[Carson35]

SELL-OUT CROWD FOR MILAN DERBY
Friday, 25 February 2005 19:29:34
MILAN - Sunday evening's 259th Inter v AC Milan derby is a sell-out. The ticket offices at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium will remain closed on Sunday, with gates to open at 18:30 (two hours before kick-off).

inter.it

 

[Carson35]

STANKOVIC: "A SPECTACULAR DERBY"
Friday, 25 February 2005 14:39:42
APPIANO GENTILE - In the build-up to Sunday evening's Milan derby, Nerazzurri midfielder Dejan Stankovic answered questions from reporters in Friday's press conference at Angelo Moratti Sports Centre:

You have been at Inter for a year. Are you satisfied with your experience?
"Yes, absolutely. Apart the slight drop in physical form over the last month and a half, I'm very pleased. This year has been more positive than negative. I arrived in a very delicate moment, but there's a different mentality now. I'm disappointed about all the draws which have slowed our pace in the championship and stopped us from being at the top."

You just spoke about a drop in form in the past month and a half...
"We're not machines, this is normal. I have always given my best and my form has dropped a bit. I have trained hard and I've felt much better in our last few matches. I'm getting my strength back; a goal will help boost my confidence."

Milan are one of the teams you have scored most against...
"I have scored two or three goals against Milan, but it will be a very tough match on Sunday evening. I remember Rino Gattuso saying before the last derby that the fans can't wait for it to start and the players can't wait for it to end because there's so much tension on the pitch. We're motivated in the right way and it will be a great game. I didn't feel so much tension in my first Milan derby. In my life I have played three derbies: in Belgrade, Rome and this one. They are all different; they are matches you can't explain. The Milan one is a spectacle, with a full stadium and everyone that wants to win. I have never won a derby in Italy; let's hope I do on Sunday."

=============

STANKOVIC: "AN IMPORTANT, EXCITING MATCH"
Friday, 25 February 2005 14:52:29
APPIANO GENTILE - Dejan Stankovic news conference (2):

Did you see Milan's match against Manchester United?
"I only saw one half. It was a great victory. Milan played very well on a very 'hot' pitch. They gave a display of strength."

Is there the feeling that the derby is a decisive match for Inter?
"It's an important match for both teams. We could close the gap on Milan, and a defeat would see them lose pace. The more important the match, the more exciting it is to play."

How important is the absence of Shevchenko?
"I have to say that I'm sorry about what happened to him. But in Manchester on Wednesday Milan showed that his absence wasn't that important. I don't know how they will play on Sunday evening, but they didn't suffer without him the other day."

How's Adriano doing?
"I thought he did very well in Porto . He was in the thick of the action and he moved fluidly. Only a goal was missing. Perhaps he's keeping it for Sunday night..."

Will there be room for great plays in a game like the derby?
"These are things that come naturally. The tension dissolves when you're playing. You must have faith in yourself, then your qualities always come to the fore."

==============

STANKOVIC: "FOCUSED ON MILAN"
Friday, 25 February 2005 15:13:16
APPIANO GENTILE - Dejan Stankovic news conference (3):

Is Inter's problem letting in too many goals or scoring too few?
"Perhaps both. Sometimes after scoring we don't manage to finish off a match in spite of our many chances to. Then in certain moments we let in goals from long balls or crosses - goals that a team like ours should not let in."

Mancini has always said that you are a central midfielder. When will we see you in this role?
"I don't know. But at the moment the important thing is to be on the pitch. The nice and important matches will come. It is fundamental to play; I'm not interested in which position. And I'm finding my best form now."

Inter are still unbeaten...
"I would swap a few draws for a few defeats on the condition that the others all become victories. Out of sixteen draws in the championship I would have preferred to lose five matches and win eleven. I'm not interested in our unbeaten run. A lot of people talk about it, but I don't want to think about it."

What's your opinion of Milan?
"They're a very well-balanced side and they have one of the strongest defences in the Europe. In midfield they have a lot of players who move the ball around patiently then wait for the right spaces to open up. Tactically we are doing well, and I hope we will keep our concentration high for the entire ninety minutes on Sunday."

One of Adriano, Vieri and Martins could be left out...
"It's up to Mancini. All three of are them are fit. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to have one who comes off the bench - perhaps a fresher player could make the difference. ( Stankovic smiles) Luckily these choices don't depend on me. It's Mancini's responsibility."

There was a banner about Recoba outside Angelo Moratti Sports Centre...
"We have to think about Milan for the moment. We have spoken about Recoba many times. He's without question a world-class player. What happens depends on him and Mancini. It's better not to talk about these things before the derby."

Who are favourites to win? Inter or Milan?
"Inter. Why? We're one of the strongest teams around."

inter.it

 

[Carson35]

Adriano set for derby axe Friday 25 February, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inter boss Roberto Mancini is considering relegating star striker Adriano to the bench for Sunday’s derby against Milan.

