Javier Zanetti has wished Inter a happy birthday, as the Nerazzurri turn 104 years old today.
Following a break from Milan Cricket and Football Club, FC Internazionale was formed on March 9, 1908, partly because of the wish to create a club more open to foreign players than other Italian sides had been up to then.
Fittingly in celebrating entering their 105th year of existence today, the club received a birthday message from Argentine captain Zanetti.
“Happy birthday greetings to my dearest Inter,” the 38-year-old began in a statement from the team hotel.
“Being part of this beautiful family for so many years is a source of great pride. I can never stop thanking President [Massimo] Moratti for having given me this opportunity.
“And over these many years it has been a great honour to share in the triumphs, but also the difficult times, with many directors, Coaches, teammates, staff members, and all the fans who love this club and who I thank for having always been so supportive.
“We are all special, because we are Interisti. So once again - happy birthday Inter, and may there be another 100 more years like these!”
La Beneamata are in League action tonight, looking to end a winless run of seven Serie A games with a visit to Chievo.//football-italia.net
Cesare Prandelli believes 2012 is Italian football’s year with the Champions League and European Championships, but how would he solve Inter’s woes?
There are three Italian sides in the last 16 of Europe’s top club competition, as Milan beat Arsenal 4-0 while next week Napoli face Chelsea and Inter visit Olympique Marseille.
Cesare Prandelli believes 2012 is Italian football’s year with the Champions League and European Championships, but how would he solve Inter’s woes?
There are three Italian sides in the last 16 of Europe’s top club competition, as Milan beat Arsenal 4-0 while next week Napoli face Chelsea and Inter visit Olympique Marseille.
“In a one-off game, Napoli can beat anyone,” said Prandelli. “Nowadays all clubs would prefer to avoid taking on Walter Mazzarri’s men in a decisive match.
“I am confident all three Italians will go through to the quarter-finals. Milan have practically booked their ticket with that 4-0 victory over Arsenal.
“Inter are going through a strange season of highs and lows. At the moment it is difficult for them, but they have the players to rise up again. They need to push back with the pride of their champions.”
This year also sees Euro 2012 and Prandelli’s Italy qualified unbeaten, although they face Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in the first round.
“We’ll see what happens, but it’s not easy, as we have Spain in our group.
Juventus boss Antonio Conte used his Press conference ahead of the Parma game to label Milan as the “super favourites” for the Scudetto.
The Old Lady actually sit at the top of the standings, one point ahead of the Rossoneri, but the tactician has piled the pressure on his rivals.
“Milan’s ability to win so easily is surprising,” Conte noted after the San Siro giants disposed of Cagliari 3-0 last night.
“Yesterday, with so many absences, they took the points with absolute tranquillity. They have a great champion like Zlatan Ibrahimovic who, at times, gives the sensation that he is Gulliver, a giant.
“They are so impressive that they are the super favourites to win the title. Up until now we are keeping up with them and we hope to keep the championship alive until the very end.
“There are still 18 games to go and there are 54 points on offer, so anything can happen amongst the top six or seven sides.” Source : http://www.football-italia.net
Juventus boss Antonio Conte wants to fight for more than just a third-place finish in Serie A this season.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Atalanta, the tactician underlined how hungry he is to get the Old Lady back to the very top.
“I wouldn’t sign for third place right now if it was offered to me,” the former Juve midfielder, who arrived from Siena in the summer, stated.
“I am obliged to give my best and dream about big targets. I wouldn’t have signed in June for just minimal objectives.”
The Bianconeri are currently first in Serie A and a win in Bergamo will see them crowned as Winter Champions.
“We are top because we have shown a great amount of determination, enthusiasm and a desire to win. I want to put my faith in players who want to achieve extraordinary things.
“We have another half of the season to go to confirm everything that we have done well so far. It won’t be easy.”
Diego Milito feels the derby victory will give Inter “the confidence to face the next games” in the Scudetto race.
“I am so very happy. We had a great performance against an opponent of excellent quality,” he said after scoring in the 1-0 result over Milan.
“We knew it would be difficult and remained concentrated throughout, so we’re happy to have won the derby.”
The Nerazzurri had previously lost the head-to-heads against Juventus, Udinese and Napoli, but are back in the title race and now fourth.
“We really needed to beat one of the other big clubs and knew winning this would give us the confidence to face the next games.
“Winning the derby is wonderful, especially for all those who stayed close to me in difficult moments. Being fortunate enough to score the only goal makes me doubly happy.”
