NEWSCheck out the past news in the News Archives
¡@
The news are mostly taken from
¡@
29-9-2002
Cannavaro: "The coach proposed the three-man defence and we applied it well."
Nerazzurro defender Fabio Cannavaro 's post-match comments:
"The three-man defence? The coach proposed this module and we applied it well. I've played with three at the back for years and so it comes naturally to me. Apart from the first ten minutes, we managed the situation well. We're pleased, it was a good Inter. The referees? We're calm. Sometimes they make mistakes, sometimes they do well, but it's part of the game."
¡@
¡@
29-9-2002
Serie A Report: Inter Go Top After Difficult Win Over Chievo
Inter made it three out of three after successfully defeating Chievo Verona in San Siro on Sunday night. Bobo Vieri claimed both goals as Inter fought back from an early Max Marazzina header.
Vieri added to his first-half effort in the 78th minute with a sweet strike from the penalty spot after being chopped down in the area by Legrottaglie. But the Italian international striker had several earlier chances to score as the Nerazzurri dominated their opponents thanks to heroics down the right from captain Javier Zanetti and some classy touches from an in-form again Stephane Dalmat.
After wilting under the sustained pressure that led to Inter's winner, the Verona-based side did what they hadn't done for the rest of the match and pressed forward. Cuper replaced Recoba with defender Adani to neutralise the danger.
There's been no lack of dramatic moments in the final stages of Inter matches so far this season. This time, substitute Sergio Conceio was red-carded minutes afer coming onto the pitch for protesting after a challenge by Lanna.
¡@
¡@
25-9-2002
Champions League Report: Crespo Sees Inter Past Ajax.
A Hernan Crespo goal 15 minutes from time gave Inter a priceless 1-0 win over Ajax.
The visitors came close in the 15th minute when Toldo saved Sikora's close range header.
Ajax keeper Stekelenburg was forced off the field because of injury in the 21st minute, and Timmer replaced him.
Inter almost went ahead in the 26th minute but Vieri and Crespo both failed to convert Di Biagio's header to the far post.
Crespo then had another chance before the break but his 20-metre shot was inches wide of the post.
Ajax started the second-half better with Ibrahimovic looking menacing.
However, with 16 minutes remaining Inter broke through when Matias Almeyda crossed from the right and Crespo stretched to volley home.
After Crespo and Conceicao had come close, the Nerazzurri really should have made it 2-0 in injury time when Dalmat embarked on a fine run but instead of passing to the better place Vieri, he shot into the side netting.
¡@
¡@
22-9-2002
Cannavaro:"I've given the maximum availability to cuper. He can field me where he thinks.
Cannavaro spoke to journalists at the stadium after today's 2-1 win against Reggina.
"I've given the maximum availability to Cuper, who can field me where he thinks right. I don't have any problems in playing on the right and I will do it every time Cuper asks me."
¡@
¡@
22-9-2002
Cannavaro: "These are important points that also give us morale."
Fabio Cannavaro was interviewed by journalists present at the stadium in Reggio Calabria.
"It had never happened to me to suffer a penalty at the ninetieth minute and recover. It's certainly synonymous with great character. For me, there wasn't a penalty because Rastelli was cunning and the referee swallowed the bait. For the whole match we didn't suffer big problems, they became more dangerous just at the end. These are important points that give us morale. The others put on good displays? For the moment only winning counts."
¡@
¡@
22-9-2002
Serie A Report: Inter Win At Reggina Despite Late Drama
Inter Milan have left Reggina with all three points this afternoon despite late drama that saw them give away and regain their lead in stoppage time.
Hector Cuper sprung a surprise by dropping Hernan Crespo from the starting line-up despite his bright start to his Inter career, however with the forthcoming Champions League clash with Ajax in mind it is understandable.
Christian Vieri gave the title contenders the lead after just seven minutes, but the newly promoted outfit battled well and prevented Cuper's side from extending their lead.
