Tomorrow, Inter will play against Sevilla and then a day later against Ajax in Amsterdam Cup.

After these games Inter will play just one more match and that is against Benfica 15.08. After that starts real matches, first against AS Roma in the Super Cup.

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07 Aug 2008 - dera

Inter began their week-long tour of Europe with a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in Tuesday evening's Franz Beckenbauer Cup / Pirelli Trophy clash at the Allianz Arena.

Amantino Mancini secured the Nerazzurri two pieces of pre-season silverware with a well taken effort just after half-time, while Francesco Toldo gave a virtuoso performance between the posts to keep the German champions at bay.

Both teams carved out chances in a low-key first half, with Brazilian duo Adriano and Mancini forcing Rensing into saves, Lahm testing Toldo from distance and Altintop sending wide a low diagonal drive.

Mourinho's men looked hungrier after the break and it took them just seven minutes to break the deadlock, Mancini lifting the ball over Rensing and in off the bar and far post after meeting Luis Figo's inch-perfect through pass.

Bayern battled hard for a leveller but Toldo produced a magnificent one-handed parry from Kroos' low shot. The veteran keeper then rose at his back post to deny van Buyten an almost certain goal with a tipped clearance from a free kick, and made another brilliant reflex save from Kroos with time running out.

Substitute Mario Balotelli narrowly missed with a curling free kick as Inter had a chance to increase their lead in added time. (OIS)


TV

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06 Aug 2008 - dera

José Mourinho has named a 31-player squad for the Nerazzurri's pre-season tour of Europe.

Inter face Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Cup /12th Pirelli Trophy on Tuesday and then fly to Holland for two days of training sessions and the LG Amsterdam tournament games against Seville (8 August) and Ajax (9 August).

The Portuguese coach has called up all his players except Patrick Vieira, who will undergo a week of individual sessions after injuring his left thigh.

Mourinho's squad for Europe tour:

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 4 Javier Zanetti, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 23 Marco Materazzi, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel*; 26 Cristian Chivu, 37 Andrea Mei, 38 Luca Caldirola, 39 Davide Santon.

Midfielders: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 20 Muntari, 30 Pelé, 33 Amantino Mancini, 36 Francesco Bolzoni, 40 Alberto Gerbo.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 10 Adriano, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo, 45 Mario Balotelli.

* Walter Samuel will join the squad at their hotel in Munich.

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04 Aug 2008 - dera

Yesterday we performed an exclusive interview with Issah Eliakwu, the player whose part of contract belongs to Inter!

After that we hardly somehow make him to do an interview for us, the young 22-annual attacker from Nigeria has finally agreed.

Eliakwu was promising a lot in time of Martins, but because of the large number of strikers in our team, had to look for happiness on loans.


Tell us for the beginning How long are you playing professional football and in which you have all the clubs played to date?
"Professionally, since 2003. But before that, I played for the youth team of Inter. Where am I all played, I was find by Inter scouts when I was a child and then I moved to Italy together with my family where I played for the youth team. 2003. I debut for the first team of Inter, a season later, I was sent on loan to Ascoli from us all good reasons well known and that is excessive racial attackers in the first team. After that I was in Triestina which buyes one half of my contract, in which I spent two seasons and last season I played for Spezia. This season, after negoations between the two owners of my contract was decided that I play again for Triestina. "

When did you start playing football?
"I started playing football at the age of 8 in Nigeria."

Who is your idol?
"My idols are Ronaldo,Eto.. I also like a player but he is ot famous and his name is Robert Ugbomeh Collins, he plays in a lower division in Italy and I really love the way he plays. He was on trial with Inter for some time too. He is a fantastic player."

You are big talent on football manager games, what do you think about that?
"I am happy my work is appreciated somewhere."

What do you think your future will bring?
"I cant say anything about my future, I let God lead me."

What do you think, what will the success of the new Inter's coach, Jose Mourinho, to achieve this season?
"I know Morinho as a very good coach so lets wait and see how he will adapt to italian football."

Who is the best player for you at Inter FC?
"Inter is a tam full of stars so for me all the players are good but Adriano is exeptional."

What player does Inter need from your opinion?
"Robert Ugbomeh Collins."

Does Inter need Mancini and Muntari, and what do you think about Quaresma - next target?
"The clubs knows better if they need this players. Inter will surly do wellto without this players."

What can you tell us about you that we didnt ask or know?
"That I'm an easy going person."

Your approach market value is 1.150.000 €, are you happy or want to improve more?
"The aim of every player is to improve so my aim is to improve."

