In an interview in the print edition of today’s newspaper Il Giornale, former Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo reminisced about Inter’s 1-0 Champions League second leg semifinal loss to Barcelona which took place 10 years ago yesterday.

Although Inter lost the match, they still progressed to the Champions League final with thanks to a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.

“We were monumental. Everyone in the world knows how strong Barcelona are, especially at home. They have extraordinary characteristics and can put any team in difficulty but they did not show it against us,” he began the interview which appeared in today’s print edition.

“I still remember the great save that Julio Cesar made on Lionel Messi and despite Thiago Motta being sent off, we managed to hold on until the end of the game.”

He then went on to reveal that things turned sour in the camp the day before the second leg but things were sorted out in time before the game.

“The day before there was a big fight during lunch in our squad for reasons that I cannot tell you, those reasons are among the secrets from that year but everything was resolved in the best way and we took to the field more united than ever before.”

Toldo, who spent nine years on Inter’s books and retired after the Champions League final, then spoke on something he believes was crucial in the team being as successful as they were.

“The real strength of that group of players was that everything was done directly. We said things to each others faces without anyone being offended. There were also great players who made themselves available and put the interests of the team before their personal interests.”

Toldo then went on to speak about what was great about then manager Jose Mourinho, who was absolutely pivotal in Inter’s historic treble win.

“He is above all a psychologist, man management is fundamental for him, clarity and communication are strong points. He gets respect from the team. Several times he attacked the great players for various reasons without anyone being offended.

“He was the first to training and the last to leave. With him you could easily discuss any topic, he was always prepared. His talent in speaking multiple foreign languages ​​stood out and he demonstrated it at his presentation at Pinetina.”

Toldo then spoke on Inter bottling the 2001/02 Serie A season right at the end: “It was the most bitter epilogue to a season that was distorted to the detriment of sporting meritocracy.”

He also spoke on former teammate Ronaldo: “Ronaldo? He is the best and most sympathetic Brazilian I have known, despite his physical adversities he always sported a contagious smile.”

The former Italian national team shot-stopper also spoke on today’s Inter.

“Compared to previous years, I think the level has been raised, even if it is not enough to compete with Juventus. Inter have a remarkable history and deserve many more Serie A title wins.”

The post Inter Legend Toldo: “There Was A Big Fight Day Before Return Leg Of 2010 Champions League Semifinal Against Barcelona” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Former Barcelona and Argentina national team forward Javier Saviola has shared his belief that Inter striker Lautaro Martinez could be good for Barcelona but has insisted that it will not be easy for him.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with making a move for the 22-year-old forward in recent weeks and months with many reports suggesting he is there number one transfer target.

Lautaro has a €111 million release clause in his current contract with Inter but reports have stated Barcelona would instead prefer to do a player(s) plus cash deal for the former Racing Club player, who has also been linked to Real Madrid and Manchester City.

“Honestly for me he is a player who can come in handy for Barcelona. We know what it means to be next to Suarez, Messi and other great players but I am not saying that it is easy to play with them,” Saviola remarked in an interview with Goal.com via social media platform Instagram.

“Dybala said it was difficult with Messi and I supported him because it requires a high level of concentration, to be at his pace. It seems easy but it is not.”

This season Lautaro has made 31 appearances across all competitions to date in which he has scored 16 goals and provided a total of four assists for his Nerazzurri teammates.

The post Ex-Barcelona Striker Saviola: “Inter’s Lautaro Martinez Can Do Well At Barcelona But It’s Not Easy To Play With Lionel Messi” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Udinese caretaker manager Luca Gotti has insisted that the club are not in a position where they have to sell of their best players amid continued speculation regarding the futures of many players with the club.

Goalkeeper Juan Musso and the versatile Rodrigo de Paul have both been linked with moves away in recent weeks and months in particular.

Musso has drawn links to Inter who are looking to bring in a player capable of initially serving as Samir Handanovic’s back-up and then taking over from him. He has also been linked with AC Milan.

