Inter - Barcelona (16 Sep 09)

[CafeCordoba]

Oh jesus christ. I'd change even Toldo for Muntari if it was my only chance to get Muntari off the pitch. He's plain horrible, he really can't handle the pressure it seems. Same was against Man Utd last season, absolutely horrible performance back then like now.

I'm content that Inter have been able to create at least something. But our midfield isn't too compact really, there's so much space between our defence and midfield it's horrible. If it keeps going like that, Barcelona will score from one of those chances when they get the ball near our penalty area (Messi, Zlatan).

Hopefully Stankovic will be entered right from the start of the second half. Putting Balotelli would compromise our defensive play seriously.

 

[J zanetti]

MunPhuckingtari has been a constant pain through out the 1st half. Barca started strongest then we took over, and then Barca came back with a strong finish.
We should start putting pressure on them much higher up because giving them such space in our half time after time could and possibly will penalise us.

Pretty balanced game.... Now without Muntari the game could really go either way!

 

[FCBarca]

Those little lofted thru balls are killing us.

If you pack it up back there, it's the only way to beat the wall...Put it over the top.

 

[K.I.]

Replace stankovic with Muntari and if we need to attack put on Balotelli.

 

[Suneet]

Cuchu? or Deki? If Deki was a little quicker, this would be a no brainer, but I would still do it. Muntari is like a lucky draw every time he gets the ball, tactically he is in the right places but he doesnt do the right things.

Also, Sneijder needs to get involved and Motta is having a good night today. Balo might help, but to sub him for Muntari now would mean giving Messi the key to the door.

 

[blackmore]

wow sully calm down...man if we had signed hamsik this year we would have been sick...i cant wait to see us play next year

 

[shahz_nerazzurri]

Playing with Muntari is like playing with 9 men. Jesus, his balls are either going to row Z's or Barca players. And he is getting dispossesed very easily off the ball. Its not like he is even getting dispossesed, its like he is giving the ball way willingly. Somebody freakin tell him what team he is playing for.

Positives from the first half are Milito and Lucio. Eto hasnt really impressed me.

Barca started way stronger and finished way stronger. We had a decent 15 min period in the middle.

 

[The_Emperor]

We are doing quite well, imo. Only problem I have is Muntari (duh!?) who cannot give a proper pass if his life depended on it.

 

[Handoyo]

And yes, it is hard not to like this ToTo partnership. They are both very all-rounded strikers who work tremendously hard for the team. But Barcelona is seriously fucking imba. Not only do they have probably 4 of the very best offensive players in the world in Ibra, Messi , Xavi & Iniesta, they also have Puyol and Pique has continued to improve as well! I thought the young defender has been immense tonight. I'd really be surprised if they don't at least win one of the CL or La Liga this season.

 

[Raul Duke]

Iniesta will come on for henry I think. that would cause us a lot of problems

 

[FCBarca]

Really like Yaya's play too...Not sure why some of you are down on Samu, I thought he was very key to Inter's opportunities thus far...His pressure has made a big difference in the match

 

[rfU]

who was it who wanted Muntari starting in 3-man midfield for Inter this season??? I have to say tho, this is the worst I've seen Muntari play... Would be gr8 is Cambiasso is able to play but I don't want to risk him for a group stage match.

 

[Luka]

We're trying to press the Barca whenever there is the possibility, and it worked couple of times. They ain't supperhumans, and make mistakes.

The stats also show that even though Barca had better chances to score(Ibra, Keita), we're trying to keep the ball too at times, not only wait for the counter.

Ball possesion...... 47% vs 53%

This is very low for Barca, I don't remember, when was the last time they had such a low ball possesion.

 

[Suneet]

Agree with Shahz, we need to give Eto'o the ball near their box and not in our half to take it there. Milito is the same and for them to play well, we need Sneijder to spray decent 2-3 through balls...

 

[FCBarca]

Iniesta will come on for henry I think. that would cause us a lot of problems

Trying to figure out if he'll come on for Thierry or come on for Keita...Pep has had a lot of confidence in Keita so perhaps the Titi switch may happen...Personally, I don't like having Iniesta playing so deep in the attack like that...He's far more dangerous coming through the middle of the pitch

Curious if Pep gives Maxwell a run out to add something where Abidal hasn't so far

 

[Ehsan]

By the way guys, did you notice how Muntari sucks? hahaha just kidding go ahead and vent.

We're doing very well considering who we are facing. For a team which is still a work in progress, we're holding the best team in the world and creating some chances as well. It's a very tactical game, and you can see that both coaches have done their homework and are almost canceling each other out. A goal is more likely to come from a defensive mistake, so that's why we are pressing very hard. Barca players and even the keeper can't hold on to the ball for 2 seconds without an Inter player or two running towards them.

Back to Muntari, he will be subbed sooner rather than later. Not only did he almost cost us, but I can imagine we would have had a few more striking opportunities up front if it wasn't for him. I like the guy but it's not his day... maybe after Ramadan. For now, I don't know why, but I kinda like the idea of Mario in his place.

For some reason this game feels like a final to me. My heart is really pumping, even though it's the first game and it's not a big deal if we even lose from Barca. I believe we can score here with a couple of tactical tweaks and some luck, so let's take advantage of the situation.

 

[FCBarca]

We're trying to press the Barca whenever there is the possibility, and it worked couple of times. They ain't supperhumans, and make mistakes.

The stats also show that even though Barca had better chances to score(Ibra, Keita), we're trying to keep the ball too at times, not only wait for the counter.

Ball possesion...... 47% vs 53%

This is very low for Barca, I don't remember, when was the last time they had such a low ball possesion.

Very low, I agree...Although, UEFA has it at 57-43...Credit the strikers up top in Milito & Samu, IMHO...When Iniesta comes on, however, that will change

 

[Wallace]

Ball possesion...... 47% vs 53%

This is very low for Barca, I don't remember, when was the last time they had such a low ball possesion.

Really? ESPN here shows 42 vs 58

 

[K.I.]

Maybe it will change, you dont know for sure.

 

[Principe]

I think Inter is doing really well if you take away Muntari's mistake, Barca were the better team in the beginning of the game but I've noticed lately that Inter are slow to start off, it takes them 20 minutes to get into the game and if they don't get scored on in the first 20 minutes they'll take control. However Muntari decided to gift Barca 3 chances which they could've capatalised from.

Maybe Stankovic would be better instead of Muntari in the 2nd half. I don't think putting Balotelli in would be helpful as our main problem wasn't attacking since both Eto'o and Milito are doing well and fighting for the balls however our main problem is the distribution in the middle where our players are not keeping calm and are losing the ball and Muntari's mistakes