Inter - Valencia (21 Feb 07)

[Rimpel]

I'm starting to get more and more into this Champions League system. Usually always prioritise the Scudetto, but since that seem more or less wrapped up, I want us to succeed in the Champions League too. It's pretty obvious that we won't receive any credit for our Scudetto, so if we can go real far in the CL, we can prove everyone wrong.

Losing Vieira for this game was horrendous. I just hope that Mancini aren't toying with the idea of replacing him with Figo. Would be a gigantic mistake. Figo is thesedays a bench player for the big games. He was even outmarked by Biondini against Cagliari for freak sake. Dacourt is the way to go.

Have a feeling that Mancini will chicken out in this match and lose the plot. First step would be to play Burdisso as a left-back. That would immediately put ourselves in a position where we won't play our game, but just try and destroy their game-plan. And it will backfire. Players like Miguel need to stay at his side of the pitch, and you can only do that by playing possessional football and have attacking full-backs. It's time for Mancini to prove that he is as good as he has shown this year. Time for the big match.

Their biggest threat is of course Villa. However, after seeing Sweden-Spain a half a year ago, I know that we he can get outmarked by any player. We put Petter Hansson on him, whom uptil that point was a mediocre defender. He even started his career at a local club in my area.
So Burdisso (!!!) can definitely take him out of the game if he stays focused.

yeah, I remember that. Hansson totally owned him!

 

[uny_arturo]

Two formations to choose:

---------------Adriano----------Ibrahimovic------------
-----------------------Stankovic----------------------
-----Cambiasso---------Dacourt-------Zanetti----------
--Maxwell-----Materazzi-------Burdisso----------Maicon--
-------------------------J.Cesar------------------------
Since we have 3 typical DM to cover already, Burdisso, who plays with great positiong instead of pace, will be used. And so do 2 attacking full-back, Maxwell and Maicon.

or

---------------Adriano----------Ibrahimovic------------
------------------------Figo---------------------------
-------Zanetti----------Cambiasso------Stankovic------
--Burdisso-----Materazzi--------Cordoba-------Maicon--
----------------------J.Cesar-------------------------
But if Deki plays a deeper position, Mancio may give up the left flank and place Burdisso there to secure the defence.

Anyway, have faith on Maicon's runs!

 

[uny_arturo]

We are more likely to see formation 2 tonight for a couple of reasons:

1. It's a home match tonight. We may operate more offensively. i.e. An offensive Figo and a semi-offensive Deki.
2. Mancio implied there will be a change in Nico's position in the press conference.
3. Mancio didn't expect Vieira's absence in tonight's game. Therefore, he didn't substitute Oli out earlier in the Cagliari's game and eventually Oli looked quite tired.

P.S. Comments welcome. Please correct my language as well. :wallbang:

 

[bjwam4]

Maicon is a must in this game. If i see Burdisso playing as RB I'm gonna be an unhappy camper. I also think Maxwell should get a nod with with Materazzi and Burdisso in the center.

 

[Knightz]

It's game day gentlemen. Take no prisoners, go for the throat ASAP. If this game is a 0-0 game going into the second half, we have things to worry about.

 

[ristoman]

What makes you think that?

There was an article in Gazzetta yesterday listing probable formations. It did throw me off a bit that Adri was benched... Wasn't he benched against Cagliari specifically because of this match?

uefa.com shows Adri-Ibra upfront... calciomercato.com does too... Ok, maybe it was a typo. I'm looking for the article but they got rid of it I think...

nevermind....

EDIT: I also read about Burdisso being played on the left side. Very weird cause he's Center/Right Back...

Calciomercato.com has this up...

Inter (4-3-1-2): 12 Julio Cesar, 16 Burdisso, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 13 Maicon, 4 Zanetti, 15 Dacourt, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 8 Ibrahimovic, 10 Adriano. (1 Toldo, 11 Grosso, 25 Samuel, 7 Figo, 21 Solari, 18 Crespo, 9 Cruz).
All.: Mancini.

Valencia (4-4-2): 1 Canizares, 2 Miguel, 20 Albiol, 4 Ayala, 24 Moretti, 10 Angulo, 5 Marchena, 6 Albelda, 21 Silva, 7 Villa, 9 Morientes. (25 Butelle, 23 Curro Torres, 17 Navarro, 15 Joaquin, 16 Hugo Viana, 18 Lopez, 31 Pallardo).
All.: Quique Sanchez Flores.