Would you like that Inter sell some older strikers and give a chance to younger players like you?
"I will only continue doing well anywhere I play, so if Inter wants me, good but if not I wll carry on."

For the end, your word for interfanclub.com fans is?
"Hello Inter Fans, I love you all but unfortunatly I didn't had the oportunity to bring that joy to you but nobody knows."

Video clip

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03 Aug 2008 - dera

IFC has launched a new project to an Internet petition for Ricardo Quaresma buying from Porto.

Link

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02 Aug 2008 - dera

From everyone at Inter, many happy returns to Amantino Mancini. The Brazilian footballer, born in Belo Horizonte, on 1st August 1980, celebrates his 28th birthday today.

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01 Aug 2008 - dera

Inter are ready to start their defender search after Marco Materazzi’s injury and the new name on the short-list is Matei Radoi.

Nerazzurri boss Jose Mourinho admitted after Tuesday evening’s Trofeo TIM that he was worried about his lack of options at the back.

Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu and Ivan Cordoba are all currently sidelined and the loss of Materazzi for nearly a month with a thigh strain is a big blow.

After a crisis meeting between President Massimo Moratti and technical director Marco Branca yesterday, Inter are set to return to the market to find a new recruit.

The ideal solution for Moratti is a free transfer swoop for former Roma defender Matteo Ferrari, who would be an able and cheap option.

But another possibility is Romanian international Radoi. The experienced 27-year-old currently plies his trade for Steaua Bucharest and would be likely to accept a move on a loan basis.

Mourinho’s assistant Andre Villas Boas was spotted watching Radoi playing for Steaua in a friendly against Roma last week.

More ambitious suggestions for the job include Feyenoord stopper Ron Vlaar and Greek Under-21 international Sokratis Papastathopoulos, but either would require a greater financial investment.

Meanwhile, Inter have signed a star of the future in 15-year-old left-back Mattia Desole, who arrives from Swiss side Grasshoppers. (Channel4)

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31 Jul 2008 - dera

Tim Trophy, Juventus wins the game against Inter. Materazzi comes out the field injured.

AC Milan beat Inter on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the third and last of this evening's three 45-minute Tim Trophy matches.

AC Milan who also beat Juventus on penalties after drawing 2-2, win the 2008 TIM Trophy cup edition.

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30 Jul 2008 - dera

Inter have completed the signing of Sulley Ali Muntari from Portsmouth.

Sulley Ali Muntari (born August 27, 1984 in Konongo, Ghana) has put pen to paper on a four-year contract which will run until 30 June 2012. The player has been presented today by José Mourinho and Gabriele Oriali at the sporting centre "Angelo Moratti" in Appiano Gentile.

Pictures

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28 Jul 2008 - dera

Adriano and Julio Cruz found the net as Inter beat Bari in a 2-0 victory, but Il Jardinero suffered an injury.

Jose Mourinho experimented a new trident attack with Luis Figo supporting Cruz and Mario Balotelli in the Sud Tirol Cup.

The teenager’s free kick found Cruz to nod in from close range after 27 minutes and give Inter the lead.

However, he went off soon after with a suspected calf strain that puts his participation in Tuesday’s Trofeo TIM tournament against Milan and Juventus in doubt.

Adriano partnered Hernan Crespo in the second half along with former Roma man Amantino Mancini.

L’Imperatore was in good form and, when Mancini was felled by Masiello, converted a powerful penalty.

It was Adriano’s first goal since returning to the club from his six-month loan spell at San Paolo.

Captain Javier Zanetti was not present, as his wife Paula gave birth to son Ignacio last night.

Inter: Toldo (Julio Cesar 46) (Orlandoni 80); Maicon (Santon 46), Mei, Burdisso, Bolzoni; Jimenez (Maxwell 46), Dacourt (Cambiasso 46), Pele (Vieira 46); Figo (Mancini 46), Cruz (Adriano 46), Balotelli (Crespo 46) (Suazo 78) (Goal)

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28 Jul 2008 - dera

FC Inter will play the first Serie A match away from home against Sampdoria.

With big fonts are writed clubs against we'll play at home and with little fonts games at front.

1. sampdoria
2. CATANIA
3. torino
4. LECCE
5. milan
6. BOLOGNA
7. roma
8. GENOA
9. fiorentina
10. reggina
11. UDINESE
12. palermo
13. JUVENTUS
14. NAPOLI
15. lazio
16. CHIEVO
17. siena
18. CAGLIARI
19. atalanta

Mourinho: "I never show attention on the game schedule. Our objectiv is to win them all!"
Cordoba: "This is the harddest league in the world. We are ready for it!"