Just minutes after coming on for Gianluca Savoldi in the 81st minute Julio Cesar Leon struck the crossbar from 25-yards out. Then in stoppage time Bortolo Mutti's side looked to have grabbed a point as Japanese superstar Shunsuke Nakamura converted a penalty after Massimo Rastelli was fouled by Fabio Cannavaro in the box.
However, just sixty seconds later Alvero Recoba broke the hearts of the home fans by restoring Inter's lead. Crespo, who had come on for Vieri, orchestrated the chance for Recoba and the Uruguayan fired past Luca Castellazzi to give Inter the points.
¡@
¡@
18-9-2002
Fabio is disqualifid for one round
The UEFA Disciplinary Commission has enforced article 19.01 of the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League regulations, disqualifying Inter's Fabio Cannavaro for one round.
The Nerazzurro defender, sent off for two bookable offences during Inter's match away to Rosenborg last night, will consequently be unable to participate in Inter's match at home to Ajax on 25 September.
¡@
¡@
18-9-2002
Cannavaro:" The first caution may have been right, but the second one wasn't."
Italian national team captain and Nerazzurro defender Fabio Cannavaro 's comments at the end of Inter's 2-2 draw away to Rosenborg:
"I adapt myself to playing in this position, but now and then I have more problems than foreseen. I always try to give my best, even though it's more difficult to play against opponents that spread a lot on the wings.
"For sure, today I was much more an attacking defender than a defensive one. I didn't succeed in showing my anticipation skills, because their [physical] condition was superior to ours. They were always first to the ball.
"The first caution may have been right, but the second one wasn't. The referee even told me in the changing room that he didn't remember he had already cautioned me. I'm sorry I left my team-mates in ten, but all things considered it went well like this."
¡@
¡@
17-9-2002
Champions League Report from Soccerage: Inter VS Rosenborg - 2-2
09/17/2002. Inter Milan scored a late equaliser, Herman Crespo's second of the game, in Norway against Rosenborg to earn a 2-2 draw, having taken a first half lead. Two second half goals from Karadas turned the game around whilst Inter had Cannavaro red carded near the end.
Herman Crespo gave Inter a vital lead at half time just after the half hour mark, his first goal for the Milanese side since his summer switch from Lazio.
The striker entered his strike into the `all my own work` category as he dribbled neatly past three defenders before finding the net past Arason.
Prior to that goal, Rosenborg looked the more likely as visiting keeper Toldo was forced into a number of decent saves. Crespo's strike changed matters though and both Vieri & Dalmat were unlucky not to increase the lead by the interval.
¡@
¡@
17-9-2002
Champions League Report from inter.it: Inter VS Rosenborg
Inter have drawn their opening UEFA Champions League match 2-2 away to Rosenborg. Hector Cuper's side went into the break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Hernan Crespo 's first official goal in an Inter shirt, but the Norwegians came back strong after the restart.
Hegge's men drew level in the 55th minute through Karadas, who diverted a corner past Toldo . Fabio Cannavaro was booked in the 65th minute for a late tackle on Skammelsrud, then a minute later the Scandinavians went further ahead. Once again Karadas was the Nerazzurri's nemesis with a header from a cross in from the left.
Things went from bad to worse for Inter when Cannavaro was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 70th minute, but the Nerazzurri rallied and with ten minutes to play Crespo netted his second with a volley from substitute Recoba 's cross.
¡@
¡@
16-9-2002
Thuram: "Cannavaro Played In Wrong Position For Inter."
(I found this in www.soccerage.com. Lilian Thuram, teammate of Fabio when both of them were in Parma, has this comment on Fabio playing on the right.)
Juventus defender Lilian Thuram believes that Inter coach Hector Cuper made an error in playing Fabio Cannavaro at right-back against Torino, instead of in the centre.
"He's a centre-back and it's impossible to keep playing him on the right," said the Frenchman.
"I always played well when I was alongside him in the middle at Parma, and when I played against him in internationals, he was like a lion in the middle.
"I can play at right-back, but he can't. Cuper will soon understand this."
¡@
¡@
15-9-2002
Cannavaro: "To play in the Champions League is a great feeling."