As for de Paul, the former Valencia player has drawn links to both Milanese clubs as well as Lazio, who have seemingly identified him as a player who could replace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is on Manchester United and Real Madrid’s radar.

“Udinese are not a team that has to sell off their players or a team who needs to make immediate cash,” Gotti explained in an interview with Italian radio station Radio Sportiva earlier on today.

The post Udinese Caretaker Coach Gotti On Inter Linked Musso & De Paul: “Udinese Don’t Have To Sell Players” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Former Fiorentina defender Carlos Salcedo has revealed that he would like to see Mexican national team teammate Jesus Corona ply his trade in Serie A in the future.

In recent weeks FC Porto attacker Corona has drawn links with a move to Inter ahead of the upcoming Summer transfer window.

Roma and Premier League duo West Ham United and Everton have also been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, who primarily plays as a right winger but is also capable of playing on the opposite side and as a right back.

“Inter are a very attractive club given their history and the league they play in. I am Mexican and I would like Mexicans, especially when they are my friends, to keep growing and hope that everything will go well for them,” Salcedo explained in an interview with sports broadcaster ESPN.

“In Serie A the spaces are limited and one of the greatest virtues of Corona is his ability in one-on-one situations. I would like to see him in Serie A.”

This season Corona, who joined his current employers back in 2015 from Dutch side FC Twente, has made no less than 41 appearances across all competitions to date.

In just over 3300 minutes on the field, Corona has scored two goals and has also provided a very respectful 17 assists for his teammates.

The post Ex-Fiorentina Defender Carlos Salcedo: “Inter Are An Attractive Club To Play For, I’d Like To See Jesus Corona Play In Serie A” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Roma have pulled out of the race to sign Napoli attacker Dries Mertens according to a report from Italian news outlet CalcioMercato.com.

The Giallorossi have shown an interest in the Belgian national team forward in recent weeks due to his expiring contract status but have now relinquished their interest in signing him due to his high wages.

The 32-year-old has also drawn links to Inter, Chelsea and AS Monaco and Roma pulling out of the race is bound to come as a boost to each of those three teams.

Reports elsewhere in the media have claimed that both Inter and AS Monaco have tabled contract offers to the former PSV Eindhoven player whilst it has also been claimed that Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is in almost daily contact with Mertens over a possible move to Chelsea.

This season Mertens has made 29 appearances across all competitions to date in which he has scored 12 goals and provided six assists for his teammates.

The post Roma Pull Out Of Race To Sign Inter & Chelsea Target Napoli Striker Dries Mertens appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Inter are one of a host of clubs that have an interest in signing Atletico Madrid central midfielder Thomas Partey according to a report from the online edition of Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo.

Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG, Juventus and Roma are all also interested in signing the Ghanaian national team player, who has a €50 million release clause in his current contract with the Spanish powerhouses.

The 26-year-old, who is a product of Atleti’s academy, has a contract with the club through to the end of the 2022/23 season and he has also recently professed that he has a deep connection with the club.

The one time Europa League winner has been virtually ever present for Diego Simeone’s side with him having appeared in all barring three of their 38 games played to date.

In just under 2900 minutes on the field, Partey has scored three goals and has also provided a single assist for his teammates.

The post Inter, PSG, Man Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea Among Host Of Clubs Keen On Signing €50M Rated Atletico Madrid Midfielder Thomas Partey appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Inter are ready to offer Andrea Pinamonti and an as yet undetermined amount to Brescia for Sandro Tonali according to a report from Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset.

Inter are long term admirers of Tonali and are willing to offer one of the best youngsters to have come through the ranks at Inter in the past decade to them as part of a deal for him.

Pinamonti is currently with Genoa although Inter are due to bring him back to the club in the Summer transfer window but this report suggests that Pinamonti’s return to the Nerazzurri may be short lived.

Brescia president and owner Massimo Cellino is reportedly looking to get in the region of €50 million for Italian national team midfielder Tonali and it remains to be seen if Inter could tempt him into dealing Tonali for less by including Pinamonti in a deal.

