INTER, IN CESENA TO CONTINUE THE COMEBACK.
THE NERAZZURRI CAN COUNT ON A FAVORABLE CALENDAR.
RANIERI DOESN'T TRUST: "They'll give us a hard time".
Turn a sad day into a happy one. This is Inter's mission, which from today will no longer be able to claim the title of world club champion. However, the god of football will give the Nerazzurri the opportunity to redeem themselves immediately, even if it won't be easy. The match in Cesena won't be easy at all, and don't be fooled by the standings. Since Arrigoni's arrival, the Romagnoli have changed gears, as Bologna, Genoa and Palermo were able to see, sensationally beaten at Barbera last week. Ranieri knows that today's race will be anything but obvious: “They have quality, they'll race a lot, they'll give us a hard time. They won in Palermo and they are gassed, determined. It won't be easy for us, but neither will it be for them."
After the victories against Fiorentina and Genoa, the climate at Inter has improved, and things will go even better if another six points arrive between now and Christmas. The calendar says that, after Cesena, the Nerazzurri will receive Lecce bottom of the table at the San Siro. In short, quite affordable challenges, which together with the direct clashes of the competitors (today Lazio - Udinese and Naples - Rome, Wednesday Udinese - Juventus) could launch the nerazzurri in the top part of the standings. “I never trust anyone – Ranieri said yesterday – there are always unknowns and difficulties. We will have to be good at understanding where we can strike. However, it's still too early to look at the standings, we'll take stock of them at the end of the first round”.
The coach from Testacci no longer exposes himself, not as he did until a few weeks ago, and he also explains why: "I was convinced that a victory against Udinese would have been important, that it would have given us an extra boost, and instead I I was so wrong. After that knockout, we said: let's think about working, doing well. Inter gives me hope because they never give up, we are determined to bring the team back to the top."
In short, no claims but only facts. To climb the standings, a compact and gritty team will be needed, but above all a few goals from the forwards. The Nerazzurri strikers score little, and what is worse, they miss sensational goals. Despite this, however, Ranieri said he was satisfied: “They don't score so much, but I see they work a lot. It is true that Milito, due to what he creates and we create, is not finding the net, but it is also true that we are the second team to score the most players. Sure, I'm happy, but if they manage to score they'll be happy too. Forwards feel accomplished when they score goals."
Diego Forlan, already on the field for a few minutes in Genoa and also called up today, will soon be back at full capacity. Ranieri is betting a lot on the Uruguayan, but doesn't want to risk any relapse: "I don't know if he'll play from the first minute, he's forging ahead but it's better not to force it...". The same goes for Sneijder, who should return immediately after the break. Ranieri is waiting for him, and is ready to tailor the new Inter for him: “When he comes back, I'll probably change form. He is the fulcrum of the offensive game, he can't be a full back. He must be left in a central position ”.
While waiting for the Dutchman, Inter will have to score as many points as possible, and then attempt a comeback with the full squad (helped, ça va sans dire, by the January market). "Inter have won a lot in these years, but they haven't tired of it yet – concluded Ranieri – and the president Moratti is very much in love with the club". Important phrases, which for Nerazzurri fans are the best Christmas present.