Fabio Cannavaro press conference 3
What problems do you anticipate having in Norway?
There will definitely be a difference in pace, they (Rosenborg)are further ahead. It will be hard, like every time you play a team from the north. But we just have to stay calm without rushing in the first half, and wait for the pace to drop slightly so our technical qualities can prevail.
What does it feel like to play in the Champions League again?
For me it's a particularly nice feeling. With Parma I did it once, while on two occasions I went out at the preliminaries. It's a nice feeling.
Did you watch Roma and AC Milan yesterday?
To tell the truth, no. But Bologna have confirmed that there's no pitch you can play on without having the maximum concentration.
¡@
¡@
15-9-2002
Cannavaro: "Vieri and Crespo have an excellent understanding."
Fabio Cannavaro press conference 2
How do you see the compatibility between Crespo and Vieri ?
Very good. They looked out for each other a lot. Besides the goals missed, they played well. They are two intelligent lads and they know how to move in order to help themselves and do well for Inter.
At the back you form a very secure line of three!
It also depends on who we face. It's easier against two centre-forwards, but when we play against two wingers we'll have more trouble. We played well and we gave a great signal, showing that we're a hard team.
¡@
¡@
15-9-2002
Cannavaro: "I'm a central player, but I liked playing more on the right."
Fabio Cannavaro press conference 1
So, after three official matches, no goals have been let in. Is the defence ok?
We're very satisfied, we didn't run into any great danger yesterday, either.
How did you find playing on the wing?
The coach asked me to play more on the right. For me it's different, it's useless to hide that, but I'm ready to play in this position, which I liked yesterday. I feel I'm a central player, but I'm a professional available to the team.
There have already been comparisons to Beckham...
In the last twenty minutes I couldn't take it any more, it isn't easy to go back and forth on the wings for fifteen times. I'm neither Beckham nor Cafu. But the slower pace of the second half helped me.
Unlike Thuram, you haven't had any problems playing in a position that's different from your usual one...
Thuram left Parma to play in a central position. I'm here to help the team where needed and I behave as a professional by playing where the coach wants me to play.
¡@
¡@
14-9-2002
Cannavaro: "I enjoyed myself. We showed that we're a compact side."
Here's what Nerazzurro defender Fabio Cannavaro said to the media after his Serie A debut for Inter:
"We did well and we won. I enjoyed myself, football is fun, even though at the end I couldn't take any more. We've shown that we're a compact and strong side to face. The important thing is to create chances, then things can go well or less well."
¡@
13-9-2002
Serie A Preview: Inter-Torino
Inter have suffered more than most in the long wait for Serie A to start, but finally they get the chance to release a summer's worth of frustration on Torino at the San Siro.
That crippling last day defeat to Lazio will still be fresh in the memory of most Inter fans, and it's fair to say that no other side will be more motivated that the Nerazzurri to right last season's wrongs.
Inter look strong all over, although there must be question marks over the midfield. The likes of Luigi Di Biagio, Matias Almeyda and Cristiano Zanetti are all good destroyers, but not the type of players capable of turning a game with a moment of genius. Stephane Dalmat is, and it is vital that Cuper plays him more often than not. He showed last season just what he was capable of and is likely to deliver on a more regular basis than the inconsistent Alvaro Recoba.
Cuper hopes that in signing Fabio Cannavaro and Hernan Crespo, he has completed the last pieces in the jigsaw. Both are proven internationals and should flourish in their new surroundings.
Torino fans can only look on in envy at their more illustrious opponents, but the side from the Delle Alpi have realistic hopes of finishing in mid-table once again.
The worry for coach Giancarlo Camolese is that the Grenata have only captured three players over the summer. Alessandro Conticchio and Federico Magallanes have joined from Lecce and Venezia respectively, while Vincenzo Sommese has returned from a loan spell at Piacenza. Otherwise Camolese must work with what he had last season.
