Zlatan Ibrahimovic

[Adam]

Thursday 20 November, 2008
Blog: Bewitched by Ibra
Are Inter running the risk of becoming Ibra-addicted? Giovanni Spinella takes a look at the side which may just be a one-man team


Every once in a generation a big club finds a world-class player who ties himself inextricably to that side’s colours. By dint of talent, commitment and skill, that individual becomes the team’s symbol.

Napoli had Diego Maradona, Arsenal Thierry Henry, Manchester United Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus Michel Platini and Alex Del Piero, Roma Francesco Totti. In three short years, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become that guy for Inter.

Far more than Ronaldo or Adriano ever could, Ibra has captured the hearts and the imaginations of Inter’s tifosi and of football lovers everywhere. The goals he manages to create out of thin air, the plays he invents, the moves he makes on the pitch all bewitch fans and opponents alike.

When such a person appears, the club inevitably starts to shape itself around him, with players chosen to complement their star and give him the room necessary to work his magic.

But such a policy is risky. Football today can submit players to a gruelling succession of games and the ace, like anyone, will need a break. When that happens, the team can suddenly reveal unexpected weaknesses. If the side’s engine gives way, the entire mechanism grinds to a halt.

This is the danger Inter are in today. Ibrahimovic has played almost every game so far this season and even his endurance isn’t limitless. But more importantly, Inter are showing a dearth of top-class talent to play alongside him.

Adriano has once again failed, Hernan Crespo has barely even seen the pitch, nor has Mario Balotelli. Julio Cruz, Inter’s gardener, is a reliable striker but Inter have yet to confirm that they want to keep him on, undermining his confidence.

Not only that, but with Ricardo Quaresma’s difficulties in adapting to Serie A and Luis Figo’s injury, it’s up to the Swede to carry the side on his large shoulders. So far Ibra has been doing so admirably. Inter on are on a victory-induced high, embellished by Zlatan’s spectacular goals.

But for how long can Ibra last? Inter supporters are obviously hoping at least as long as the big game against Juventus on Saturday. But when Zlatan finally has to pause, the Nerazzurri might discover that all highs must end in an inevitable crash.


Pretty much spot on really. For us to be a team rather than a one man army the likes of Adriano, Balotelli, Quaresma and Mancini have to step up a lot more.

[minterke]

How can Adriano and Balotelli step up if they don't play? Ridiculous statement.

This can only be blamed on Mourinho. We were deemed of being a one-man team with Mancio, which is why we brought in Mourinho to make us more of a unit.

[Adam]

When they have played all 4 of them has had mixed performances if you ask me. Too mixed for my liking. Adriano had done the best I suppose but he has shown to be too unprofessional to make it under Mourinho.

[Ilkinio]

Mike, why you don't blame Adriano and Balotelli? Those two never stepped up.

[A.l.i]

He can't beat Jack Nicholson's smile though.

[Khaled]

I dont understand whats the big problem of us relying on ibra? lol he is our player and he is our best player...he is supposed to make the differance and give us the edge and he is the one who is supposed to stand out. Ibra doesnt play well all the time and with sweden you can see the differance between a team with players like inter and a team with no midfield.

[ronaldinhiano]

Another reason to hate I'mahomobitch :redface: Look I know this might be a bit distasteful....especially coming from me being a Milanista and so on....but Zlatan is really shit....As a player he is brilliant and phenomenal but c'mon this is the guy that aimed tae kwon do kicks at Chivu before you bought him even though they were team mates. Van Der Vaart hates him as well.

Your mouths may well be cad-welded to his dick atm and rightly so because of the stunning performances he's put in....but one day he's going to turn his back on Inter like he did with Juve and join madrid or Che$ki or some new gloryhunting club and act like he's been supporting them since he was a foetus. Then when he's on the other side his arrogance will certainly piss you off ...but not as much as his cynical almost evil tackles on other players.

I don't hate all Inter players. In fact I appreciate the majority of them, but this guy is pure shit. It was almost poetic justice that he started at juve who were at the time evil personified

[nutcracker]

but one day he's going to turn his back on Inter like he did with Juve and join madrid or Che$ki or some new gloryhunting club and act like he's been supporting them since he was a foetus.

Dude, wtf are you talking about? There is even an interview with him when he was still at Malmo and he was telling that Inter is his favourite team since always. Shut the hell up man if you don't know shit what you're talking about.

[lonewolf19]

Alright big man, I hope you are well rested and energized.
We need you to be on top of your game again

[Ilkinio]

I'm pretty sure that u r just sore that Galliani missed out on Ibra.

[Handoyo]

Another reason to hate I'mahomobitch :redface: Look I know this might be a bit distasteful....especially coming from me being a Milanista and so on....but Zlatan is really shit....As a player he is brilliant and phenomenal but c'mon this is the guy that aimed tae kwon do kicks at Chivu before you bought him even though they were team mates. Van Der Vaart hates him as well.