This season Tonali has made 24 appearances across all competitions to date. He has scored a single goal and has also provided a handful of assists for his teammates.

The post Inter To Offer Brescia Andrea Pinamonti Plus Cash For Juventus Target Sandro Tonali appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that the representatives of RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner are in talks with both Inter and the Nerazzurri’s arch rivals Juventus.

Werner has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in European football in recent seasons and with him having a release clause of €60 million he is even more attractive to other clubs.

In a question and answer session with the broadcaster, Di Marzio revealed that Werner will depart the German Bundesliga club in the coming months.

“I know that Timo Werner will leave Leipzig and his agents are working to find a move for him. His agents are speaking with Juventus and Inter,” he explained.

He also admitted to being unsure as to whether Champions League holders Liverpool are in talks with his representatives given the abundance of attacking firepower they already have.

“They are probably also speaking with Liverpool but I don’t know if he is the right player for the Reds who currently have Firmino, Salah and Mane in attack.”

This season Werner, who has a contract with RB Leipzig until the end of the 2022/23 season, has made 36 appearances across all competitions to date. In just over 2800 minutes on the park, he has scored 27 goals and has provided 12 assists.

The post Gianluca Di Marzio: “Inter & Juventus In Talks With RB Leipzig Striker Timo Werner’s Agents” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Every Inter player barring one is now out of quarantine according to a report in today’s print edition of Corriere dello Sport.

Inter have granted leave to a total of eight players in recent weeks due to all that is going on at the moment. Seven players (Marcelo Brozovic, Samir Handanovic, Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen, Diego Godin, Ashley Young and Victor Moses) were initially sanctioned to return home to their families and then Alexis Sanchez was later given approval to return home to Chile for family reasons.

The first seven players all returned a few weeks ago and had to enter into an obligatory quarantine period of two weeks. The quarantine for all of those players expired yesterday at the latest.

Sanchez returned a few days after the rest and therefore still has a few days left to run on his quarantine period.

With training seemingly set to resume on May 18, Inter will therefore have every player available to them from the start.

The post All Inter Players Barring Manchester United Owned Alexis Sanchez Now Out Of Quarantine appeared first on Sempreinter.

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Damiano Tommasi, the president of the Italian player’s association (AIC), has slammed the Italian government’s recent decision in relation to the resumption of training and possible resumption of the season.

“It makes no sense. I’m not talking about the resumption of the season hanging on many unknowns but about the possibility for players to train individually in structures where they are controlled,” the former Roma midfielder explained in an interview with Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in today’s print edition.

“We are talking about the health of the athletes and this decision risks aggravating things. As far as footballers are concerned, they must get back to top condition after this obligatory stop as it is necessary to avoid injuries.”

He was then asked what the AIC’s stance is when it comes to the possibility of the season resuming and what would happen if another player tested positive following the restart.

“The positivity of a footballer is a central theme. Will he stop? Will he be isolated? Will tests be carried out on others and play continues? The protocol that has been prepared included a series of cases, but it seems that it presents critical issues and needs to be reviewed. In any case, everything must be very clear.”

Next he was asked about salary cuts.

“As regards to the salary cuts, many clubs have reached agreements with the players. Here At AIC, we are more concerned about the leagues below Serie A, because salaries are completely different.”

Tommasi was then asked about the ongoing issue relating to expiring contracts and loan deals which are due to come to an end on June 30.

“The extension of loans and contracts has not yet been addressed. FIFA need to authorise things and then an agreement between the club and player needs to be reached.

“In theory a club may not want to employ a player whose contract is expiring or a player with an expiring deal wants to move to another club and may already have a deal in place with another club. A universal rule is needed but it needs worked on.”

In conclusion he was asked if it is necessary for what would happen in the event that the season would have to come to a stop again to be established prior to it possibly resuming.

“This is fundamental. The rules must be decided first by establishing how the season would end.”

The post Italian PFA President Tommasi: “The Government’s Decision Regarding Training Makes No Sense” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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