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25 Jul 2008 - dera

Inter 1-0 Al Hilal (HT: 1-0)

Scorer: Burdisso 45

INTER first half: 12 Julio Cesar; 39 Santon, 16 Burdisso, 30 Pelè, 36 Bolzoni( Babiany '36), 19 Cambiasso, 14 Vieira, 4 Zanetti; 7 Figo, 10 Adriano, 45 Balotelli.

INTER second half: 1 Toldo; 13 Maicon, 37 Mei, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 15 Dacourt, 5 Stankovic, 11 Jimenez; 33 Mancini, 9 Cruz, 18 Crespo.

Coach: Mourinho


AL HILAL: 30 Alotaibi; 15 Angrie, 23 Airat, 17 Mufaresh, 19 Kataran, 8 Saleh Dossari, 21 Bargian; Salman, 14 Tareq, 12 Thheyab; 26 Ambar.
subs: 44 Shemary, 1 Deaeya, 11 Nawaf, 5 Ghannam, 7 Kaltam, 24 Naime, 22 Lelo, 27 Muri, 29 Sultan Saud, 4 Mufaresh, 25 Sami.

Coach: Olaroiu.

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24 Jul 2008 - dera

After tomorrow morning and afternoon training, Inter will play the first friendly match on Brunico at 18:00 pm against Al-Hilal.

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23 Jul 2008 - dera

The shirt numbers of the Nerazzurri 's who will take part to the Serie A TIM 2008-2009 have been handed out:

GOALKEEPERS:
12 JULIO CESAR
22 ORLANDONI Paolo
1 TOLDO Francesco

DEFENDERS:
16 BURDISSO Nicolas
26 CHIVU Christian
2 CORDOBA Ivan Ramiro
13 MAICON
23 MATERAZZI Marco
6 MAXWELL
37 MEI Andrea
24 RIVAS Nelson
25 SAMUEL Walter
39 SANTON Davide
4 ZANETTI Javier

MIDFIELDERS:
36 BOLZONI Francesco
19 CAMBIASSO Esteban
15 DACOURT Olivier
7 FIGO Luis
11 JIMENEZ Luis
33 MANCINI Amantino
30 PELE'
5 STANKOVIC Dejan
14 VIEIRA Patrick

FORWARDS:
10 ADRIANO
45 BALOTELLI Mario
38 BIABIANY Ludovic
18 CRESPO Hernan
9 CRUZ Julio
8 IBRAHIMOVIC Zlatan
29 SUAZO David

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21 Jul 2008 - dera

Captain Javier Zanetti, Marco Materazzi, Adriano, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Amantino Mancini were the Nerazzurri models for today's presentation of the new Nike kits for the 2008/09 season.

Inter's commercial director Katia Bassi welcomed members of the press to the unveiling ceremony at the training ground, while Nike Italy sports & marketing director Cristiano Carugati illustrated the features of the brand new kits.

To celebrate Inter and Nike's ten-year partnership, there was an exhibition of black and blue shirts from the past decade.

Nike presented a personalised shirt to José Mourinho, who commented: "The kit is beautiful, but it will only be beautiful if it's a winner. It's up to us now. We have made a strong start to our work and we will continue to do so in Brunico in the coming days.

"We play our first two friendlies there but I don't like the term 'friendlies' very much. These are two matches we want to win to build a winning season."

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18 Jul 2008 - dera

Today was held the first training on the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti.

Pictures 1
Pictures 2
Pictures 3

Our boys on afternoon training were welcomed from about 3.000 fans. First they show banner to welcome Amantino Mancini, then "welcome back" for Adriano and final a big banner for Mourinho were it says "Europe is waiting. Mourinho, one of us!".

Pictures 1
Pictures 2

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17 Jul 2008 - dera

Will you have back all the important players who are injured now, in order to do your prearranged work?
"I have arrived at this club and tomorrow will be my first day of work with the team. We will then go to Brunico with the intention of working well and improving the team in relation to my footballing philosophy. For me it's a pity not to have the whole team available from the start, but these problems must be a reason to be motivated and I can't cry about it. The medical staff is working very well to get back these players who are very motivated. We have to wait, but it won't be easy to start with five players unavailable from day one. It will be a chance for the youngsters in the squad who will all be with me in Brunico. We want to create a group with a great empathy and great desire to be together."

What is the real difference between your Inter and that of Roberto Mancini?
"I don't think it's very positive to compare my work and my ideas to Mancini's Inter. He is in the history of Inter, and I'm not because I still have to work and win to make history at Inter. Each coach has different ideas. I don't like Mancini's Inter and maybe he didn't like Mourinho's Chelsea, but these things are normal. I have deep respect for his work and for what he has done for Inter's history."

Do you think you need a different mentality in the championship than in the Champions League?
"It's very important for the team to have its own identity. This means not being scared of playing against anyone and not having too much respect for anyone, and not playing European matches with exactly the same philosophy that you play championship matches with. The Champions League is a special competition and you find yourself up against teams with completely different footballing philosophies and cultures. Today you might play against an English team that plays direct football, and two weeks later against a Portuguese team that plays with direct passes and great dynamism and velocity. When this happens it's important to adapt our footballing culture, which is different from making a complete change. Having this ability to adapt is intelligent. I have a big experience of Champions League games and I can help my team improve its own change in this competition."

What does it feel like to be compared to Helenio Herrera?
"I don't like it because Mr H.H. is a man with an unforgettable history in Italian football and a special man in Inter's history. At the moment I am nothing compared to him. I am the coach of this team that wants to enter Inter's history, just like I was at Porto and Chelsea. I have just arrived here and I haven't won a single game yet, so I really don't like being compared to the 'Wizard' H.H."

How is your little dog? The feeling is that she feel happer in Italy than in England...
"I won't only have her in Italy. I will also have a very big German shepherd dog..."

When Carlo Ancelotti was asked last year if he feared your arrival at Milan, he said some controversial things about you. Why?
"You'll have to ask him. And I think he forgot one important thing. In the history of Milan a super important coach was Arrigo Sacchi who never played football better than me. Personally, my dentist is fantastic and he's never had toothache."

Besides a midfielder, have you asked the club to sign any other players?
"I can't say. This is a strange transfer market and I would have preferred it to finish on 31 July. Everything would have been a lot faster. But the transfer market lasts until 31 August so we have to adapt to the situation. We will see what to do."

Have you been reassured about the condition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
"Everything is positive at the moment. He will work with the medical staff in the first phase, then he will work with Gaudino and Bisciotti in Brunico, and there will be a third phase there in which he will also work with the team. We think we'll have him for the first match of the championship. The friendlies aren't important for him, so we will see."

Do you think six strikers are enough to win the Champions League?
"Yes. A team needs balance. It will be important to work together on defence and attack. We have many many solutions in attack, from the experience of Figo to the youth of Balotelli, from the physical strength of Adriano to the scoring instinct of Crespo and Suazo, and the talent of Ibrahimovic and the speed of Suazo. We have every possible solution."

How do you want your relationship with the press to be?
"I don't like lies. I can't talk about Italy because i have just arrived, but I'm a 21st century man like you and I have understood your market where sometimes lies sells more than truth. This is your life and I don't like it, but we have to adapt to this style. I understand your work and I have to work with you, but the protection of my group is much, much, much more important than you."

Mourinho, can you introduce your technical staff to us?
"The vice coach is, as always, a man from the club. As you know, the choice fell on Giuseppe Baresi, an easy choice because all the information I had about him confirmed what I already thought. He is the right man to collaborate with me. I'm very happy because we're creating a very important empathy. He can be a very important man for us. And then there are my usual three collaborators. There's Rui Faria, who for many years has been my fitness coach, but I don't like saying this term 'fitness coach' because he's more than this. I prefer to say that he's my right-hand man because he's a very important person for me. Then there's Silvino, who like Rui has worked with me for many years. I have always said he's a good goalkeeper, but for me he's even better as a coach. Then there's Andre Villas who I always say is the man who works most, sometimes even fifteen hours a day, and very often without even a day's rest because he observes opponents and works on statistics with the computer, and it's not easy, but we have also found a collaborator at Inter to be with him and at the moment it seems like he's a great friend to work with him because he's a fantastic lad who wants to work with him. After, there's another person, Daniele (Bernazzani) the coach of the Allievi (Nazionali) team who were Italian champions last season. He will work with me sometimes and mainly in the pre-season training camp in Brunico. It's important for him to work with men, but at the same time it's also good for the work of the youth sector. This is the technical staff, but my staff is more than this - my staff is all the people who have to work for me, like the medical department, where (Claudio) Gaudino and (Gian Nicola) Bisicotti and the fitness coaches, and the whole structure of the club. And it seems like from the first day they all have great passion to work with me."