Not that the players he had weren't adequate enough. Torino finished eleventh last season and lost just one of their last nine games to qualify foir the Intertoto Cup. Unfortunately they were eliminated at the hands of Villarreal on penalties so the only way to see European football at the Delle Alpi this season will be to watch old foes Juventus.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Inter- coach Cuper looks set to go with the 4-4-2 system as opposed to the 3-4-1-2. Ivan Cordoba is set to play out of position at left-back. Cristiano Zanetti is out so Almeyda and Di Biagio will occupy the central-midfield roles. Crespo will make his debut in attack alongside Vieri. Cuper must do without the injured Guly, Mohamed Kallon, Nicola Ventola and Francisco Farinos.
4-4-2: Toldo, Cordoba, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Coco, J.Zanetti, Di Biagio, Almeyda, Recoba, Vieri, Crespo
Torino- Camolese will give a debut to Magellanes and Conticchio, and his only absentees are Osmanovski and Sommese.
3-5-2: Bucci, Delli Carri, Fattori, Galante, Comotto, Conticchio, Scarchilli, Vergassola, Castellini, Ferrante, Magallanes
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hernan Crespo (Inter)- some have suggested that the Argentine's partnership with Christian Vieri may not work. If this proves the case, it's an expensive mistake on the part of Cuper, but the former Valencia boss doesn't make many errors in the transfer market and it's highly unlikely this will be one either.
Alessandro Conticchio (Torino)- signed from Lecce to improve a midfield that was certainly the side's weak point last season. A complete player with good ball-winning and technical qualities.
¡@
¡@
13-9-2002
¡@
Serie A Prediction:
Inter-Torino
No team will be more motivated than Inter after they came so close to winning the Scudetto last season. Coach Hector Cuper has reinforced his squad well over the summer and his Nerazzurri team should be far too good for a Torino side who have signed just two new players over the summer. Inter 3 Torino 0.
SA Italy
¡@
¡@
12-9-2002
Cannavaro: "Who wins doesn't let in goals. This is why I was bought."
For Inter defender and Italian national team captain Fabio Cannavaro, there are no problems if the Nerazzurri play with either a three- or four-man defence.
"The important thing is to be ready for both circumstances. Then the coach will decide," said Cannavaro to Inter Channel.
"The last few years have shown that who wins doesn't let in goals. This is why I was bought and this is what I will try to do."
He added, "There are players with experience and a great desire to win. It's necessary to aim high."
¡@
¡@
8-9-2002
Cannavaro And Vieri at Pinetina Tomorrow - NO Serious Fitness Problems
(As I know Fabio hurt his back in the second half. But he played till the end of the game. Tough man. :) Fans, dont worry. It's just slight injury. :))
On their return from Baku, Azerbaijan, Nerazzurri Fabio Cannavaro and Christian Vieri , who picked up slight injuries in Italy's Euro 2004 qualifier last night, have decided together with Prof. Franco Combi to delay any fitness evaluations until tomorrow at Pinetina.
Both players seemed very calm, as did Italian national team medical staff head Dott. Ferretti, who personally reassured Combi about the health of the two
Nerazzurri.
¡@
¡@
7-9-2002
Cannavaro And Crespo Drive Inter.it to New Record
August turned out to be yet another record month for inter.it. Inter's official web site established a new record last month for both the number of visitors to the site and page views, smashing all previous records.
According to the data from our server 18,735,397 pages were generated, for a total of 1,148,778 unique IP addresses served.
(How popular Fabio and Crespo are!!! The strongest C-C bond ever. LOL.)
¡@
¡@
7-9-2002
Euro 2004 Qualifier Report: Italy Win In Azerbaijan
Italy collected their first three points in the Euro 2004 qualifying Group 9, thanks to a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in Baku.
It wasn't such an easy match for Trapattoni's men, who looked quite slow and out of shape for most of the 90 minutes. Their first real chance of the match came after 28 minutes, when Inzaghi hit the post with a fine header.
Seven minutes later, the Azzurri took the lead thanks to an own-goal by defender Ahmadov, who deflected inside his net a cross by Tommasi.
In the second half Italy controlled the match without big worries, scoring the second goal after 20 minutes with a superb free kick by Alex Del
Piero.
