INTER TO RAISE THE WALL
Samuel to return against Juventus. He is the key man for the Champions League.
Out since January 6, the defender brings points, transforms his teammates and frightens the opponents.
With him, Stramaccioni wants to change the page.
Milan – Although his numbers are impressive, the insights of a player like Walter Samuel cannot be measured with statistics. Il Muro (The Wall) is the man who can change Inter and give the much needed sparks and charges for that Champions League spot. Now that he is returning to the field, Andrea Stramaccioni and all of his teammates cannot get better news. Because the Argentinian, turned 35 years old yesterday, affects the performances of the teammates in his department and allows the coach to choose between the defensive line of three of four.
San Siro doubt The injury of Samuel made less noise than that of Milito but that does not mean it was less devastating. He did not steal our eyes like the tears of Diego Milito on the stretcher against Cluj, because in Udine on January 6, he ended the match on his own. Since that day, we have not seen the player on the field, stopped by inflammation of the tendon that probably caused by ankle and knee injures, the injuries of the past. Without neglecting the possible effect of the San Siro because since last August, we’ve had the hybrid of synthetic and real grass that knocked out Mudingayi, Stanovic but also Milanista De Jong.
Effect Samuel, however, at the start of 2013 was forced to stop, limited to just therapy sessions before the actual athletic work to regain fitness gradually. Since March 6, the Argentinian was back in full swing and the training match last Friday saw improvements. He has not experienced problems when he runs, tackles, jumps and even intimation. Yes, intimation is one of the secrets of the Firmat born player. Samuel always tends to make hard fouls early on in the match to fear the opponents. On the other than, his return also effects the performance of his teammates. It is no coincidence that since his stop, Juan Jesus has dropped in performance and Andrea Ranocchia, leader of the defense during Samuel’s recovery, has not been as flawless as before. Let’s not forget the alternatives that Stramaccioni would have with him. The Inter coach is much more comfortable with Walter Samuel in the defense of three, the ingredient of the ten consecutive wins in the first part of the season.
Points per game with (blue) and without (black) Samuel.
What statistics For the rest, the numbers speak for themselves. Since The Wall landed in Milan in 2005, Inter have always scored more points and allowed less goals with him on the field in league plays. Incredible figures especially for this season and the one post treble. In the 10 matches with him leading the defense in 2010-2011, Inter held an average of 2.2 points and just 0.6 goals allowed a match. Without, 1.9 points and 1.3 goals allowed. In the 13 matches that he played this season, the Nerazzurri ranked two points and one goal per match. The 15 without him, 1.4 points and 1.6 goals allowed.
Juve and tactical weapon On November 3 of last year, Samuel was the emblem of Inter, after allowing an offside goal, he gave Juventus very little or nothing. Getting him back against the Bianconeri would give an incredible spark for the whole group. Strama wants him alongside Ranocchia, knowing that four days later against Sampdoria, Juan Jesus will be back after the suspension. Because now it is clear that The Wall, at 35 years old and with thousands of battles behind him, can only play one game per week. And this too, will weigh on the choices after the season. With Ranocchia, Juan, the new signings Campagnaro and Andreolli (and let’s not forget Chivu), will the silent leader accept to be an extra weapon in key matches (among other things, with him, Inter have won all the derbies) or will he prefer to stop? Leaving a void difficult to fill.
10 years of FIF
okerface::trolldad:
