MILAN – Inter team manager Ivan Cordoba spoke to Sky Italia in the build-up to tonight’s derby.
He said: "No one is hiding behind the mistakes. The coach has done a lot of work with the team to try and make sure they don’t happen again. We’re not afraid, I think there’s the right level of tension in the camp and that’s good because it means this game means a lot to us. You wouldn’t want to see anyone too relaxed… There’s always a lot of tension for games like this. The fans will enjoy it but the team is very focused, they’re in the right frame of mind going into the match."
Cordoba was then asked about the meeting between president Thohir and Walter Mazzarri at La Pinetina: "There’s nothing to hide, the president was very clear and open. They had a chat, spoke about private matters, but his overall message to the team was a sense of calmness and support – he’s really behind what the coach is doing. There’s nothing to hide. We’ll try to put as many points on the board as possible between now and the end of the season."
MILAN – Erick Thohir gave a few brief statements to the reporters waiting in the car park at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza ahead of tonight’s match between Inter and AC Milan.
This is what the Nerazzurri president had to say:
"As I’ve said before, it’s going to be an interesting game. It’s a derby and of course we want to win it but we can’t underestimate AC Milan. We’ve been a bit unlucky in the last few games and I hope the coach and the players provide a strong response tonight. We’ll see. Our aim is to improve on last season’s position in the league but to qualify for the Champions League we’ll need to find stability and I’ve only been here a month. But, as I said, I trust Mazzarri and the players."
MILAN – Walter Mazzarri spoke to the press after winning his first derby with Inter.
The coach began: "Yes, I celebrated when we scored but then I almost regretted it
because there was still a bit left to play – I think I
must have had a flashback to Inter v Juve… [smiling]. You can never
let your guard down in this game. We’ve thrown away too many points by letting our
concentration slip after taking the lead and it would have been a shame to
do that again today.
"The penalty on Palacio? We may as well forget about penalties completely… Everyone saw it today – it was as clear as you like. We’re still not getting any luck there.
"We did miss Alvarez. In the first half we were too tense, and they were chasing us down well too. Then in the second half we played as we know how to. We shook ourselves up in the dressing room during the break and in the end we played a great game. It looked like it was going to be another of those days when the ball just doesn’t want to go in. We couldn’t quite finish off our moves."
Asked about the transfer market, Mazzarri stressed: "I won’t talk about reinforcements, I only talk to the club about things like that and they know what I think. We have dropped a few points because of our mistakes and our ingenuity but if we think about where we started we can only be satisfied."
On Mateo Kovacic: "Today I told him that if he wants to play in central midfield or in the hole that’s fine but in any case he needs to put in the defensive work as well. He showed great maturity today. He occasionally tried to take on a man too many but he really did play very well. He did what I asked him to do. If he could play like he did today all the time, he could do some great things for this team."
Finally, there was a question about Fredy Guarin: "Have we already sold Guarin? Who to? That’s something you need to ask the club. Besides, the transfer window isn’t even open yet. We’ll take stock of things after this game. Could Lavezzi join if Guarin leaves? I don’t like playing along with these games. Guarin is improving a lot and he’s had a great season so far."
Serie A Standing AFTER the game:
Inter, 5th position with 31 points and a positive goal difference of +16
AC Milan, 10th position with 19 points and a negative goal difference of -1
It’s the awaited Milan Derby! The first derby of Inter President Eric Thohir and Barbara Berlusconi as AC Milan CEO. This is the 159th Derby della Madonnina in Serie A with stats in favor of Inter with 59 wins while AC Milan winning 49 and 50 draws. Last time AC Milan won the derby is in April 2011 (3-0). Best forward from both teams up to this game is Inter forward Rodrigo Palacio scoring 9 goals, and the first time scoring against AC Milan! Yep, Palacio scored the only goal of the game and you bet it will be among his favorites. A perfect Christmas present for President Thohir who asked Mazzarri to win this Derby della Madonnina, and he did!
It’s a chaotic period for AC Milan ending 2013 with a poor performance. Milan winning only 4 games this season and a negative goal difference of -1. Making matters worst, AC Milan went down from the 10th to the 13th position while Inter remaining in 5th position.