¡@
¡@
6-9-2002
Euro 2004 Qualifier Preview: Azerbaijan-Italy
Talking about Azerbaijan-Italy as a do or die clash might seem laughable, but this is exactly what this match represents for Giovanni Trapattoni. Neither the disastrous World Cup campaign nor the home defeat against Slovenia in last August's friendly persuaded the veteran trainer to resign, as most of the Italian press and fans asked, but this time Trap will have no excuses.
The Azzurri are expected to conquer the three points and possibly to play a convincing match, especially on the offensive side. If something different will happen, the pressure on Trapattoni would likely become unbearable, and the former Bayern Munich trainer knows it very well.
Azerbaijan are not expected to be a big obstacle for the guests. These teams will face each other for the first time in their history. Italy have never lost against a former Soviet Union team: 14 wins and 4 draws. The latest outings of the home team were a win over Uzbekistan and a defeat in Malta, while the last reliable opponent they have faced was Sweden in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, and that match ended with a clear 0-3 defeat.
TEAM NEWS
Euro 2004 Qualifier Preview: Azerbaijan-Italy
Azerbaijan:
The hosts are expected to play with a very cautious lineup, most likely a 4-5-1, with Gurban Gourbanov as the lone man upfront.
Italy
As he promised after the World Cup, Giovanni Trapattoni will never field again a starting lineup without an offensive midfielder. Against Azerbaijan, this task will be given to Alex Del Piero, who will play a step behind Vieri and Inzaghi. With Zambrotta still injured, the position of right winger will be covered by Gattuso.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
AZERBAIJAN: (4-5-1): Kramarenko; K. Guiliyev, Karimov, Ahmedov, E. Agayev; Imamaliyev, M. Gurbanov, Sadygov, E. Guiliyev, S. Aliyev; G. Gourbanov
ITALY (3-4-1-2): Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro; Gattuso, Di Biagio, Tommasi, Coco; Del Piero; Vieri; Inzaghi
¡@
¡@
3-9-2002
Cannavaro: "Physically, Crespo can guarantee more than Ronaldo."
From the Italian national team's training base in Coverciano, Tuscany, Inter's new signing Fabio Cannavaro stated that neo-Nerazzurro Hernan Crespo is better than Ronaldo. The Italian international defender said: "Physically, he
(Crespo) can guarantee more than Ronaldo. He's healthy, and for Inter he could play even forty matches, a number of games that I'm not sure Ronaldo could assure.".
¡@
2-9-2002
Vieri: "Inter have bought a great striker in Cresop and can count on Cannavaro in defence."
(Here's a interview of Christian Vieri. He's mentioned about Fabio :))
Nerazzurro centre-forward Christian Vieri summed up Inter's movements on the transfer market this summer, saying:
"I'm sorry that Ronaldo has gone, but despite our efforts to convince him, he wanted to go. But Inter have bought a great striker in Crespo and can count on one of the best defenders in the world in my friend Fabio Cannavaro ..."
¡@
¡@
2-9-2002
Cannavaro: "A chameleon-like Inter."
Italian national team captain Fabio Cannavaro commented on his first Milan derby as an Inter player.
"We tried a three-man defence and we got on well. It's certainly an extra weapon for coach Cuper and for the team," said the defender.
"We can say that we have a chameleon-like Inter that is capable of changing lots of things. It will certainly be an important season, also thanks to the arrival of Hernan Crespo . I know him well, we lost sight of each other for two years, but now we wear the same shirt.
"Nesta? He's a great champion, but he wears the shirt of our cousins (AC Milan)... This will make derbies more stimulating."
¡@
¡@
1-9-2002
¡@
AC Milan Beat Inter in 'Linate Memorial' Derby
(Milan Friendly Derby Match Report from www.soccerage.com. Fabio Cannavaro played the 2nd half of the match.)
¡@
AC Milan and Inter played a derby match today in memory of the victims of the Linate tragedy that occured on 8th October last year.
Milan thoroughly dominated the game and the final scoreline of 1-0 was rather flattering for Cuper's team to say the least.
