A Few Loose Ends
By: Johonna | April 1st, 2009
The international break is almost over and I thought I would tie up a few loose ends before we get back in the swing of things. Dont forget, this Sunday, we are back to work against Udinese (yikes!). It has been a busy week for our international players – even Mourinho has been out traveling. Oh, and Marco, Chivu, Figo, and Coroba are back in full training. We may get through this season yet!
First of all, as I am sure most of you know, Maicon was seriously injured during the Brazil – Ecuador game. It is not clear how long he will be out, but he is not even coming back to Italy for 10 days. There is some speculation that he will be out for the rest of the season. With only two months left, they may be right.
This is so not good.
Of course, that doesn’t stop other clubs from wanting him. Antonio Caliendo, Maicon’s agent said: “Yes, there is an interest from Real Madrid, but they are not the only ones because Maicon is the number one in his position.” Good think he is under contract until 2013!
Dunga better not break these two!
Our other Brazilians seem to be doing well. Adriano did not play in the game against Ecuador as he had picked a knock to his ankle in training (I wish I could find where I read that – you will all have to take my word for it). He seems to be training again so may feature in the Peru game. Lets just hope he comes home unscathed. Julio Cesar, as always, has been stunning. I think the world has finally found out about him. What ever we pay him, we really should double it.
Somehow, I dont think Ronaldinho is a very good influence on Adriano.
On a down note, Adriano has found his way back to the tabloids. The Spoiler, quoting the Brazilian paper Extra, says that upon returning to Brazil, he had a blow out, all night long party at his villa. Robinho and Ronaldinho were there… along with a bevy of WAG wannabes and a famous transvestite model. Grrreeeaaaat.
I hope all the hype doesn’t go to his head.
Balotelli and Santon got the call-up for the Italy U21 team. Everyone (read: the press) seems to be impressed with Santon. He played on the right tonight (his “natural” position) so maybe he can help pick up the slack with Maicon out (didn’t his Primavera coach say that they used to call him the white Maicon?). Balotelli picked up a knock to the head – I think he got cut – and had to be subbed out in the second half. This international break has not been good for us.
There is not much word from Argentina. They beat the snot out of Venzuela, 4-0. Zanetti played a full 90 for that game. Bolivia is next but no word on the squad yet. I know it is a great honor to play for your country and all, but after the whole Maicon thing, I can’t help but hope both Zanetti and Samuel sit this one out.
In other news, Moratti was at a Milan-based Inter club where much of the membership is comprised of police officers. He said:
“The police offers do a very valuable job in our city. They are a very respectable institution and they are respected by everyone, by me first of all. And the fact that they are Interisti makes me like them even more. (Smiles) I drive without committing any offenses… and I’m very pleased to be here among very kind, polite and nice people.”
Which is super funny (and ironic) given that Maxwell has been fined 6000 euro for driving without a license. It turns out that his Brazilian drivers license is not valid in Italy. Even worse, it was a Chrysler that he got ticketed in. I wonder if Brazilian licenses are valid in Spain…
On the coaching front, Mourinho has been in the US making sure the training facilities are up to snuff for this summer’s tour and giving interviews to ESPN:
He is in favor of FIFA’s proposed 6+5 rule and claims to want a more Italian Inter. I think it is admirable to bring youth players into the team, but I think it is also true when he says that rebuilding this way may mean a year without trophies (or “reducing winning potential“). The question then arises: is it worth it? Is building a more Italian club (whatever that means – we have players in our youth system from all over the world) worth losing for a season or two?
I will leave you all with that question to ponder over – oh, and a few Julio Cesar photos.
FORZA INTER
Contemplating his toes in the pool:
And cavorting with the enemy:
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Category: Davide Santon, Douglas Maicon, International Duty, Javier Zanetti, Team News, Walter Samuel
Tags: Adriano, Argentina, Azzurrini, Brazil, Brazilian National Team, Davide Santon, Douglas Maicon, International Duty, Italy U21, Javier Zanetti, Jose Mourniho, Kaka, Maxwell, Ronaldinho, shirtless, Team News, Walter SamuelSubscribe
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Comments
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Is having Figo back really such a good thing?
Ooh, Julio is trying to decide whether he needs a pedicure or not.
Posted from
Poland
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The key for me is making Champions League money.
As much as I find the tournament rather wasteful and a detriment to the league focus, Champions League money makes our club very important to other players to want to join.
So I think that we can use one season as we retool the team (make the 11 sales this summer, I dare ya!) to make the most of our youth system, which is huge, in order to become contenders for ten seasons down the line without having to make desperate signings like we did in the latter half of the 90s when we ignored our youth system.
But it would be foolish to think that we won’t need several signings each year, like any other big club, to stay competitive, which is why we need to retool while keeping our Champions League spot.
Posted from
United States -
Kasia, I guess my thinking is it is better to have players available than injured.
He is not terrible, after all.
Posted from
United States -
Johonna, thanks for the ESPN interview. I hadn’t seen it yet.
Posted from
United States -
I agree with everything MAD said except for the CL part , I’d take 1 CL tittle over 3 league tittles
and Johonna I too im concerned about our argentinians , samuel especiallyPosted from
United States -
bolivia 6 argentina 1 wtf??
