MD23: Inter - Livorno 16/2/08 (15.00 UK)

[Jager]

Serie A Week 23 -
Inter - Livorno

Stadio Meazza


Inter are still flying high at the top of Serie A and undefeated this season, with relegation-threatened Livorno the latest side to try and end the Nerazzurri’s impressive run.

Roberto Mancini’s boys are strong favourites to retain the Scudetto this term after winning 10 of their last 11 League games, the exception coming in the form of a 0-0 draw at Udinese in Week 20, and building up an eight-point lead over second-placed Roma. With Week 25 seeing the top two coming face to face, Inter will be keen to keep that lead intact for when they take on their rivals.

The Nerazzurri still have to contend with a nightmarish list of injuries. Patrick Vieira didn’t help the situation by getting sent off for dissent against Empoli and will be suspended for this game. He will join Douglas Maicon, Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel, Aparecido Cesar, Dejan Stankovic and Luis Figo in the stands as all six are currently out of action through injury, while there are also fears that Luis Jimenez may have to pull out of the game after suffering a muscle twinge, but the Chilean midfielder will undergo a late fitness test at the weekend before the decision is made.

David Balleri is suspended for Livorno after the veteran picked up one yellow card too many this season. On the injury front, Coach Giancarlo Camolese will have to make do without the services of midfielders Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda, as well as young forward Francesco Volpe. Alessandro Grandoni and Nico Pulzetti look set to hold on to their slots in the team despite strong pushes from Dario Knezevic and Massimo Loviso for places in the starting line-up.

The Amaranto had looked set to break free of the relegation whirlpool before Christmas after Camolese managed to turn the team’s fortunes around, but they’re now back circling the drain. The 3-1 loss to Juventus seemed to give the Tuscans’ confidence a real knock and have followed that result with a defeat to struggling Palermo and then gave away their lead against Genoa at the Armando Picchi last week. It will be a tall order to stop that disappointing run at the San Siro.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Tavano (Livorno) – The former Valencia and Roma flop has been back at his best for Livorno in recent weeks and if anyone can cause an upset in this match it is Tavano.

Last season: Inter 4-1 Livorno

Form guide: Inter (W W D W W) Livorno (W W L L D)


Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Burdisso, Cordoba, Materazzi, Chivu; Zanetti, Maniche, Cambiasso, Jimenez; Suazo, Ibrahimovic

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Pavan, Galante; E Filippini, Vidigal, De Vezze, Pulzetti, Pasquale; Tavano, Bogdani

Ref: To follow...

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[D-Kin]

Another win for Inter then I guess.

Livorno would do well to even score.

[Jager]

We play on Tuesday in England, we could get sidetracked. Not happy about our play of late, and Ibra has cooled off.

Anything can happen.....

[D-Kin]

Mancio blasts ‘biased’ Press Friday 15 February, 2008

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Inter boss Roberto Mancini has bemoaned the recent media witch-hunt and is focusing on seeing off Livorno tomorrow.

The Nerazzurri are pulling away with the Scudetto, but the nation’s Press have called their achievements into question after recent questionable refereeing decisions in their favour.

“It doesn’t seem right that people talk in a certain way when there is an incident that involves Inter while such things aren’t even discussed when it’s another team,” Mancini moaned on Sky Sport Italia.

“For example, after the game in Udine they didn’t discuss Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s disallowed goal in a match that we were playing with 10 men.

“A perfectly good goal was disallowed but it didn’t seem to me that anyone paid any attention.

“I understand that people are doing everything to put us under pressure and make us lose, but I think that all these episodes should be given equal spotlight.

“Everyone suffers from mistakes at some point, but it isn’t through any sinister motives. After the Calciopoli scandal it is in the past and won’t happen anymore, but referees can still make mistakes and always will.”

Livorno are on good form and returned from Milan with a draw against the Rossoneri in midweek.

“Livorno are a tough team,” Mancio admitted. “They chase hard and lately have been in good form. We will need to be totally focused.

“Under Fernando Orsi at the start of the campaign they looked a bit tired by their fixture demands, but with Giancarlo Camolese in charge they seem wiser.”

Mancini is ready to welcome back Portuguese veteran Luis Figo and Argentine striking star Hernan Crespo from injury problems.

“It is important for Crespo to play and score,” he said. “I hope that he can make up for lost time.

“Figo is in the squad and I think that it is best to reintegrate him slowly. He obviously won’t be playing a full 90 minutes.”

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[D-Kin]

Camolese challenges Inter Saturday 16 February, 2008

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Giancarlo Camolese managed to stop Milan midweek and believes Livorno can do the same with Inter this afternoon. “We have no fear.”

The Amaranto played at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday, holding the Rossoneri to a 1-1 draw in the rescheduled Week 16 tie, and enter the same arena again.

“There are many great champions at Inter, not just one individual who stands out, but it will be fascinating for us to confront an opponent of this calibre.

“They are among the strongest sides in the world. As far as we are concerned, we will give it 100 per cent until the final whistle.”

Camolese did have to deal with a setback at San Siro, as top scorer Francesco Tavano limped off with a thigh strain during the Milan match.

“Francesco will unfortunately not be at our disposal. He is unique in terms of our system and I will have to evaluate who’ll take his place.”

Tavano will be out of action for at least two weeks, while Diego Tristan is also a doubt as a training ground accident left him with five stitches to his head.

