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Phalanx Prophecy: Mourinho Mopes
Mourinho admitted a team is better than his? Quick, check the thermostat in Hell. Zac Lee Rigg previews the Serie A weekend.
Nov 27, 2009 9:57:58 AM
By Zac Lee Rigg
"But what can I say? We are far behind in terms of individual quality; they play better. The team struggled under Barcelona's pressure."
The residents of Hell, Mich. will see snow and ice if they happen to glance out the window this holiday weekend. Not only because Michigan is a cold barren wasteland, frigidly oppressive enough to force PP off its tundra shores in search of warmer climates, but also because Jose Mourinho admitted (to Sky) that a team is better than his.
Go ahead, mark it in your diary if you'd like.
Even a flagrantly offensive and witty quote machine like Mourinho had little choice. His Inter side practically crawled off the pitch, tail between its hind legs, after the lesson in flowing soccer that Barcelona handed it. It was embarrassing.
Mourinho highlighted one key gulf between the clubs: individual talent. Inter never look particularly dangerous in attack when Wesley Sneijder sits out due to injury (which he has done all too frequently this year) and the options left over didn't hold enough collective talent.
But two more issues will, or should, bug the Portuguese tactician as he prepares for Fiorentina's visit Sunday.
Firstly, his side looked static and lumbering next to the buzzing Catalan hummingbirds. As Barca players swished and swirled and splashed from side to side in attack, Inter's stiff zonal midfield formation couldn't keep pace. Whenever Inter did carve out some time on the ball, the swarms of opposition players high in Inter's half prevented the Italians from making any inroads. Man for man, the Serpenti boast a larger, more physically imposing side. Pep Guardiola used that to his advantage, exploiting his smaller side's agility and acceleration. By the second half, the match was wrapped up, Inter looked exhausted, lumbering around, and Barcelona could sit back and rest ahead of El Clasico this weekend.
Secondly, referees in Europe differ from those in Italy. The Nerazurri tend to batter teams into submission. Instead of letting counterattacks begin, Inter will simply hack down players. A good example is the Roma draw three weeks ago. The official let dangerous challenges go, so Inter kept increasing in ruthlessness until Roma's players' bodies matched the black and blue jerseys of Inter.
Against Barcelona, and in Europe in general, those malicious challenges didn't go unpunished. Thiago Motta picked up a yellow early on for a challenge that would go unpunished in Serie A. (He then tried grabbing the jersey of Gerard Pique instead of marking him on the first goal and should have been sent off in the second half for kicking Daniel Alves to cap off one of the ex-Barcelona midfielder's worst ever nights). Inter got the message, stepped back, and didn't have a chance after that. Mourinho needs to come up with a plan B if the referee isn't willing to let his team bruise its way to a win.
For Serie A fans used to seeing Inter dominate any domestic club, the Barcelona game will bring mixed emotions. On the one hand, Guardiola showed that Inter does have flaws, readily exploited ones, which other clubs can attempt to press (though very few clubs can do what Barcelona did or even come close). On the other hand, seeing Italy's best team handed a lesson in the group stages serves as a reminder for just how far the league has to go. Those days in the '90s when Serie A clubs dominated the Champions League feel even farther away following Inter's loss (and disappointing results for both Juventus and AC Milan).
Until the league challenges at and above the level Inter is at right now, European glory will remain elusive.
Last week: 2/4 (50%)
For the season: 12/18 (66.6%)
Centurion – Sampdoria @ Genoa
2:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 28
Fox Soccer Channel
It's not El Clasico, but the Derby della Lanterna is as big a rivalry as any in Italy. With both Genovese clubs challenging for Europe and playing some of the most attractive ball on the continent, this one is unmissable. Sampdoria, after bursting out to a league-leading start, has faltered of late, falling among the slew of clubs looking up at the Champions League slots. Genoa is finding it difficult to compete on multiple fronts. There's no love lost between these bitter rivals and only four points separate them. Expect a doozy.
Key man: Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria) has poached eight goals in the Serie A (10 in all competitions). If anyone in this tie will put the ball in the back of the net, it's likely to be the masked marksman.
Prediction: Draw. The gap between these clubs wouldn't let sunlight through.
