Category: Inter

Maldini: ‘Pressure is on, but Milan can handle it’

May 8, 2022

Paolo Maldini admits the pressure is on Milan going into the final two rounds, but they proved with the comeback win against Verona that they ‘can handle it.’

The Rossoneri retained their two-point lead at the top of the table with this evening’s 3-1 victory at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Marco Davide Faraoni had put Hellas in front, but a pair of Sandro Tonali goals on Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi off the bench sealed it.

“With so much enthusiasm around us, the important thing now is to try to give a sense of calm,” the technical director told Milan TV.

“It was a match, unlike the one against Lazio, where we started very strong and dominated for the first 20-25 minutes, seeing a goal ruled marginally offside.

“If you go behind in that situation and you are not ready, it can spark a crisis. When there are so few matches left and you can see the finish line, if the team isn’t sufficiently mature to react in the right way, they could lose their heads.

“I really have to congratulate the lads, they did everything that was asked of them, including those who came in off the bench.”

Milan will be the Champions of Italy if they pick up at least four points in the remaining two games, at home to Atalanta and away to Sassuolo. Do they feel close?

“We are close because there are only two rounds left. These are not easy games, but neither was the one we played this evening,” added Maldini.

“I watched Atalanta today, they are alive and kicking, still challenging for Europe and full of top level players. We are playing at San Siro, a packed house.

“There will be a lot of pressure on us, but we can handle it.”

Maldini: ‘Pressure is on, but Milan can handle it’

May 8, 2022

Paolo Maldini admits the pressure is on Milan going into the final two rounds, but they proved with the comeback win against Verona that they ‘can handle it.’

The Rossoneri retained their two-point lead at the top of the table with this evening’s 3-1 victory at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Marco Davide Faraoni had put Hellas in front, but a pair of Sandro Tonali goals on Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi off the bench sealed it.

“With so much enthusiasm around us, the important thing now is to try to give a sense of calm,” the technical director told Milan TV.

“It was a match, unlike the one against Lazio, where we started very strong and dominated for the first 20-25 minutes, seeing a goal ruled marginally offside.

“If you go behind in that situation and you are not ready, it can spark a crisis. When there are so few matches left and you can see the finish line, if the team isn’t sufficiently mature to react in the right way, they could lose their heads.

“I really have to congratulate the lads, they did everything that was asked of them, including those who came in off the bench.”

Milan will be the Champions of Italy if they pick up at least four points in the remaining two games, at home to Atalanta and away to Sassuolo. Do they feel close?

“We are close because there are only two rounds left. These are not easy games, but neither was the one we played this evening,” added Maldini.

“I watched Atalanta today, they are alive and kicking, still challenging for Europe and full of top level players. We are playing at San Siro, a packed house.

“There will be a lot of pressure on us, but we can handle it.”

Pioli reveals Ibrahimovic’s inspirational Milan speech

May 8, 2022

Stefano Pioli reveals what Zlatan Ibrahimovic told Milan players in the pre-match talk to get them fired up and ready to cast aside the ‘Fatal Verona’ nightmare.

The Rossoneri needed a victory at the Stadio Bentegodi to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.

This is a fixture that has always been problematic for Milan, who famously lost the Scudetto with costly defeats here in 1973 and 1990, earning it the nickname of ‘Fatal Verona.’

Speaking in his press conference after the 3-1 victory, coach Pioli reveals the key speech was given by 40-year-old Ibrahimovic in the locker room.

“We knew there was no tomorrow, there was only today,” explained Pioli.

“Ibrahimovic said something wonderful: ‘Everyone remembers the Milan players who won the Scudetto or the Champions League, so if we want to be remembered, we’ve got three games to do it.’”

The Diavolo now need only four points from the remaining two matches to be crowned Champions of Italy.

They host Atalanta on May 15 and visit Sassuolo on May 22.

Milan can finish level with Inter and still take the title, as they have a superior head-to-head record.

Pioli reveals Ibrahimovic’s inspirational Milan speech

May 8, 2022

Stefano Pioli reveals what Zlatan Ibrahimovic told Milan players in the pre-match talk to get them fired up and ready to cast aside the ‘Fatal Verona’ nightmare.

The Rossoneri needed a victory at the Stadio Bentegodi to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.

This is a fixture that has always been problematic for Milan, who famously lost the Scudetto with costly defeats here in 1973 and 1990, earning it the nickname of ‘Fatal Verona.’

Speaking in his press conference after the 3-1 victory, coach Pioli reveals the key speech was given by 40-year-old Ibrahimovic in the locker room.

“We knew there was no tomorrow, there was only today,” explained Pioli.

“Ibrahimovic said something wonderful: ‘Everyone remembers the Milan players who won the Scudetto or the Champions League, so if we want to be remembered, we’ve got three games to do it.’”

The Diavolo now need only four points from the remaining two matches to be crowned Champions of Italy.

They host Atalanta on May 15 and visit Sassuolo on May 22.

Milan can finish level with Inter and still take the title, as they have a superior head-to-head record.