What message did you give to the players when you met the team today? From your first contact with the team have you understood why this is such a winning group?
"I think that being a winner doesn't mean winning and being tired of winning, and I never want to lose. For me a winning player, coach or a man in general is someone who is never tired of winning. From my first meeting with the team it seems like this is a group that wants to work, and with motivations. It's very easy and very hard to work with me. It's very easy because everything is clear and organised, with no doubts, and with honesty. Everything is said face to face and it's always very direct. This is why I say it's easy to work with me. It can be difficult if you don't have the same psychological characteristics as me. I want everyone to think like me. I want them to work well, with professionalism, passion, respect and ambition with no limits. I'm a person who always sets targets with greak risks; I'm a bit aggressive in doing this and I want the group to be like me and think like me. Together we can do a good job."

Do you feel a bit of a revolutionary in terms of your working methods and relationship with the media?
"No, no, no. I'm not a revolutionary and I don't want to revolutionise anything. I'm just a person with very clear ideas. I think this is important. My philosophy of life is a bit like my philosophy of coaching: to be honest, direct and clear and ambitious - characteristics that I never want to lose. Like I said in my reply to the first question, my staff is a staff of many people. A coach isn't like a coach of twenty years ago. A coach in my opinion has to be a manager of human resources. There's a big group of people who work with me, so a short period of adaptation is needed. They have to work with me and adapt but this isn't a revolution. It's just adapting the structure of the club and the people who work with me to my philosophy. There's absolutely nothing revolutionary about this."

Besides your philosophy of work, is there a code of behaviour that the players have to respect?
"I have a code and I have spoken to the team about it, but for me the most important thing is common sense. I can't ask the players to do things that I can't do, I only ask them to do what I can do too. If, for example, I get here an hour and a half before before training I can't accept a player arriving late. With common sense and communication, we won't have any problems. There might be small internal fines for lateness or forgetfulness, but I don't think the amount of the fine is important for players who earn e few million euros. What counts is that training must start at ten if scheduled for that time. If there are 24 players on the pitch it's perfect. If there are only 14 I will just work with them because I won't accept anyone else."

And what happens if there are only 14? What will the others do?
"They will go home. And they will go when even when there's a match."

What has impressed you most in these first few days in Appiano Gentile?
"The essence of my work are the players. I really like working with the president, with Branca, with Oriali and the whole structure of the club. I'm a manager of human resources and I have to work with everybody, but the essence of my work is the players and at ten o'clock tomorrow morning I will be a much happier man than today. My job is to coach, but I like playing more than coaching. I like most the matches with different emotions rather than the 'normal matches'. But the essence of my work is to be on the pitch with my players."

Are six strikers too many?
"It's better to have too many than not have any at all. I think that many coaches in this world have the problem of not having many quality strikers. We have quite a few but if it's a problem, it's a problem for them. With all due respect, they are very special 'animals'. This will be a problem for a few of them who are not first or second choice. It's impossible to make everyone happy because only eleven go on the pitch and there are three strikers who play plus two or three on the bench. I prefer to have balance in the squad. The transfer market is open until 31 August so we have time to work and decide, but I'm happy because no one here is a washout - they are all top-quality players."

Mourinho, what do you think when I say Quaresma and Lampard?
"Lampard is a Chelsea player and Quaresma is a Porto player. I don't have to talk about players of other clubs. It's easy to understand that I worked with Frank for three and a half years. He was a fantastic player with whom I have an extraordinary relationship. In an interview given in Portugal a few weeks ago I said I like Quaresma, but I have to respect the players of other clubs."

What replies did you have from your players, in terms of their expressions, attention and euphoria?
"Today I arrived here before everyone else. I didn't speak much and observed a lot. In all of them I saw a great joy at being back to work. After, we talked for about 25 minutes and I saw great attention and concentration. We talked about tactics in general, about work and about training rules and codes of behaviour. We talked with tranquillity and I have positive vibes."

A month and a half ago you said you wanted 21 outfield players plus three goalkeepers. Have you changed your mind?
"No. This isn't my problem. I will start with 29 players, but with 5 injured players, so I have 24 players to work with - 21 on the pitch plus 3 goalkeepers, so the number is 24 and this is the number I like to work with. When the injured players are back there will be a few youngsters who will return to their teams. I told the team that I'm not a coach who tells the fitness coach to work with a group for half an hour and then makes them play a 14-a-side practice match. I want to work in an organised way with an organised group, with a maximum of 22 players on the pitch."