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[hijjawi1]

1-0 Suazo (Min 14)
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2-0 Suazo (Min 18)
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Maicon Chance (Min 34)
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Burdisso Header (Min 59)
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Cambiasso Chance (Min 61)
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[Jager]

Serie A Week 23 - 16/2/08 (15.00 UK)
Inter 2 - 0 Livorno
Suazo 14, 18 (I)
Stadio Meazza


David Suazo's first half brace comfortably saw off Livorno for Inter's 11th win in 12 Serie A games, as Luis Figo and Douglas Maicon made their comebacks.

The all-conquering Nerazzurri are getting increasingly frustrated at the controversy over refereeing decisions. They faced a Livorno side that had held Milan to a 1-1 draw in this stadium on Wednesday in the rescheduled Week 16 tie.

Patrick Vieira sat out a ban, while Francesco Tavano, Diego Tristan, Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel, Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda were injured. Douglas Maicon made his comeback after several weeks out with back pain.

The Amaranto last got a point here in 1947, losing the next five on the trot, conceding 14 goals and scoring twice. Marco Amelia smothered a Javier Zanetti strike and moments later was at full stretch to fingertip Hernan Crespo's effort.

However, Alessandro Diamanti threaded through for Erjon Bogdani and Julio Cesar had to rush out to close him down.

The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes. Cristian Chivu's set-piece found David Suazo for a free header from six yards and the ball bounced under Amelia's legs.

More chaotic defending allowed the Honduras hitman to bag his second in the space of four minutes. Maxwell got down the left flank and his chipped cross struck Diamanti on the chest, falling kindly for Suazo to volley in from five yards.

Julio Cesar blocked a Jose Luis Vidigal snapshot and Maicon fired over, but just before the break Crespo sprung the offside trap and instead of going for glory rolled across for Suazo and the chance went begging.

The second half found Inter frankly uninterested in adding to their advantage, rather saving energy for the upcoming Liverpool clash. A Fabio Galante tackle was perfectly-timed to stop Suazo in his tracks and Nicolas Burdisso's header was well over.

Livorno risked getting back into the game on the hour mark when a fantastic Diamanti free kick cracked against the near post. The move continued and Julio Cesar's brilliant one-handed reaction save denied a diving Vidigal header.

Inter went on the counter in the same incident and Suazo defended the ball to cut back for Esteban Cambiasso, bringing a tough reaction save from Amelia's outstretched foot.

Luis Figo made his comeback several months after fracturing his ankle, boosting his hopes of facing Liverpool next week, and was given a standing ovation by the San Siro crowd. In stoppages Julio Cesar smothered a long-range Antonio Filippini effort, but the game was effectively over a long time ago.


Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon (Figo 72), Burdisso, Chivu, Maxwell; Zanetti, Pelé, Cambiasso, Stankovic (Maniche 68); Suazo, Crespo (Materazzi 85)

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; Balleri (Rossini 71), Pulzetti (Vailatti 68), De Vezze (A Filippini 80), Vidigal, Pasquale; Diamanti, Bogdani

Ref: De Marco

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[Oliver_Kahn]

Did you watch the match Jager ?
If so, how was Pele ?

[Jager]

I thought Pele was alright. He didn't do anything special, but that is not his job. No, he wasn't as good as other weeks mate, but good enough.

Figo came on, and I'm holding out hope that he'll play against Pool. I pray that he will.

[Jager]

And a qoute from the Inter site....

Inter's midfield now looks like the past, the present and the future of the Portuguese national team.

[Jager]

TalkSoccer Media Player

[D-Kin]

Suazo finally coming good then, I knew he would.

[D-Kin]

Mancio snipes at media Saturday 16 February, 2008

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Roberto Mancini reacted sarcastically to media reporting of Inter’s 2-0 win over Livorno. “The goals were valid, whatever will you talk about now?”

The tactician has been increasingly frustrated with the Italian Press over the coverage of controversial refereeing decisions in his team’s favour.

“The goals were valid, so whatever will you talk about now? As for tonight’s Juventus-Roma clash, I’m not even going to watch it – I’m going out for dinner,” said an ironic Mancio.

“The important thing was to win and now we can focus on the Champions League.”

David Suazo scored both goals and could earn himself at least a substitute role in Liverpool next week.

“I rested a few players, but we still used up a lot of energy today. We had chances and in the second half opted to maintain control. By playing like this, Suazo gives me another alternative.”

Patrick Vieira remains a major doubt for the trip to England, as he missed the last two Serie A games with a ban.

“Vieira has not played in a while, so we’ll have to see what condition he’s in over the next three days. Dejan Stankovic played for an hour today, while Douglas Maicon is doing very well. I wanted to rest Esteban Cambiasso, but we needed him.”

Livorno held Milan to a 1-1 draw at San Siro on Wednesday, but conceded two goals in four minutes that ended their hopes of emerging undefeated again.

“It could have been worse,” said Coach Giancarlo Camolese. “When you let in two goals that quickly and then have to attack, it plays into Inter’s hands. Apart from that blackout, we held up well.

“We needed a goal to open the game again, but unfortunately we just managed to hit the woodwork. Inter don’t give you many chances.”

Yet the Nerazzurri didn’t create many opportunities, either, Suazo pouncing on two defensive errors.

“There are moments when if you lose the striker, it’s over. We immediately conceded a second and that compromised the whole match for us.”

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