The Brazilian is the club’s top scorer this term but he hasn’t added to his 14 League goals since December 12.

Mancio has kept faith with the forward despite his recent injury problems and transfer speculation linking him with Real Madrid.

But Mancio is now pondering his options ahead of the derby, a game that Inter must win to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The tactician is seriously thinking about playing with a strike pair of Obafemi Martins and Christian Vieri.

Martins has been in splendid form recently and again impressed on Wednesday in the Champions’ League.

The Nigerian scored in the 1-1 draw at the Dragao Stadium, making it almost impossible for him to be ignored at the weekend.

Vieri, meanwhile, is relatively fresh after he played just 10 minutes as a substitute in Portugal.

Martins and Vieri have linked up well in the past, which suggests that Adriano will be used as a luxury substitute on Sunday.

Inter go into the game a massive 11 points behind Milan and Juventus but Mancini continues to insist that they are still Scudetto contenders.

channel4

 

[A10]

 

[stefan9]

Benching Adriano would be extremely stupid. You don't bench your star players for big games. Adriano must start. Yeah Vieri scored the winner the last time we beat but but other than that occasions the last while he has really struggled vs nesta and maldini.

I would go for adriano-oba for this game and bobo the super sub.

 

[Razman]

Benching Adriano would be extremely stupid. You don't bench your star players for big games. Adriano must start. Yeah Vieri scored the winner the last time we beat but but other than that occasions the last while he has really struggled vs nesta and maldini.

I would go for adriano-oba for this game and bobo the super sub.

Agreed :thmbup:

Adriano has to start. This is the moment of truth for him. I'm sure he'll do fine.

 

[COOLNTALL]

Ok dude s
i agree that V I E R I HAS TO START
he is in a better form

 

[sub-d]

" :devil: "

 

[sub-d]

sups?

supporters

 

[sub-d]

>>> http://s16.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3S775V37S3SSG1IN6OPJN48UTD

:mute:

 

[18371]

Okay. Let Adriano start, but if he sucks in this game to - i dont want to see him on first team before he scores from coming of the bench. We can't wait forever. And i hope he does play for the team tomorrow, not for himself like he did on wednesday.

 

[MacoBoy]

I think Adriano should definetely start against Milan a big game he will do just fine!

 

[COOLNTALL]

i still dont agree of startin adri
its wrong
BOBO
is a BOBO
he is mad right now and he whants to play well.
BOBO AND MARTINSO they have to play adri has to be a luxury sub for tomorows game
sorry .

 

[G. Facchetti]

I agree. He was way out of form. I rather havfe him come on as a sub and use Martins-Bobo experience in the big games.

 

[A10]

Chances are Mancini might just play all 3

As usual.. A10 drifts more to the left.. and when Bobo plays... martins towards the right side.

I would be amazed.. if Mancio start with 4 strikers

 

[Vinman]

Hey Buddy....I have some suggestions for a new nickname for you:

either a) (see post above) IRAQ MINISTER OF INFORMATION or

b) KING OF WISHFUL THINKING

think the 80's song..."I'll get over you..I know I will..." :thmbup:

LOL :howler: :howler:

As much as I'd like to see Inter win this game (for obvious reasons) these guys have no chance.....

The only thing Inter can hope for is (surprise !!) A DRAW !!!!!

 

[G. Facchetti]

Hey Vinman i think the lake-effect snow has gotten to your head

 

[Firdaus]

Good news - Recoba has been called up this time!

Anyway, here are the call-ups from inter.it:

INTER V AC MILAN: 23 NERAZZURRI CALLED UP
Saturday, 26 February 2005 18:05:13
APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has called up 23 players for Sunday evening's Serie A TIM Week 26 match at home to AC Milan:

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Alberto Fontana, 15 Fabian Carini, 87 Giacomo Bindi

Defenders 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 3 Nicolas Burdisso, 4 Javier Zanetti, 11 Sinisa Mihajlovic, 13 Zé Maria , 16 Giuseppe Favalli, 23 Marco Materazzi

Midfielders: 5 Emre Belozoglu, 6 Cristiano Zanetti, 7 Andy van der Meyde, 14 Juan Sebastian Veron, 18 Cristian Kily González, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 25 Dejan Stankovic

Strikers: 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 10 Adriano, 20 Alvaro Recoba, 30 Obafemi Martins, 32 Christian Vieri

 

[COOLNTALL]

i can say that giacomo bindi will play :howler:
sorry guyz.

one of my dad s friends who almost always predicts the scores right
predicted INTER 2 BILAN 1
i told him if inter really win i m goin to spend on him 60$
and have a big party.
SO and i didnt forget about my martini :flirt:

JESUS I LOVE YOU

 

[Nerazzurri4life]

Beppe Bergomi also predicts a 2-1 win for Inter.