Category Archives: Inter Milan

Jonathan: “Shame about the result”

Inter Milan

MILAN – "The chance in the first half? I
didn’t strike it well… This is a result that neither the team nor I are happy
with, but their keeper had a great game. They didn’t create anything else other
than the penalty. It’s a shame when you can’t play at home like you do away. It’s
our fault," opened Jonathan as he spoke to Inter Channel after the draw
against Cagliari.

"In my opinion Inter have to aim to win
whether they’re playing at home or away. We have to do more when we’re at home
because it’s what our fans want. We have to play our game against teams who
defend a lot. They received this penalty in their favour, then nothing else
after that.

"Today Ricky [Alvarez] played in Hernanes’
place, and I believe he had a great game. I don’t believe we changed much in
terms of quality, but we know Hernanes is one of the best players on the team
when he has the ball at his feet."

A closer look at Inter v Cagliari

Inter Milan

MILAN – Ahead of Inter’s 2013/14 Serie A Week 25 contest with Cagliari at the Stadio Meazza this afternoon (15:00 kick-off), we’ve put together a selection of facts and figures to get you into the mood for the game, courtesy of our friends at Football Data.

Inter’s 262-minute shutout on home soil
Walter Mazzarri’s men have conceded just one goal to visiting teams in their last four home games, Paloschi’s 8th-minute strike in Inter 1-1 ChievoVerona on 13 January. Since then Handanovic’s goal has not been breached in 262 minutes: 82 against Chievo then the full 90 against Catania (0-0) and Sassuolo (1-0).

Inter on longest unbeaten streak at the Meazza in a year
The Nerazzurri are currently enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run at home in competitive fixtures (won five, drawn four), their last defeat in San Siro coming at the hands of Roma (0-3 on 5 October 2013). Inter haven’t gone this long without losing on home turf since the period from September 2012 to February 2013, when they put together 11 wins and five draws for a 16-game streak without defeat.

Cagliari haven’t triumphed on the road in over a year
Cagliari’s last win in a competitive fixture away from home goes back to 17 February 2013, when they overcame Pescara 0-2 in Serie A. 17 away trips later, all in the league, they are still looking for the next one, having accumulated nine wins and eight draws.

Rossoblu firing blanks for 450 minutes away from home
The Sardinian outfit haven’t hit the net off the island in 450 minutes, since Conti grabbed a late consolation in the 90th minute of Hellas Verona 2-1 Cagliari on 3 November. They have failed to get anyone on the score sheet in the five away encounters since then: at Roma, Parma and ChievoVerona (all 0-0), Atalanta and Sampdoria (both 1-0).

Mazzarri v Lopez
This is only the second coaching match-up between Walter Mazzarri and Diego Lopez following the 1-1 draw played in Trieste earlier in the season.

Mazzarri’s strong record against former club Cagliari
Walter Mazzarri has a 50% win record in competitive fixtures against Cagliari, where he spent a short time as a player (nine appearances and one goal between July and October 1982, including his Serie A debut on 26 September 1982 in Cagliari 0-2 Inter). As a coach, he has won 12 of 24 meetings, drawing eight and losing four. Mazzarri’s last defeat against the Sardinians was on 30 November 2008, when his Sampdoria side slipped to a 0-1 Serie A loss at the Sant’Elia. Since then the current Nerazzurri manager has gone 10 games unbeaten (W5, D5).

Lopez’s second time against Inter
Diego Lopez’s only previous game against Inter during his coaching career was the 1-1 draw in Week 6, on 29 September 2013.

Inter v Cagliari starting line-ups

Inter Milan

MILAN – Here are the two starting line-ups for Inter v Cagliari, this afternoon at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (kick-off 15:00).

Inter: 1 Handanovic; 35 Rolando, 25 Samuel, 5 Juan Jesus; 2 Jonathan, 13 Guarin, 17 Kuzmanovic, 11 Alvarez, 55 Nagatomo; 8 Palacio, 22 Milito.
Subs: 12 Castellazzi, 30 Carrizo, 4 Zanetti, 6 Andreolli, 9 Icardi, 10 Kovacic, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Botta, 21 Taider, 23 Ranocchia, 33 D’Ambrosio.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.

Cagliari: 25 Avramov, 7 Cossu, 8 Avelar, 13 Astori, 15 Rossettini, 20 Ekdal, 21 Dessena, 23 Ibarbo, 27 Vecino, 32 Adryan, 51 Pinilla.
Subs: ?1 Silvestri, 9 Sau, 16 Eriksson, 18 Nen�, 22 Cabrera, 24 Perico, 34 Del Fabro.
Coach: Diego Lopez.

Referee: Russo.
Assistants: Meli & Preti.
Additional assistants: Irrati & Candussio.
Fourth official: Crispo.

Juan Jesus: “Unintentional handball”

Inter Milan

MILAN – Brazilian defender Juan Jesus spoke to Inter Channel after Inter v Cagliari. Here is what he had to say: 
"The penalty? I wasn’t moving and the ball hit me. The only way I could have moved out of the way would have been if someone had shot me [smiling]. 
"The yellow card? Ibarbo saw that I had closed down his space. And as soon as I touched him he threw himself to the ground. I never touched his face. The referee had no choice. Anyway, Ibarbo is a very good player. But thanks to God I played a good game.
"We played well in the 2nd half and kept the ball. We tried for a win in every possible way, but unfortunately it didn’t come. Now we have to earn as many points as possible."