What is your relationship with Roman Abramovich, who is thinking of keeping Lampard to spite you?
"I need another midfielder. I told the players today because I like to be honest with them. A month ago I told Branca and the president that I would like to have a midfielder who is different from the midfielders we already have. As for Abramovich, I don't know what to say. I'm the coach of Inter and it's Moratti, Branca and Oriali, not me, who take care of transfers and relationships with other clubs. For Lampard I have no idea how it will end up. The transfer market is open until 31 August and I'd really like to have an extra player for the midfield. The club knows this and will see what to do."

There have been rumours of a possible transfer for Stankovic. What do you think of him?
"Stankovic isn't a problem. I like him as a player and what I will say now is what I told him earlier, otherwise I wouldn't allow myself to say it: for me the Stankovic at Inter has never been the Stankovic he was at Lazio. For me working with him is a challenge. If possible I will try to get him back to being like he was in his Lazio years."

How did it feel to know that Milan presented Ronaldino today?
"I'm very happy. When I worked for Chelsea I worked for English football in general. Now that I'm at Inter I also work for Italian football. To have a top-class championship in Europe it's important for everyone to give their contribution. If players of the calibre of Ronaldinho arrive it's easier for the Italian tournament to return to being one of the most important. So I'm happy he has come to Milan."

Excluding Inter's players, which Serie A player do you like the most?
"This is a million-dollar question. There's a player I really like and he doesn't play for Milan, Juventus or Roma."

Have you also spoken to Nicolas Burdisso?
"Yes. I have spoken to all of them. The situation is easy: at the moment we have three central defenders - Burdisso, Materazzi and Rivas. But in a few months' time we could have six because Chivu, Cordoba and Samuel will return from injury. When all six are available we will have to consider that I play two on the pitch, one goes on the bench and three end up in the stands. This isn't a problem for me. In fact, it's an advantage because I will have lots of cover if there are injuries or suspensions. But six central defenders are too many. I have been honest with them and they are intelligent and have understood the situation."

Will the transfer market end with the arrival of a midfielder, or will there be a few other arrivals?
"The transfer market closes on 31 August. You never know what can happen until that day. We have to wait."

What tactical scheme will you use? I wanted your opinion of Ibrahimovic and Adriano. Do you consider them as centre-forwards or are you thinking of using them in a different way?
"We always have a philosophy and a starting point. The 4-3-3 is the scheme I really like and when I talk about this scheme I mean three pure strikers. The position of the strikers isn't important and it can change from match to match. The challenge will be defending with three players in midfield in order to give the team the complete freedom of going on the pitch with three strikers. At that point playing Adriano and Ibrahimovic together won't be a problem."

What do you think of Amantino Mancini, the first signing under your management?
"I like him and this is why I wanted him. He's a wide player who can play well in the middle. He likes playing between the lines, he loves playing diagonally and he gets into scoring positions. He's fast, he's creative and dynamic. He has an excellent score in Serie A. He's a right-footed player who plays on the left wing and I like this because he can move into the centre."

Mourinho, in England they accused you of being a defensive coach...
"Not in Italy, right? Ah, in England... With Chelsea all the Premiership records were ours. From 2004 to 2007 we won the most matches away from home, the most consecutive matches, we scored the most goals and we set almost all the records. So I don't understand this kind of observation. We played very well with three strikers and with a diamond 4-4-2, always playing a very offensive and dynamic game in attack. We won many matches in the last 10-15 minutes and in many of those cases I used just three defenders when we needed to take more risks, and this is another system I like playing with. I like having this system as an ace up a sleeve - you can use it in the final minutes of a game when you need to win because it can bring you many important points. So whoever said that is not in love with me..."

Between Porto and Chelsea you won 99 consecutive home matches...
"In truth I haven't lost my last 99 matches played at home. I only need one more to get to a hundred. It would be a great satisfaction for me, but everything is possible in football."

Have you found a motivated Adriano?
"I can't say because the contact was more on a group level than individual. He's a player who was here and then was left out and went through a complicated time in his professional life, but now he has a great chance to return to European football and play for a great team like Inter. If he's not motivated, what does he want to do with his life? He will have to be very motivated."

A step back. Who is that player in Italian football that you like a lot? Is it perhaps Cassano or Hamsik?
"Sorry, but this question has no sense, otherwise you will name the players of every Italian team..."

What difference is there between joining a club like Chelsea that hadn't won a title for 50 years, and joining Inter that has won three consecutive Scudettos?
"It's the same thing. I don't think there's much difference. At one you want to win because you have never won, at the other you want to win because you have won and you want to win again."

