retired_jenny1970

nice to see john back, glad its going well at inter. and please keep up the good writing

retired_nadiya

Absalutely Fantastic stuff Tanel!!!! I feel part of the story now after I reminded you what you had said when he was banging in goals!

I thought you had maybe forgot or did not think o'flynn could do it! he is a legend and a goalscorer is a agoalscorer especially if you know how to get the best out of him!

I think him and adriano up front could be lethal!! Or o'flynn from the bench when you can get away with it or your chasing a goal! Keep it up great stuff!!

retired_puly1364

Thank you very much both of you. Though O'Flynn will never be first teamer in Inter. He's 5th choice striker, who I'll put in bench fagainist weak teams in Serie A and play in Coppa Italia. He could be something bigger, if he hadn't...

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Inter | | 19 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 11 | +43 | 55 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Milan | | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 43 | 8 | +35 | 48 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Lazio | | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 13 | +23 | 39 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Juventus | | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 28 | 15 | +13 | 38 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Parma | | 19 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 36 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Roma | | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 26 | +7 | 34 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Sampdoria | | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 25 | 14 | +11 | 32 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Palermo | | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 25 | +2 | 25 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Cesena | | 19 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 24 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Atalanta | | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 22 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Bologna | | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 22 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Torino | | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 34 | -10 | 22 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Reggina | | 19 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 31 | -8 | 21 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Chievo | | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 21 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Lecce | | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 19 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Brescia | | 19 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 36 | -18 | 16 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Livorno | | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 14 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Catania | | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 25 | 36 | -11 | 14 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Cagliari | | 19 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 39 | -24 | 11 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Udinese | | 19 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 33 | -20 | 8 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

9th of January 2013

Weeks were busy and we started off our second half of the season with a game againist Lazio. It was set to be a though job since they were sitting 3rd in the table and were in great form lately. And as people know, it's never easy to play in Rome. Espescially when you have Arjen Robben out.

Italian Serie A, Week 20
Lazio 0:2 Inter(24., 59. Adriano)

Same guy, different week. Adriano did it again as Inter beated Lazio with a great performance! Gianluca Curci had a tough job in goal as Roma's player bombed a lot, but we didn't let them into box much. Inter fans have said that Inter will win the title the moment they win Lazio. We did it twice this year, the curse should be broken!

13th of January 2013

Just 4 days after the Lazio game, we were welcomed by 70 000 fans in Giuseppe Meazza as we prepared to face off Livorno. Arjen Robben was finally back for bench, though I didn't pick him for match squad or bench. Instead I started Carmelo Carioti who finally started off with hot performances.

Italian Serie A, Week 21
Inter 1:1 Livorno (56. Adriano)

So we lost points, though we still rised the gap between us and Milan as they lost against Roma. Adriano did good with the goal, though Pazzini sucked very much upfront as it was probably his worst performance of the season. He couldn't give his assists or make proper shots at goal. And in the end we drawed thanks to a penalty conceeded in 5 minutes.

16th of January 2013

I was comfortable before home tie againist fellow-Juve haters Torino. Robben made it to the bench, while I picked up the strongest possible First team and bench to avoid any possible upsets.

Italian Serie A, Week 22
Inter 3:1 Torino (28., 31., 69. Adriano)

Brilliance of that player got us a victory once again and it made it 35 goals in this one season for him! 24th in Serie A. Every game we play title looks more real and real as it's impossible that this team would **** that lead up.

19th of January 2013

We played our last Serie A match before the Coppa Italia match vs. Cesena. We travelled to Genova in hope to pick up 3 points againist high-flying Sampdoria who were sitting seventh in table and very close to the next few places. Robben started.

Italian Serie A, Week 23
Sampdoria 1:3 Inter (26. Adriano, 34. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 40. Leo Messi)

Robben presence was felt as our attack simply ripped apart their defence from center & wings. I was so happy to see Pazzini score and even more happy to see Messi back on scoresheet since I was getting angry with his displays this season. He makes decent performances, but never shines like I wanted him to do and misses loads of chances. Couldn't even score 2 penalties. Though Adriano is different thing.

retired_GregAlario

This is fantastic stuff Tanel.
I read the whole thing last night and this morning, and I enjoyed every second of it. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more glory for the world's greatest Estonian manager.

retired_puly1364

Thank you very much Falcon21. I hope you keep on reading and I'm wondering has the return of John O'Flynn added to popularity of this story... I certainly try to keep it fresh and bring in some more things in future.

