Friday, July 25, 2008

Inter first WIN...Burdisso scored

Well it was only 1-0 against Al-Hilal, but a win is a win and it is nice to start out on high note.


First Half:Formation (4-3-3) — Julio Cesar; Santon, Burdisso, Pelé, Bolzoni (Biabiany); Vieira, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Figo, Adriano, Balotelli. (so it seems that Zanetti is moving back into midfield).

Inter's center back and Argentine international Nicolas Burdisso scored the goal in 45th minute. Al Hilal had the first chance with Salman testing Julio Cesar at five minutes. Inter answered in the 15th with cross in from Santon that unfortunately was blocked. We had a couple more drives but nothing was on target. Julio Cesar stopped a shot from Tarik, then Al Hilal’s keeper stopped an “insidiosissimo” shot from Figo. At the end of the first half, Balotelli crossed the ball from the three-quarter line, finding Nico’s head then the back of the net.

Second Half: Formation (4-3-3) — Toldo; Maicon, Mei (back from loan period at Chievo Verona), Materazzi, Maxwell; Jimenez, Dacourt, Stankovic; Mancini, Crespo, Cruz

Inter almost had a second goal when Crespo found the back of the net at the 53rd minute, but it was disallowed for offside. Maxwell tested the keeper next, but could not beat him. Maicon, Jimenez, and an “excellent combination” with Crespo and Mancini try to no avail. At the 74th minute, Toldo was tested from 20 meters by Altemyat. Then, at 92 minutes, a header from Crespo grazes the crossbar.
From what I could gather, Mancini played well, but was too long on the ball, allowing Al Hilal’s defense to shut him down. Both Toldo and Julio Cesar stopped the ball when tested - always a good thing for a keeper. Crespo was Crespo, off side and slightly off target. None the less, this is a new season and a clean slate. I will not make too much of our performance today - it was our first game with a new coach and I am glad we won. Great, now I have “We’ve Only Just Begun” from the Carpenters stuck in my head. (so many hills to climb, we start out walkin’ and learn to run….)

Upcoming Friendlies:
Sun, Jul 27 2008 - Inter v Bari Tue, Aug 5 - Bayern Munich v Inter (look out Luca Toni!)
Fri, Aug 8 - Amsterdam Tournament: Inter v Seville
Sat, Aug 9 - Amsterdam Tournament: Inter v Ajax
Fri, Aug 15 - Benfica v Inter
Which will lead to the first game of the season:
Sun, Aug 24 Italian Super Cup: Inter v Roma

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