Knock, knock, Inter knocking at AC Milan door in the 7th minute with the attempt to score with assist by defender Yuto Nagatomo to forward Rodrigo Palacio delivering a right footed shot, but not surprising AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati who saves in the top right corner.
In the 11th minute, Milan closer to the goal. Forward Mario Balotelli giving the assist to Kaka delivering a left footed shot though Inter goalkeeper Handanovic saves in the bottom right corner.
First yellow card of the match is for AC Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio after a foul on Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin.
Milan wasting a golden opportunity in the 30th minute. Here is the thing, goalkeeper Handanovic anticipates badly after a corner, then, Bonera also anticipating, but the final touch is for Poli who did not make it from close range and the ball is off target!
What a mess! In the 40th minute there is a situation that according to replay should have been a penalty for Inter. Referee Celi does not consider a bad intervention and the game continues. In the replay, the action seeing Milan defender Christian Zapata blocking forward Palacio and bringing him down. Well, this will be a “replay” to watch again…..
On the ground Milan defender Constant after clashing with midfielder Guarin, medical attention for Constant….
Match getting too personal…. too many bad fouls. In the 44th minute a bad blocking by midfielder Sulley Muntari on Inter defender Jonathan bringing him down, …..
Two minutes added time.
Inter wasting a chance to score in the 45th minute after the assist by Saphir Taider to midfielder Esteban Cambiasso trying the headed shot but missing it to the left… so close…. closeup from Inter president Thohir watching the game.
First half ending 44% ball possession Inter and 56% ball possession AC Milan.
AC Milan starting the second half with a substitution. Allegri replacing in the 46th minute defender Kevin Constant for injury. It’s the time for Urby Emanuelson.
In the 52nd minute, Inter closer to the goal after the assist by Rodrigo Palacio to Jonathan. Goalkeeper Abbiati saving the right footed shot in the center!.
Milan reacting and looking for the goal. In the 52nd minute, Muntari passes to Balotelli who delivers a right footed shot coming from the left side, though, nothing to do as goalkeeper Handanoic saves in the top right corner. Balotelli cannot believe his luck!
Inter making a substitution in the 57th minute. Midfielder Matteo Kovacic replacing midfielder Saphir Taider.
In the 62nd minute, an assist by Mattia De Sciglio to Balotelli…. Inter goalkeeper Handanovic saving Balotelli’s right footed shot in the center!
Another substitution for Inter in the 68th minute. Midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic replacing midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.
Nothing seems to be working for Milan. In the 76th minute, Allegri attempts to add fresh energy and replaces Riccardo Saponara with forward Alessandro Matri.
Inter scoring in the 86th minute. It’s a dream come true for Inter forward Rodrigo Palacio not only scoring the winner goal, but also his first goal against AC Milan!. The assist by midfielder Fredy Guarin to Palacio defeating Milan goalkeeper Abbiati with a right footed shot in the bottom left corner.
Right after the goal, Referee Celi giving Balotelli a yellow card… it seems protesting….
Milan remaining with 10 players after Referee Celi gives a red card to midfielder Sulley Muntari in the 92nd minute. Here is INTER official starting lineup by coach Walter Mazzarri:
CURRENTLY EX-PLAYERS BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS:
AC Milan:
– Matias Silvestre (Inter for the 2012/2013 season),
– Sulley Muntari
(Inter from 2007 to January 2012),
– Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter from January
2011 to August 2012),
– Mario Balotelli (Inter Youth Team product and
first team player until 2010),
– Andrea Poli (Inter for the 2011/2012
season).
Stats. Here are the last 3 games of INTER: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lost
Disciplinary Situation. 1 suspended player for INTER: Ricardo Alvarez
1 suspended player for AC MILAN: Riccardo Montolivo
Click the video to watch the highlights of the match, INTER vs AC MILAN, Sunday 22 December 2013, Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan, Italy, Serie A Week 17
Click the video to watch the commentaries from DIRETTA STADIO by Filippo Tramontana and Tiziano Crudelli
A vivid expression of joy….. Inter forward Rodrigo Palacio celebrating and receiving the ovation of the fans after scoring against AC Milan
Italian Serie A Week 17
Inter 1 – 0 AC Milan
Sunday 22 December 2013
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Milan, Italy
By Anna Italia
What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?