Optio – Fiorentina @ Inter
9:00 a.m. EST, Sunday, Nov. 29
Fox Soccer Channel
This game comes at the wrong time for Fiorentina. With the marquee Adrian Mutu and cornerstone centerback Alessandro Gamberini injured, the thin squad is stretched. Add to that a series of poor results around Champions League matches (Cesare Prandelli doesn't have the depth to give all competitions equal weight and saves his best performances for the European stage) and Stevan Jovetic's lack of fitness, this exciting Viola side likely won't live up to its top four billing in this one. Inter will hit the domestic stage fuming from the Barcelona shellacking, ready to pulverize whatever club comes up next. With Maicon suspended and Davide Santon injured, captain Javier Zanetti will slide back to his former position of rightback.
Key man: Mario Balotelli (Inter) was hauled off at halftime last week despite scoring a minute before. Granted, his performance overall probably warranted it, so the youngster (likely to get time with one of Diego Milito or Samuel Eto'o rested after failing to make an impact midweek) will have more to prove than the rest of his teammates. Wesley Sneijder's injury means Balotelli is the most creative player left in the Inter roster.
Prediction: Inter win.
Decurion – AC Milan @ Catania
2:30 p.m EST, Sunday, Nov. 29
Fox Soccer Channel
Marseille hit the post twice in the French club's 1-1 draw with Milan midweek and really deserved all three points after dominating the game in every area. Let off the hook in Europe, Leonardo will need to get his men back on track domestically. In his way stands 19th placed Catania. The side usually uses pluck to avoid relegation, but this year doesn't look too promising. Even with Andrea Pirlo suspended, this one shouldn't have much in it.
Key man: Marco Borriello (Milan) is on a tear. Four goals in the past five games have sealed his spot as the starting striker ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Pippo Inzaghi. Borriello is a master of the subtle. His style is void of flash, nor does he seem to have any outstanding attributes, but compensates with a solid all around game and some cool finishing.
Prediction: Milan win.
Legionary – Livorno @ Udinese
5:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 28
Fox Soccer Channel
For the most part, the Serie A schedule works like this: two games happen Saturday and the rest of the weekend's matchups take place Sunday. For TV viewers, that means the two matches on Saturday, regardless of quality promised within, will see air time. With midweek Champions League games for the biggest teams, somehow Livorno and Udinese sneaked onto the pixel box this Saturday. To add to that, Antonio Di Natale hasn't hit the pitch for Udine since Nov. 8. Even if he does manage to play, he won't be full fit.
Key man: Antonio Floro Flores (Udinese) bears the goal-scoring burden when Di Natale isn't around. Powerful and pacy, Floro Flores can trouble defenses if he is in the mood, as shown by his four goals this season.
Prediction: Livorno win. Udinese is stuck in a fairly uninspired rut right now and the high flying promoted club should take advantage.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
"But what can I say? We are far behind in terms of individual quality; they play better. The team struggled under Barcelona's pressure."
The residents of Hell, Mich. will see snow and ice if they happen to glance out the window this holiday weekend. Not only because Michigan is a cold barren wasteland, frigidly oppressive enough to force PP off its tundra shores in search of warmer climates, but also because Jose Mourinho admitted (to Sky) that a team is better than his.
Go ahead, mark it in your diary if you'd like.
Even a flagrantly offensive and witty quote machine like Mourinho had little choice. His Inter side practically crawled off the pitch, tail between its hind legs, after the lesson in flowing soccer that Barcelona handed it. It was embarrassing.
Mourinho highlighted one key gulf between the clubs: individual talent. Inter never look particularly dangerous in attack when Wesley Sneijder sits out due to injury (which he has done all too frequently this year) and the options left over didn't hold enough collective talent.
But two more issues will, or should, bug the Portuguese tactician as he prepares for Fiorentina's visit Sunday.
Firstly, his side looked static and lumbering next to the buzzing Catalan hummingbirds. As Barca players swished and swirled and splashed from side to side in attack, Inter's stiff zonal midfield formation couldn't keep pace. Whenever Inter did carve out some time on the ball, the swarms of opposition players high in Inter's half prevented the Italians from making any inroads. Man for man, the Serpenti boast a larger, more physically imposing side. Pep Guardiola used that to his advantage, exploiting his smaller side's agility and acceleration. By the second half, the match was wrapped up, Inter looked exhausted, lumbering around, and Barcelona could sit back and rest ahead of El Clasico this weekend.