The winner was scored by Dane Jon Dahl Tomasson in the 68th minute, a header past young Frenchman Moreau who had only seconds before come in to replace Francesco Toldo.
Milan dominated most of the game with Rivaldo and Ambrosini both hitting the post on separate occassions.
New signings Hernan Crespo (Inter) and Alessandro Nesta (Milan) were in the stands to support their new teams.
Match Facts:
MILAN 1-0 INTER (0-0)
Scorer: 23' sh Tomasson
MILAN (4-4-2): Dida (1' sh Fiori); Contra (34' sh Aubameyang), Laursen (1' sh Kaladze), Maldini (23' sh Costacurta), Helveg (23' sh Simic); Dalla Bona (1' sh Ba), Brocchi (1' sh Pirlo), Ambrosini (34' sh Gattuso), Serginho (1' sh Seedorf); Boriello (1' sh Tomasson), Rivaldo (23' sh Rui Costa). Coach: Ancelotti.
INTER (4-4-2): Toldo (23' sh Moreau); Vivas (1' sh Beati), Adani (1' sh Cordoba), Sorondo (1' sh
Cannavaro), Pasquale (1' sh Materazzi); Conceio (1' sh J. Zanetti), Almeyda (31' sh Guly), Dalmat (1' sh Di Biagio), Guly (1' sh Coco); Vieri (29' sh Recoba), Recoba (1' sh Morfeo). Coach: Cuper.
Referee: Bolognino
Booked: Vivas 31' fh
Attendance: 43,500
¡@
¡@
(Milan Friendly Derby Match Report from www.inter.it. Fabio Cannavaro played the 2nd half of the match.)
¡@
Tonight's Milan derby between Inter and AC Milan in remembrance of the 118 victims of last October's Linate airport disaster finished 1-0 in favour of the Rossoneri.
After a rendition of "Silenzio" to commemorate the disaster victims, new signings Crespo and Nesta saluted their respective sets of fans before referee Bolognino got the proceedings under way.
The Nerazzurri were put under pressure by their cross-city rivals in the first half, Serginho creating numerous difficulties for Inter down the left wing. Dalla Bona and Rivaldo both hit the crossbar and Francesco Toldo made a couple of providential saves to keep the score at 0-0 after forty-five minutes.
Hector Cuper made eight changes to his starting eleven at the start of the second half, J.Zanetti , Materazzi ,
Cannavaro , Cordoba , Coco , Beati , Di Biagio and Morfeo joining Toldo , Almeyda and Vieri on the pitch. Inter immediately showed more aggression and determination, and on 60 minutes went close to the opening goal when Vieri tested Fiori with a close-range effort.
Young Nerazzurro custodian Moreau came on for Toldo in the 67th minute, and AC Milan took the lead a minute later when Seedorf's left-centre cross was headed home by Tomasson from inside the six-yard box.
Di Biagio had a good chance to equalise for Inter in the 73rd minute, his 25-yard effort finishing inches wide.
Recoba and Guglielminpietro came on for the last fifteen minutes, replacing Vieri and Almeyda . The Uruguayan international almost brought the two sides level in the 77th minute with a trademark long-range drive that finished just off-target.
¡@
¡@
1-9-2002
Crespo: "...a lot of friends like Cannavaro and Serena..."
(Here's a interview of Crespo to the Inter Channel. In the interview he mentions about Fabio. :))
What about playing up front with Vieri ?
I can't wait to try. It's fantastic to have the possibility to play with Vieri .
There are a lot of Argentines in the Inter squad...
Yes, but also a lot of friends like Cannavaro and Serena . And then there are a lot of companions from the Argentine national team. I'm sure they will be very helpful for me to settle in quickly.
Will you contest a South American derby in Milan?
Yes, there are a lot of Argentines at Inter and a lot of Brazilians at AC Milan, but what interests me is just to do well for Inter.
Will wearing the number nine shirt be a burden?
They've told me it weighs like lead... I'm joking. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but I don't want to make comparisons. I will just try to be Crespo in this situation.
¡@
¡@