Inter: All-Time XI

[Jager]

Walter ZENGA 1983-94
Nerazzurro through and through, the goalkeeper grew up in the Inter youth ranks and spent his formative years cheering them on from the stands. Along with Beppe Bergomi and Riccardo Ferri, he formed the backbone of the record-breaking 1988-89 Scudetto winners and went on to play 473 games for the club. A formidable shot-stopper, even if a little suspect on crosses – as those who remember Italia ’90 can testify – he was recently voted Inter’s all-time favourite No 1.

Javier ZANETTI 1995-
Il Capitano’s strength knows no bounds and even at the age of 32 he remains the classic indefatigable right-back. While many a player chose to seek success elsewhere, Zanetti stuck by Inter through thick and thin and notched up over 400 games for the side. His finest moment came when scoring in the 1998 UEFA Cup Final against Lazio. The Argentine international is also a gentleman off the field, setting up an organisation to help children in the Buenos Aires slums.

Beppe BERGOMI 1980-99
Bergomi perhaps symbolised Inter more than any other player over the last two decades, as he stood tall and unflappable in the centre of their defence for almost 20 years. Growing up in the Nerazzurri youth system, he made his debut at the tender age of 17 and would never feature for another club, ending his career with a record 758 appearances.

Tarciso BURGNICH 1962-74
Another of the key members of Helenio Herrera’s Grande Inter of the 1960s, his aggressive style fitted in perfectly with the catenaccio system that worked so effectively. Following brief spells at Udinese, Juventus and Palermo, Burgnich settled at San Siro as both a sweeper and a right-back during his 467 games for the club and notched up 68 Azzurri caps on his way to the 1968 European Championship title.

Giacinto FACCHETTI 1961-78
Facchetti will always have a place in history as Italy’s first attacking full-back. Originally a striker, Helenio Herrera used his pace and power to great effect up and down the left flank, as he was just as capable of marking opponents as he was scoring goals. He’d end his career with 59 in Serie A alone, including 10 in one season, and revitalised his final years in a sweeper role before becoming a director and eventually President of Inter.

Lothar MATTHAUS 1988-92
One of the most complete midfielders in the history of the sport, Matthaus was the driving force of Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad. Having already won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, he joined Inter in 1988 and took the Scudetto at the first attempt with 58 points in 34 games. World Champion, European and World Player of the Year, he was sold after a serious knee injury was hastily thought to end his career.

Gabriele ORIALI 1971-83
Oriali was the Gennaro Gattuso of his age – tough, uncompromising and making up for a lack of pure quality with unstoppable determination. Making his debut at the age of 19 in the 1970-71 Scudetto campaign, he was often a decisive player in the Milan derbies. Taking on the same role for the Italy squad, especially in the 1982 World Cup victory, Oriali even had a song written about him by rock singer and lifelong Inter fan Ligabue.

Luis SUAREZ 1961-70
Luisito Suarez was already a star and European Player of the Year – the first of two Ballon d’Ors – when he arrived in Milan, having scored 112 goals in 216 games for Barcelona with two Liga titles, two Spanish cups and two Fairs Cups, so President Angelo Moratti paid a then-record £0.5m. The exciting Spaniard delighted fans with the unexpected and he returned to Inter twice as a Coach in their time of need.

Antonio Valentin ANGELILLO 1957-61
The Argentine was perhaps one of the most natural talents to wear a Nerazzurri jersey and still holds the Capocannoniere record in an 18-team Serie A with 33 goals in the 1958-59 season. Joining from Boca Juniors at the age of just 20, he was a hero for the fans, but clashed with strict Coach Herrera and was sold after it was claimed his relationship with a nightclub dancer was affecting his football.