Secondly, referees in Europe differ from those in Italy. The Nerazurri tend to batter teams into submission. Instead of letting counterattacks begin, Inter will simply hack down players. A good example is the Roma draw three weeks ago. The official let dangerous challenges go, so Inter kept increasing in ruthlessness until Roma's players' bodies matched the black and blue jerseys of Inter.
Against Barcelona, and in Europe in general, those malicious challenges didn't go unpunished. Thiago Motta picked up a yellow early on for a challenge that would go unpunished in Serie A. (He then tried grabbing the jersey of Gerard Pique instead of marking him on the first goal and should have been sent off in the second half for kicking Daniel Alves to cap off one of the ex-Barcelona midfielder's worst ever nights). Inter got the message, stepped back, and didn't have a chance after that. Mourinho needs to come up with a plan B if the referee isn't willing to let his team bruise its way to a win.
 |
Until the league challenges at and above the level Inter is at right now, European glory will remain elusive.
Last week: 2/4 (50%)
For the season: 12/18 (66.6%)
Centurion – Sampdoria @ Genoa
2:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 28
Fox Soccer Channel
It's not El Clasico, but the Derby della Lanterna is as big a rivalry as any in Italy. With both Genovese clubs challenging for Europe and playing some of the most attractive ball on the continent, this one is unmissable. Sampdoria, after bursting out to a league-leading start, has faltered of late, falling among the slew of clubs looking up at the Champions League slots. Genoa is finding it difficult to compete on multiple fronts. There's no love lost between these bitter rivals and only four points separate them. Expect a doozy.
Prediction: Draw. The gap between these clubs wouldn't let sunlight through.
Optio – Fiorentina @ Inter
9:00 a.m. EST, Sunday, Nov. 29
Fox Soccer Channel
This game comes at the wrong time for Fiorentina. With the marquee Adrian Mutu and cornerstone centerback Alessandro Gamberini injured, the thin squad is stretched. Add to that a series of poor results around Champions League matches (Cesare Prandelli doesn't have the depth to give all competitions equal weight and saves his best performances for the European stage) and Stevan Jovetic's lack of fitness, this exciting Viola side likely won't live up to its top four billing in this one. Inter will hit the domestic stage fuming from the Barcelona shellacking, ready to pulverize whatever club comes up next. With Maicon suspended and Davide Santon injured, captain Javier Zanetti will slide back to his former position of rightback.
Key man: Mario Balotelli (Inter) was hauled off at halftime last week despite scoring a minute before. Granted, his performance overall probably warranted it, so the youngster (likely to get time with one of Diego Milito or Samuel Eto'o rested after failing to make an impact midweek) will have more to prove than the rest of his teammates. Wesley Sneijder's injury means Balotelli is the most creative player left in the Inter roster.
Prediction: Inter win.
 |
2:30 p.m EST, Sunday, Nov. 29
Fox Soccer Channel
Marseille hit the post twice in the French club's 1-1 draw with Milan midweek and really deserved all three points after dominating the game in every area. Let off the hook in Europe, Leonardo will need to get his men back on track domestically. In his way stands 19th placed Catania. The side usually uses pluck to avoid relegation, but this year doesn't look too promising. Even with Andrea Pirlo suspended, this one shouldn't have much in it.
Key man: Marco Borriello (Milan) is on a tear. Four goals in the past five games have sealed his spot as the starting striker ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Pippo Inzaghi. Borriello is a master of the subtle. His style is void of flash, nor does he seem to have any outstanding attributes, but compensates with a solid all around game and some cool finishing.
Prediction: Milan win.
Legionary – Livorno @ Udinese
5:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 28
Fox Soccer Channel
For the most part, the Serie A schedule works like this: two games happen Saturday and the rest of the weekend's matchups take place Sunday. For TV viewers, that means the two matches on Saturday, regardless of quality promised within, will see air time. With midweek Champions League games for the biggest teams, somehow Livorno and Udinese sneaked onto the pixel box this Saturday. To add to that, Antonio Di Natale hasn't hit the pitch for Udine since Nov. 8. Even if he does manage to play, he won't be full fit.
 |
Prediction: Livorno win. Udinese is stuck in a fairly uninspired rut right now and the high flying promoted club should take advantage.
Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com
Keep up to date with Serie A and Italy news with Goal.com's Italy page
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