above you wrote.
 
Van Der Sar

---------Ferdinand-----------Evra

Ronaldo Giggs Carrick Fletcher Nani

Rooney Berbatov Tevez​
 
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