Grande Inter 12-Jan-2007



[image: Magazine Promo 12.01.07]

*Magazine Promo 12.01.07 (uefa.com)*

by *Paolo Menicucci *from *Milan*

It might be too early to draw comparisons with the great FC Internazionale
Milano sides of the past, but Roberto Mancini's team have already equalled
the Serie A record of eleven consecutive wins and are making a fortune for
bookmakers who accept bets each week on which Italian side will be the first
to beat them this season. "No other team in Italy can count on 20 to 22
players of this level," club legend Sandro Mazzola told uefa.com. "If you
look at 13 or 14 players, maybe there are other sides who can compete with
Inter but not if you look at 20 to 22. It's hard to find a team in the whole
of Europe with so much talent in their squad."

*'Options'*
Mazzola was a European Champion Clubs' Cup winner with Inter in 1964 and
1965 and is well qualified to judge the qualities of this Inter side. Having
been awarded the Scudetto last season after Juventus were stripped of the
crown, Inter have been called on to confirm that success on the pitch,
something Mazzola believes they are well on the way to doing. "Last season
you could already see Inter were playing as a team. This season they've
managed to keep a constant momentum and have so many different options
especially in midfield and attack."

*Cambiasso praise*
According to Mazzola, that is where Inter's main strength lies. "[Esteban]
Cambiasso is one of the most important players in the team but even when he
was out with a serious injury it was almost impossible to notice the
difference. Adriano has just started scoring again, but the attack was also
very good without him. Just imagine how good it could be if Adriano plays as
well as he has done in recent seasons."

*Power*
If he returns to form, the Brazilian striker's strength and power would be
another important string to Mancini's bow. Mancini has built his side around
a formidable power base; physically they are stronger than anyone else.
Adriano is 1.90m tall, a giant among giants with Marco Materazzi, Fabio
Grosso, Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimović all of similar ilk. Their
aerial ability, especially at set-pieces, combined with the skills of
Ibrahimović himself, Luís Figo, Dejan Stanković and others, make for an
explosive combination.

*Serie A weakened*
Inter's strength, contrasts with the relative weakness of Serie A, shorn of
Juventus and with AC Milan handicapped by a points deduction, punishment for
their involvement in last season's match-fixing scandal. In addition,
traditionally strong sides such as SSC Napoli, Genoa 1893 and Bologna FC are
all locking horns in Serie B, giving the second tier a competitive edge the
top flight lacks. Inter may have faced more of a fight had they had to
tackle those teams, but Mazzola dismisses the idea that the Nerazzurri have
it easy.

[image: "]Every player fully knows the potential of the team and Mancini has
managed to give his side a winning mentality[image: "]

*'Winning mentality'*
"Juventus are in Serie B and perhaps Milan didn't strengthen their squad as
much as they should have over the summer, but the league is as it is and it
is useless to speak about a lack of competition. I'm sure Inter would have
had a great season even if Juventus were in Serie A and Milan were at their
best. Inter are a very complete and mature side. Every player fully knows
the potential of the team and Mancini has managed to give his side a winning
mentality."

*Nerazzurri supporter*
The 64-year-old Mazzola, the son of former Torino FC star Valentino Mazzola
who was killed in the Superga air disaster in 1949, spent his entire career
at Inter, scoring 116 Serie A goals and winning the Scudetto four times as
well as the European Cup and the European/South American Cup twice. He
worked as a director at the club until 2003 and his heart still beats for
the Nerazzurri. "We - the Inter fans - all hope [president] Massimo Moratti
will finally receive the reward he deserves for what he has done for the
club. Obviously I will never forget what Inter did for me, which is why I
will always love the club. I believe this team can give the fans something
very important this season."

*Just the start*
Mazzola, though, won't make comparisons between this side and La Grande
Inter he played for in the Sixties. "We won so many trophies, while this
side have just started, it's too early to compare," he said. "However, I
believe Mancini's team have everything they need to start a winning cycle. I
really hope so." Lothar Matthäus, leader of the Inter side who won the title
in 1989, also shies away from comparisons. "We're talking about two
different periods. I just know we had a fantastic season and broke an
impressive number of records. I'm still a great Inter fan and I just hope
Mancini can continue like this in the league
*Source(text): UEFA.com* *Source(images): AFP*

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