In your working method do you accentuate competition between players in training?
"Competition between players is very important. Today I explained to them that most of my work is competitive. I always try to do this. I don't mind this 'war' between two players in the same position, and I like to have two options for every role so that whoever plays has to work to keep his place. The first choice always has to work to be first choice and the second choice always has to work to become first choice. This is why i like working with a smaller squad."

Since you arrived in Italy, the whole environment seems to be in love with Mourinho. Are you more flattered or worried?
"I have to thank everybody. My mental predisposition for work is the same whether they criticise or speak well of me. I can't be influenced by this. I like it and I thank them, but I'm no fool. I know full well that it won't always be like this until the end of the season." (Official FC Inter web site)

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16 Jul 2008 - dera

Amantino Mancini is officially an Inter player. The Brazilian attacking midfielder, born in Belo Horizonte on 1 August 1980, joined Inter on a permanent deal from Roma this morning, and has signed a four-year contract which will run until 30 June 2012. The documents have already been registered at the Italian Football League's offices.

Accompanied by technical director Marco Branca, transfer market consultant Gabriele Oriali and coach José Mourinho, Amantino Mancini was introduced to the press this afternoon at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti, where he will start work with his new team tomorrow morning.

Pictures

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15 Jul 2008 - dera

Today we have done an interview with Spanish goalkeeper Eduardo Díez.

Tell us for the beginning your full name and how many years you have?
"My name is Eduard Díez Sánchez and I’m 28 years old."

How long are you playing football and in which you have all the clubs played to date?
"I play football since 1988 more or less. I have played in U.E. Sant Andreu (Barcelona – Spain), La Gramanet (Barcelona – Spain), Girondins de Bordeaux-B (France), Salamanca (Spain), S.C. Requena (Valencia - Spain)…"

What do you think about FC Inter?
"I think FC Internazionale Milano is one of the greatest teams in the world because it always had wonderful players and an interesting organization."

Who is your idol?
"I like very much Buffon and Vandersaar."

What do you think, what will the success of the new Inter's coach, Jose Mourinho, to achieve this season?
"Well, for me Jose Mourinho is the best coach in the world and if he goes to a wonderful team like Inter he will obtain a lot of success."

Who is the best player for you at Inter FC?
"In my opinion this club is very important in Europe and a reference in the world, in spain that I live it’s a team dread for the clubs in the champions league, it’s a team very well-balanced."

What do you think, is a player who needed Inter and think about what player that are discussed last time?
"I think Inter must buy Ronaldinho because his play would be favourable to them. For me Mancini it’s a older player but a clever player in a team that is necessary, about Quaresma I think he is a great midfield, quick and with a good dribbling, and Lampard is for me another good midfield because he’s a great strategist who knows very well the football field."

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13 Jul 2008 - dera

This time, for interfanclub.com exclusive interview gave Danilo Mamone. 20-annual foward decided agree to an interview for IFC although gentle lover of AS Roma.

Tell us for the beginning your full name and how many years you have?
"My name is Danilo Mamone and I have 20 years."

How long are you playing football and in which you have all the clubs played to date?
"I started playing football 10 years in a school of football 'Inter in my country. Then I went to Multedo, Fegino, Castellese and now play in the Murta. All teams of my country."

What do you think about FC Inter?
"I think it is the strongest team in Italy but in Europe has not yet shown its strength and I think that this year will see."

Who is your idol?
"The first is Diego Armando Maradona, Ronaldo is the second and the third is Francesco Totti, also because I typhoid Rome! But as a player to resemble very Ezequiel Lavezzi of Naples."

What do you think, what will the success of the new Inter's coach, Jose Mourinho, to achieve this season?
"I think in general will change the Italian football because it's a great coach and has a great character, will surely win both to 'Inter and will entertain his fans!"

Who is the best player for you at Inter FC?
"Is difficult because there are so many nell'Inter samples, but if I have to choose one I choose because Ibrahimovic is a player in that field makes the difference."

Tell us a little about your career, whether you're happy with result until now?
"Of course, I have yet to become a mature player and precious to me is that I did not immediately change a larger club in which you probably would not find out. Soon, I could go to another state."

What do you think, is a player who needed Inter and think about what player that are discussed last time?
"My opinion is that you need Ricardo Quaresma, definitely Portugese percent so far have not playmakera like him and the other larger clubs have such as Kaka, Totti and other players outside of Italy. Mancini will surely show the maximum Interu and I think that you are not wrong with buying Brasilian. Lampard, he is one of the best players in the world and any team would come good. "

Do you have something to add to or near tell our site?
"Im sending a big salute to all the members of your map and just continue this way!"