RONALDO 1997-02
Il Fenomeno may only have made 100 appearances in all competitions for the club, but Inter fans were left to rue that he left just as he had regained his fitness. Two horrific knee injuries and a bitter departure, not to mention the Scudetto he so nearly won in 1998, made it one of the most troubled times in his career. But with 49 goals in 69 Serie A games, a UEFA Cup and Ballon d’Or from his time at the San Siro, he was the original rabbit-toothed Brazilian prodigy.

Giuseppe MEAZZA 1927-47
The first Italian football superstar, ‘Il Balilla’ lived the Beckham lifestyle in the 1930s. Scoring his debut Inter goal at the age of 17, it was to be the first of a career 278 in Serie A over 433 appearances. Capocannoniere three times, he also took Italy to the 1934 and ’38 World Cups with 33 goals in 53 caps, going on to play for Milan, Juventus, Verona and Atalanta. The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was named after him in 1980.

THE COACH:
Helenio HERRERA 1960-74
Perhaps the most legendary Coach in Italian football history, Il Mago revolutionised the game with his catenaccio tactics, increased involvement in fitness training and diet and could proudly proclaim he invented the ritiro. HH created La Grande Inter that won three Scudetto titles, plus back to back European and Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and ‘65. He ruled with an iron fist and woe betide any player who crossed him.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...e/interxi.html

[hanuma]

3 players in the current team that, in time, might also be remember in a similar light (if they help win a title)

Adriano, Cordoba, Cambiasso.

[Jager]

My gosh, Cordoba must play incredible from here on out to dislodge Bergomi who is god, and Burgnich who was just solid from what I hear.

Cambiasso I agree. Adriano I don't know, we'll see.

Kind of surprised of Ronaldo choice.

[hanuma]

I said consideration, not necissarily a guarantee.

[kent]

Greatest coach in the history of club football IMO. Ronaldo? You have to be kidding me.

[JD]

Jager - how about the XI best you have seen...?

[Jager]

Originally Posted by JD

Jager - how about the XI best you have seen...?

I've been watching football since the mid 70's. You can probably figure out my starting lineup.

[Bentex]

no Nyers? and Matyi is in there... WTF ???

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Jager

I've been watching football since the mid 70's. You can probably figure out my starting lineup.

I can't...so indulge me.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by hanuma

I can't...so indulge me.

Safe to assume, that Altobelli, Bergomi, Facchetti, Matthaus, Orialli, W.Zenga,J. Zanetti, DiBagio would be in the lineup, and untouchable. The rest I would interchange. My lineup would not have the most talent, but tons of leadership and toughness.

I would like to include R.Baggio, however he's Juves, so I will respect that.

Cambiasso and Samuel could be added.

Second striker? Too many to choose from. I can't believe how much qaulity we've had over the years.

Zamarano, Suker, R.Baggio, Ronaldo, Vieri to name a few.

[Bentex]

Originally Posted by Jager

Zamarano, Suker, R.Baggio, Ronaldo, Vieri to name a few.

yeah, when you mention Inter strikers down the years Suker is one that comes to mind straight away

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Bentex

yeah, when you mention Inter strikers down the years Suker is one that comes to mind straight away

True. However there is no doubt that Hakan is a great player, maybe not for us. But that wasn't my point. Shouldn't of mentioned him.

[JD]

if your going 2mention players who where gr8 but not 4 u
then Bergkamp (without whom u wouldn't have won the uefa cup) goes str8 in

in fact that uefa cup is probably the best trophy u have won in the last 17 years
so DB rates above Zamarano, Suker, R.Baggio, Ronaldo and Vieri in actual usefullness

[Bentex]

Bergkamp was the biggest flop in seria a in the last 20 years.
over 1 million quid a goal, he didn't even contribute to the team in other ways.

Ruben Sosa may aswell of played on his own.

[JD]

top scored in the uefa cup - which was the most prestigous trophy they've won in the last 17 years
so although he didn't work as an out-and-out front man in serieA (never his position anyway)
with a partner who hated him

he was still THE main contributor to Inter's best success in nearlt 2 decades