Interesting post by Dewa over at Serie A about Inter’s lack of activity in the summer transfer market, especially considering what AC Milan did. This is what he wrote:

Last season treble winning team, Inter Milan, seems very confident with their current squad as they didn’t make any significant signings this summer aside from youngsters such as Phelipe Coutinho and Jonathan Biabiany.

However, despite the confident shown by the club’s director, Marco Branca, the Nerazzurri’s coach, Rafael Benitez, reportedly is disappointed with his team’s decision to be inactive in the transfer market.

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Bologna Game: Rafa Benitez Post Game Reaction

by David on August 30, 2010

Rafael Benitez spoke to Sky Italia after Inter’s goalless draw tonight with Bologna:

“The second half today was definitely better than the other day. Milito, Eto’o and Sneijder did better, and so did the goalkeeper…

“Milito was subbed because he was tired, and only for this reason. Not because he didn’t do well. In the second half we did everything we needed to do. It’s clear that we lack a bit of freshness, but I’m pleased with the team’s character and reaction in the second half.

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Disappointing 0-0 Draw With Bologna

by David on August 30, 2010

What a disappointing night. Inter returned to Serie A tonight with a 0-0 draw in Bologna. After losing to Atletico Madrid on Friday I was expecting Inter to come out and put on a good performance against Bologna. And that is what disappointed me.

Yes Inter had chances late in the second half to win the game as Bologna’s keeper Emiliano made a series of great saves, one especially from a Sniejder free-kick was brilliant.

But in the first half Bologna has several great opportunities to score themselves and Inter have to count themselves lucky that they did not go into half-time behind.

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Inter v Bologna Match Report

by David on August 30, 2010

Inter were held to a goalless draw in Bologna as they opened their defence of the Scudetto in uninspiring fashion.

Tenacious second half defending by Bologna, and some superb reflex saves from goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, meant the champions endured a frustrating evening having dominated possession throughout.

Samuel Eto’o came closest when he hit the bar from close range, but a tremendous one-handed save by Viviano from Wesley Sneijder’s 73rd minute free-kick was the story of their night.

Failure to win isn’t the end of the world for Rafael Benitez in his first Serie A game in charge, but he certainly would have expected to begin his tenure with three points.

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Rafa Benitez Post Match Remarks

by Philip Mboya on August 28, 2010

Inter coach Rafael Benitez  acknowledged that it would take time to change Mourinho’s coaching ways. The Spaniard tasted his first loss in a competitive fixture as boss of the Italian side when they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid on Friday.

“Some things we will need to do in the same way as we did before and change the way we do some other things. “It’s clear we will need some time but how long you never know. We have not had much time since the World Cup with the players. We were not at the level we needed to be against a team that was physically stronger and very good tactically.”

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Inter Lose 2-0 To Atletico Madrid In Super Cup

by Philip Mboya on August 28, 2010

After being voted the UEFA European player of the season on Thursday, a lot was expected from Diego Milito on Friday when Champions League winners Inter Milan took on Europa League winners Atletico Madrid for the Super Cup trophy.

The Argentine was the hero 3 months ago when he scored both goals in Inter’s 2-0 victory over German side Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Milito however failed to provide the form that saw Maradona add him as a last minute inclusion in his World Cup squad yesterday leaving many asking whether the Italian side will be as dominant as they were  last season.

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Inter sweeps UEFA Club Football Awards

by David on August 26, 2010

Inter Milan achieved a clean sweep of the 2010 UEFA Club Football Awards in Monaco, the first time such a feat has been achieved since the awards’ inception in 1998.

Diego Milito, who scored both goals in Inter’s 2-0 UEFA Champions League final defeat of FC Bayern Munich in Madrid in May, secured the overall prize as UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, voted for, like all these accolades, by the coaches of the teams that reached the round of 16 last season. The 12 nominees for the four positional awards were all eligible for the main honour.

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The Champions League draw was made today and Inter were drawn against Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur and FC Twente. Not the easiest group, but a group that Inter has to feel confident of topping.

Here is a look at Inter’s opponents:

Werder Bremen
Stadium: Weserstadion (42,358)

Werder Bremen qualified for the Champions League by beating Sampdoria in their play-off match. The German outfit finished third in the Bundesliga last season. Their coach Thomas Schaat spent his entire playing career with the club and coached their U-17, U-19 and Reserve teams before becoming manager in 1999.

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As expected Inter Milan will be a first seed in Thursday’s Champions League draw in Monaco. That means that we come up against Jose Mourinho in the group stages. A perfect draw, from an opponents and travel standpoint, would be Werder Bremen, Rangers and Auxurre.

Here are the seedings:

Club Route Last in Years* Last season** Best***
Pot 1
FC Internazionale Milano Holders/ Champions, Italy 2009/10 9 Winners Winners
FC Barcelona Champions, Spain 2009/10 14 Semi-finals Winners
Manchester United FC Runners-up, England 2009/10 15 Quarter-finals Winners

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Thiago Motta has knee surgery

by David on August 25, 2010

Midfielder Thiago Motta will miss the start of Inter’s season after undergoing keyhole surgery in the U.S. yesterday to fix a persistent knee problem.

Motta should recover in time for the start of the UEFA Champions League group stage on 14 and 15 September, but will miss Friday’s UEFA Super Cup game in Monaco and the Serie A game against Bologna FC on 30 August.

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