Pioli defines Tonali strengths and Milan belief in Scudetto

May 8, 2022

Stefano Pioli describes Sandro Tonali’s strengths, how unpicking Verona tactically could be used against Atalanta and how Milan developed their ‘courage and belief’ in the Scudetto dream.

It was a rough start at the Bentegodi when Tonali’s opener was ruled offside and Marco Davide Faraoni instead put Verona in front.

However, Tonali got on the end of another two Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi came off the bench to seal the 3-1 victory.

Serie A | Verona 1-3 Milan: Birthday boy Tonali conquers the Bentegodi

“I am in love with my players, because I see the effort they put in every day, I know the journey we’ve been on. There’s another very tough one coming up, so we’re satisfied yes, but already need to find concentration for the next,” Pioli told DAZN.

This allows the Rossoneri to retain their two-point lead at the top of the table over Inter, and is their 10th victory of the season coming back from a trailing situation.

“Courage and belief come from your experience and your performances. For example, not taking the lead after 25 minutes, we didn’t feel anxious, because we knew that we were playing well and kept that spirit going to the end.

“This squad has step by step climbed the ladder, we’ve got to keep this concentration, determination and belief going for the final two games.”

Theo Hernandez was cutting inside more than usual, is that to counter Verona’s three-man defence and could it be used again with Atalanta next week?

“I think we played one of our best performances for 70-80 minutes against Atalanta last time, but they are one of the best squads in the league. They have a similar tactical approach to Verona, so it’s important to find the right characteristics within our squad to neutralise those strengths.”

Tonali had the best performance of his career, scoring two goals and having a third chalked offside, all on his 22nd birthday.

“He is young, but so strong. I said after two days of pre-season training, he was completely different to last term. These are young lads, many of us are experiencing this level for the first time and doing it in the right way, but we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“When coaches say it takes time to build a team, we also mean just getting to know our players and finding those characteristics that can be used. When we have two midfielders, we can attack more down the wings, whereas like this we can allow Tonali to surge forward and use the way he times those runs.

“The first day, I asked Sandro what his ideal position was, he said ‘people compare me to Andrea Pirlo, but I consider myself more of a Gennaro Gattuso.’ I think if we add in Daniele De Rossi to that mix, that completes him.”

Milan take on Atalanta next and this is a special fixture for Pioli and the Rossoneri.

“We are in the final stages. I think this Milan was born during the horrible, humiliating 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. That was when we realised what was needed to develop this team. It was one of the most negative moments of my career, but also one of the most valuable.”

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Leicester join Premier League rivals and Inter in race for Bremer

May 8, 2022

Leicester City met with Torino this week to discuss a deal for Gleison Bremer, who is also wanted by Inter, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The 25-year-old Brazilian centre back has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in Serie A this season, shining under Ivan Juric in Turin. His stats show that he’s one of the most effective defenders when it comes to interceptions, blocks, aerial battles and clearances, a sign of his well-rounded style.

As reported by The Sun, Leicester’s representatives met with Torino earlier this week to discuss Bremer whilst they were in Italy for the Europa Conference League semi-final against Roma. They hope that a possible exchange deal involving Dennis Praet may prove convincing.

It won’t be easy for the Foxes, however, as they are facing serious competition from Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, as well as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool. Valued at around €40m, Bremer will undoubtedly be one of the key figures of the upcoming summer transfer window in Serie A.

Leicester join Premier League rivals and Inter in race for Bremer

May 8, 2022

Leicester City met with Torino this week to discuss a deal for Gleison Bremer, who is also wanted by Inter, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The 25-year-old Brazilian centre back has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in Serie A this season, shining under Ivan Juric in Turin. His stats show that he’s one of the most effective defenders when it comes to interceptions, blocks, aerial battles and clearances, a sign of his well-rounded style.

As reported by The Sun, Leicester’s representatives met with Torino earlier this week to discuss Bremer whilst they were in Italy for the Europa Conference League semi-final against Roma. They hope that a possible exchange deal involving Dennis Praet may prove convincing.

It won’t be easy for the Foxes, however, as they are facing serious competition from Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, as well as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool. Valued at around €40m, Bremer will undoubtedly be one of the key figures of the upcoming summer transfer window in Serie A.

Historic precedent suggests Lautaro-Correa is best for Coppa Italia final

May 8, 2022

If Simone Inzaghi had any doubts about his Inter attack for the Coppa Italia final against Juventus next week, historic results could give him a clue who to start.

The Nerazzurri will play in their first Coppa Italia final in a decade next week on Wednesday, giving Inzaghi the chance to secure his second piece of silverware in the Lombardy capital. Inter’s last cup final came in the 2010-11 season, when they beat Palermo 3-1 in the final.

As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Argentinian players have had an important impact on Inter’s Coppa Italia finals in the past, scoring nine of their last 13 goals in the decisive match. These include goals for Hernan Crespo, Diego Milito, Julio Cruz and Cambiasso.

With Joaquin Correa returning to full fitness, Inzaghi may decide to partner the former Lazio man alongside an in-form Lautaro Martinez, relying on an Argentinian strike force to overcome Massimiliano Allegri’s inconsistent Juventus.