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12 Jul 2008 - dera

Today it is in all the newspapers write that the agreement fell between Barca and Milan around Ronaldinho. However, the matter is not very much ready transferred as sources close to interfanclub.com think that the Inter and this time could steal player from rivals.

Beginning prices for Dinho amounted to £ 28m but it was AC Milan managed to settle on £ 20m. Galliani said he is and the high price and they are ready to give just £ 12m.

Today, they are allegedly Mourinho and Moratti met and decided to send a bid in the amount of £ 15m on the condition "take or leave".

Mou said he believes that Ronaldinho could still return to old form and that he is one of the best players today.

Sources close to interfanclub.com transferred to Laporta has accepted the offer but remains on us just to see.

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12 Jul 2008 - dera

Today is exclusively for interfanclub.com, Fabio da Silva Ferreira (Fabigol) gave the interview. 28-annual Brasilian was born in Sao Paulo and is currently playing as attacker for C. Esportivo de Futebol. In his career he reached 73 goals in 66 games.

Tell us for the beginning your full name and how many years you have?
"My name is Fabio da Silva Ferreira, and I have 28 years."

How long are you playing football and in which you have all the clubs played to date?
"In the right club I have begun to play fudbal even 16 years ago. I have begun career in Palmeiras, and currently play for C. Esportivo de Futebol. I also played for the Macaé Sporte FC and FC Guarany."

What position you play?
"Im attacker."

Would you like to play in Europe?
"Yes, that's the dream of every player here in Brazil. These days I received a couple of bids from Europe."

What do you think about FC Inter?
"One of the biggest clubs in the world, and I think that every player would love to play for Inter."

Who is your idol?
"Zinedine Zidane and Batistuta."

What do you think, what will the success of the new Inter's coach, Jose Mourinho, to achieve this season?
"He is a great coach and I think that FC Inter can go to the very top with him."

Who is the best player for you at Inter FC?
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic."

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11 Jul 2008 - dera

Amantino Mancini is an Inter player after the Nerazzurri agreed a deal with Roma this afternoon.

The Brazilian wizard was a star for the Giallorossi last season, but had made it clear that he saw his future elsewhere.

New Inter boss Jose Mourinho set his heart on bringing Mancini in as his first addition and that has come to fruition.

Early indications are that the Italian champions will pay their Super Cup opponents £10.3m and that Mancini will sign a four-year deal worth £2.8m per season.

“Both sides are satisfied,” Inter director Gabriele Oriali told Sky Sport Italia.

“We hope that Mancini can do as well as Cristian Chivu has for us and become an important player.” (C4)

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10 Jul 2008 - dera

Inter FC is the favorite again at all betshops to win Serie A.

Quota on Bwin on us is 2.3, and then follows with AC Milan quota 3.5; Roma 5.25, 5.25 Juventus, Fiorentina 34, etc.

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08 Jul 2008 - dera

Italian champions Inter will report back for pre-season training on Wednesday 16 July.

José Mourinho's Nerazzurri will train at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti* in Appiano Gentile for two days before leaving for a ten-day training camp in Brunico in the South Tyrol.

During their stay in the mountains Inter will play two friendlies, one against Saudi outfit Al Hilal on Thursday 24 July and the other against Serie B side Bari on Sunday 27 July. Both games will kick off at 18:00.

On their return from the summer training camp Inter will face Juventus and AC Milan in the Tim Trophy triangular tournament on Tuesday 29 July at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

After five more days of training sessions in Appiano Gentile from Thursday 31 July to Monday 4 August, Inter will leave for Munich where they will face German champions Bayern on 5 August. The Franz Beckenbauer Cup / 12th Pirelli Trophy clash will kick off at 20:45 in the Allianz Arena.

The Nerazzurri will remain overseas for their next two friendlies of the pre-season. Mourinho's men take on Seville on Friday 8 August (kick-off 19:00) and Ajax on Saturday 9 August (kick-off 21:15). Both games in the Amsterdam ArenA are part of the prestigious LG Amsterdam Tournament.

Preparations for 2008/09 will continue with three more days of double training sessions in Appiano Gentile. Inter will then travel to Portugal for the Eusebio Cup match against Benfica at the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon, to take place on Friday 15 August (kick-off 22:00 local time).

*Unless stated otherwise, all training sessions at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti in Appiano Gentile are closed to the public. (Official FC Inter web site)

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07 Jul 2008 - dera