Your mouths may well be cad-welded to his dick atm and rightly so because of the stunning performances he's put in....but one day he's going to turn his back on Inter like he did with Juve and join madrid or Che$ki or some new gloryhunting club and act like he's been supporting them since he was a foetus. Then when he's on the other side his arrogance will certainly piss you off ...but not as much as his cynical almost evil tackles on other players.

I don't hate all Inter players. In fact I appreciate the majority of them, but this guy is pure shit. It was almost poetic justice that he started at juve who were at the time evil personified

1) If you want your opinion to be taken seriously by your rival fans, they do not only have to be sensible but you have to post with at least some respect. I'm a homo bitch, cad-welded to his dick, who is going to listen to you when your posts are littered with all this childish shit?

2) If he was a glory hunter, he'd have joined Milan because at that time, you were stronger than us and we are the perennial loser. (Despite your points penalty or our Coppa Italia glories)

3) If, after a few years, he decides to leave us for another club just like Sheva did to you, I'd be happy to let him go. Only deluded, blinded fans think that Ibra is as much as an Interisti as we are. Perhaps this is the reason why most Milanisti found it hard to let Sheva go.

4) He was an asshole, and if you went through our archive, you'd notice that most of us think that way. But he has matured since and you don't see anymore of those antics since he joined us.

[minterke]

Mike, why you don't blame Adriano and Balotelli? Those two never stepped up.

Balotelli's 18 years old. I hope you know how stupid you sound right now. And Adri did step up, but he fucked up and wasn't given another chance.

Another reason to hate I'mahomobitch :redface: Look I know this might be a bit distasteful....especially coming from me being a Milanista and so on....but Zlatan is really shit....As a player he is brilliant and phenomenal but c'mon this is the guy that aimed tae kwon do kicks at Chivu before you bought him even though they were team mates. Van Der Vaart hates him as well.

Your mouths may well be cad-welded to his dick atm and rightly so because of the stunning performances he's put in....but one day he's going to turn his back on Inter like he did with Juve and join madrid or Che$ki or some new gloryhunting club and act like he's been supporting them since he was a foetus. Then when he's on the other side his arrogance will certainly piss you off ...but not as much as his cynical almost evil tackles on other players.

I don't hate all Inter players. In fact I appreciate the majority of them, but this guy is pure shit. It was almost poetic justice that he started at juve who were at the time evil personified

Wtf are you talking about? Ibra didn't wanna play in Serie B for a bunch of cheating pieces of shit...did that ever cross your mind.

Zambrotta would be pure shit to you then too, I assume.

[Handoyo]

Zambrotta would be pure shit to you then too, I assume.

That's true, how can I forget that

[Alex de Large]

No, Zambrotta is no mercenary, he loves Milan, dont you see.

[lonewolf19]

and of course Milan loves him as well.
Milan would love to have Ibra too when Ibra turns 45

[Ilkinio]

Mike, i just don't like these dumb critique of Ibra. Dude, he became true leader of our team, despite his personality, despite his character. FFS, don't u remember how he let Adriano take penalty, just to give him some confidence. That's an example of true leader and try team-player.

How can Adriano and Balotelli step up if they don't play? Ridiculous statement.

This can only be blamed on Mourinho. We were deemed of being a one-man team with Mancio, which is why we brought in Mourinho to make us more of a unit.

How come is this Mourinho's bad? He can't nurse Adriano, u know.

Yep, right know we depend a lot on Ibra, but every team depends on it's big players. Pool underachieves when Torres/Gerrard are out of form. Same with Messi/Xavi and Barca.

Our problem is that, we don't have that second player. But it's not Mourinho's guilt. Nobody stepped up, so he is building team around Ibra. Logical choice, good choice. Whatever gets u W is good.

[addo]

Swedens biggest newspaper is running a webtv article on Zlatans freekickgoal..

Saying a physicsprofessor calculated that no human could have saved it.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/spo...icle3822745.ab

Maybe that "Physicsprofessor" is Ehsan? haha

[tonyloo]

Swedens biggest newspaper is running a webtv article on Zlatans freekickgoal..

Saying a physicsprofessor calculated that no human could have saved it.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/spo...icle3822745.ab

Maybe that "Physicsprofessor" is Ehsan? haha

It was, they show the actual post.

[Jimmy Page]

I wouldnt call it Swedens biggest newspaper, but its fairly big. Rather embarising that they look for news here

[Adam]

It is Swedens biggest paper, by far actually. And I wouldn't be surprised if it spreads from them to goal.com to calciomercato etc. It always does... That post will be legendary by the end of the week.

Well done, Ehsan.