…and Cambiasso cant get in the team LOL
Posted from
United States -
Did anyone see the whole ESPN interview, there’s been a lot of other spicy quotes from it that aren’t in that clip so not sure if they’re true.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=goal_jose_mourinho_inter&prov=goal&type=lgns
For a man who was supposed to be toast if Inter went out of the CL, he’s now talking like he’s directing the whole operation with long term plans and philosophies and such. Then he says it’s not his ideas and philosophies but everyone’s despite the fact that as he says it’s the opposite of what Inter and Moratti have done before. So is MM willing now to follow his lead “even if that means spending two or three years without trophies”! Are you all willing to accept that? and are the fans in Italy, hmm.
“We must look to youth, even if the team loses on experience but wins on other things. Especially in relation to the fans.”Or is it a defence for failure which as I recall, he’s criticised other coaches for (Unlike others I don’t hide behind kids and ask for time to win).
Posted from
United States -
Very brave open legged stance ‘just think about the traffic system in Milan, undersoil heating, Carlo Ancelotti interviews’
http://www.marca.com/albumes/2009/04/01/mourinho_encerrona/index_2.html
‘I’m not a man always on primetime like all of these other coaches who play the media game, I only talk to TV when I’m forced to. What was that, lapdancers you say? What time do you want me there?!
Posted from
United States -
Marica, you dont sound convinced. I see it as a bit of a preemptive strike. The word on the street is that Blatter is going to push through the whole 6+5, plus there is already the 4+4 thing for UEFA. I just think he sees the writing on the wall. Plus, developing youth players is much cheaper than buying super stars.
As for the 2 or 3 years without trophies… Hell, we did like 20 years! Two or three is nothing. Of course, now we all have a taste for it so it will be hard to walk away. I dont know that we have to sacrifice one for the other. I think it is possible to develop players while still winning – we just need really good youth players.
And those pictures… holy cow. Poor guy. I am sure he was just seething inside. I will have to look for video (someone must have this posted!)
Posted from
United States -
Mourinho has played Samuel almost every time he’s been available.
He’s looking for a partner for Samuel.
Posted from
United States -
All this talk about the youth policy and sacrificing trophies for 2-3 years is complete nonsense. We’ll sign a couple world class players, promote some youth, and get rid of some dead weight.
If the main obfective isnt to win the CL then Ibra, Maicon, and other key players will leave
Posted from
United States -
I am still looking for the complete video, but here are some stills of Jose on Chiambretti Night:
http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/1/grid?q=mourinho+ChiambrettiI have the first 30 minutes, but not the lap dance. As soon as I find them all, I will post them.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbphqVv2tig
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLofajRDzM
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZSGYC9w9msThey are in Italian, of course, and quite funny. Hmmm, maybe I will have to resort to cruising for Torrents.
Thank you Marica for bringing this to my attention!
Posted from
United States -
Sorry Johonna, I’ll just kick it back to what I’m used to. I nuovi ladri
Posted from
United States -
I just read a mourinho interview on channel4 that shit was hilarious I particularly liked the part where he took a dig at fat carlo
Posted from
United States -
I come in peace
I figured I’d share this with you guys.
Jose has his own tv show called Special 1 TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OX3NuNAEQQ
Posted from
United States -
johonna, my position on coaches is pick a good one (which he is) and back him to get on with it; I don’t see winning every year as compulsory, especially not the CL which is so hard, just noting Mou’s contradictory comments at times. For example why would he go on a show like that, especially as just a few weeks ago he attacked Spalletti, Ranieri et al for being media tarts (unlike him)!
Posted from
United States -
good point marica
I understand how he says things that puts the focus on him in order to take pressure off the team but it’s getting old. He should try not saying anything controversial for a week or two
Posted from
United States -
But see, that’s just it. I dont think he said anything controversial. I think that the only “controversial” thing about everything he said is that it was Mourinho saying it.
For instance, that thing about who owns what press – well, if you listen to the show (it is in the first installment above), Mou is just responding to the host. The host says something like: we are in Milan’s house – Mediaset is Milan (the show is on Mediaset which is owned by Berlusconi) And Mou says that he knows and “We have the interchannel [then something I cant catch], you all have three tv and one newspaper and all the protection.” The host then says that “Torino have nothing, nothing.” Just how is that controversial? Berlusconi does own three tv networks and a newspaper… And AC Milan. The host made the connection first.
Fact is, he didn’t say anything controversial at all. It is all hype. If someone asked Mou what kind of pet he had and he said he had a dog, the next day the headline would read “Jose Mourinho hates cats!” It is asinine.
Marica, I am sure that part of Mourinho’s contract stipulates that he will do a certain number of media appearance. I suspect he went on the show because the club told him to – much in the same way that movie stars are contractually obligated to make the talk show rounds. As for “that kind of show,” well, have you seen Italian TV much? Chiambretti Nights is pretty much par for the course. They are all “those kind of shows”. Even the game shows have dancing girls in their underwear. In fact, the only shows that weren’t like that were children’s shows and one or two news shows.
I suspect he had to do some appearances and the international break provided the necessary down time.
Posted from
United States -
johonna, I cannot believe that Jose has a contractual obligation to go on Chiambretti nights. That would be a deal breaker for me. He already does a squillion hours pre post mid over and around games. Which leaves the grim prospect he actually WANTED to go on the tacky berlusconi show (tautology I know). it’s hypocritical and demeaning anyway whichever way you look at it.
(I know my comments are nitpicky but heck, what are blogs for!)As for the so called controversial part of his character I think that’s almost the best bit (partial and self serving though it can be) I think football needs a regular kick up the backside and if you want to cause a riot just speak the truth. But as old heads trappatoni, bobby robson and others have told him it’s a tiger you’re riding and you can’t pretend to be hurt and surprised if it comes back at you with interest. And Jose will continue ignoring this advice.
Posted from
United States
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