Arbitro: Martin Hansson (Sve)

 

[uny_arturo]

I seriously wonder if we have to fear Miguel+Angulo so much and put Nico as a LB :undecide:

 

[ahkin4ever]

Two formations to choose:

---------------Adriano----------Ibrahimovic------------
-----------------------Stankovic----------------------
-----Cambiasso---------Dacourt-------Zanetti----------
--Maxwell-----Materazzi-------Burdisso----------Maicon--
-------------------------J.Cesar------------------------
Since we have 3 typical DM to cover already, Burdisso, who plays with great positiong instead of pace, will be used. And so do 2 attacking full-back, Maxwell and Maicon.

or

---------------Adriano----------Ibrahimovic------------
------------------------Figo---------------------------
-------Zanetti----------Cambiasso------Stankovic------
--Burdisso-----Materazzi--------Cordoba-------Maicon--
----------------------J.Cesar-------------------------
But if Deki plays a deeper position, Mancio may give up the left flank and place Burdisso there to secure the defence.

Anyway, have faith on Maicon's runs!

If you choose formation 2,
I think Maxwell still can play as a LB, right?

 

[KaiokenFlash]

I seriously beleive Stankovic will be the decidine factor in this match,
he is SO HARD to mark, and with his crazy stamina and amazing versitlility I can see him unlocking the Valencia defence.

We need him in the attacking position....Bench figo for now!

However, on the flipside....we all know Valencia is poor in the air. Figo's crosses and deadball striking may be FUNDEMENTAL! oooh, so hard to call it.

Either way, we should trust Mancini's decision and hope we can do what the world expects of us....KICK SOME ASS!! after all, this is our home game!

FORZA INTER!!!!!!

 

[1919]

More than getting Stan to come in a defensive midfield i think getting Dacourt as a direct sub for Viera is better.

Alternately, i wont mind seeing Solari on the left side of midfield ... but there is no way i want to tinker with Stan's position on the pitch.

 

[ristoman]

I see Deki crushing it like he did against AC Milan in the upper left, Canizares' upper right. I'm so mad I'm at work. I want to hear Scarpini's commentary!

 

[HomerDK]

Hello all.
Lets have a comfortable win today with no scores against us
3-0 should do it.
But let's not be carried away just because we are in a good win stream.

Bye Bye

 

[Alex de Large]

With a 2-0 i'am happy, if they score a goal i'am going to cry like a little girl, and if we draw or lose.... i don't want to imagine it....

 

[Rimpel]

What's this I hear about Mancini thinking defensively for this game:wallbang: We have to attack, we're the home team. Yes, there is one more match left after this game, but THAT's when defense should be the first priority.

 

[Pi]

What's this I hear about Mancini thinking defensively for this game:wallbang: We have to attack, we're the home team. Yes, there is one more match left after this game, but THAT's when defense should be the first priority.

I disagree with you, I think the most important thing when you are the home team is not to take in any goal. I know that at home, people expect a team to attack, but you must remember that if we take a goal then we are forced to attack at their home.

It is essential for us not to take any goal, however I think that we should do many changes in our formation, we have our best 11 that won us a lot of games, I think that we don't need to change it.

FORZA INTER!!!

 

[Rimpel]

I disagree with you, I think the most important thing when you are the home team is not to take in any goal. I know that at home, people expect a team to attack, but you must remember that if we take a goal then we are forced to attack at their home.

It is essential for us not to take any goal, however I think that we should do many changes in our formation, we have our best 11 that won us a lot of games, I think that we don't need to change it.

FORZA INTER!!!

ah, yes you are right on that my friend. Yes, we mustn't concede at home but we still need to score goals, otherwise it will be difficult in the next game.

 

[Sassuolu]

I heard Vieira was out for this match is it true?

 

[Rimpel]

I heard Vieira was out for this match is it true?

yep, gonna miss paddy

 

[Pi]

ah, yes you are right on that my friend. Yes, we mustn't concede at home but we still need to score goals, otherwise it will be difficult in the next game.

I agree that we need to score, because that would force Valencia to play a more open game in the return leg however the priority, for me, is to not concede because 0-0 is way better than 1-1, so if we don't concede I will think it is a reasonable result if on top of that we score then it will be great result.

This is the problem of playing the first leg at home, you are under more pressure than your opponent.

 

[Sassuolu]

The worse result possible in this match would be 2-1 I hope we wont concede any goals our defense will have to be flawless!!!