23th of January 2013

We started off Coppa Italia quarterfinals adventure with away game in Cesena. I started off half of my bench guys and John O'Flynn was one of them. Robben was injuried for 2 weeks once again.

Coppa Italia Quarterfinals, Leg 1
Cesena 0:2 Inter (39. pen. Adriano, 90. Gianpaolo Pazzini)

Pazzinis late goal secured our place in semifinals pretty much, while John O'Flynn eaned a penalty which Adriano scored from. Later on he wasted a nice chance. Anyway we did really good and I was happy.

27th of January 2013

Between two quarterfinal games, we had a Serie A game againist Udinese, who were joke of Serie A this season as they haven't one a single game up to that point. Win was a must in this game, even without Arjen Robben.

Italian Serie A, Week 24
Inter 4:1 Udinese (1., 6., 18. Adriano, 85. Emanuele La Rocca)

Another great victory for the Nerazzurri as Emanuele La Rocca scored his first ever Inter goal. Though this was outshined by yet another Adriano hattrick as Inter is 10 points clear in Serie A table. We played great and conceeded in 90th minute thanks to another stupid mistake by defence.

31st of January 2013

We wanted to finish off the job we had done in first leg of Coppa Italia quarterfinals as we prepared to crash Cesena in Giuseppe Meazza with Adriano getting he's well-deserved rest. Robben returned to the bench once again, but just in case we could get into troubles.

Coppa Italia Quarterfinals, Leg 2
Inter 3:2 Cesena (25. Rej Volpato, 32. Carlos Mango, 77. Carmelo Carioti)

Like it is in Coppa Italia, very rare goalscorers, but who cares, we advanced and did good overall. Though that 2 goals we conceeded were stupid. I'm very happy at Carmelo Carioti's goal since he was really doing well with his duties in games without Robben and was 2x better than in first matches in start of the season. Our semifinal opponent will be in Roma.

3rd of February 2013

We welcomed Brescia in Giuseppe Meazze before the legendary Italian game againist Portugal, were we have 9 our players called up. Including Carlos Mango who got Italian passport and was completely ignored by Brazilan manager despite he's great performances for Inter. Now he will become Italian international. With him there are Pazzini, Volpato, Pelle, Luddi, De Rossi, Curci, Russo & De Silvestri (We got him from Sampdoria in winter as we made bigger bid in blind auction. He's defender who can play in right and left. Very good talent, costed us 2 millions) called up.

Italian Serie A, Week 25
Inter 4:2 Brescia (9., 20., 81., 86. Adriano)

Some guys set records and Adriano is doing this in this amazing season. Yet another magical match for him. Though he's saving our asses we need to change this situation. We're conceeding lots of goals lately. It's a bit of a mystery since opponents have basically 2-3 chances per game and score from screw-up of our defence or GK's. I've tried to fix that problem by rotating defenders, but this didn't work.

retired_puly1364

9th of February 2013

Bad thing happened with the international match. While 6 of my players played for Italian NT, Pazzini got a very bad injury and he broke his arm, which means he's out for more than a month. Otherwise I was pretty much injury free, except few minor ones. I prepared to face Bologna away from San Siro.

Italian Serie A, Week 26
Bologna 2:5 Inter (2. Arjen Robben, 4. Obafemi Martins, 15., 39., 80. Adriano)

Yet another match we decided with three quick goals. Adriano was once again brilliant and so was Robben who returned to his pre-injury period quality. Adri now is very close to reaching 40 goals in league.

14th of February 2013

European campaign started once again in middle of February with first knockout stage of UEFA Cup kicking off. We were facing French outfit Bastia in the match and in our favour, the first leg was played away. Pazzini was out, right-back Carmelo Carioti wasn't listed for UEFA.

UEFA Cup First Knockout Stage, Leg 1
Bastia 0:0 Inter

We played a nice match and finally holded a clean-sheet. Their goalkeeper managed to do that too. He saved loads of shots and was voted MoM in the end. In bad news, Adriano got injuried and two other players survived a very small knock.

17th of February 2013

Without Adriano & Pazzini I had very serious attacking problems to solve. Finally I couldn't ignore my Italian young star Graziano Pelle who was crying for first team football for a long time. He was partnered with O. Martins in tough away match againist Atalanta.

Italian Serie A, Week 27
Atalanta 1:4 Inter (34. Obafemi Martins, 36. Carl Medjani, 40., 79. Graziano Pelle)

Another match that was decided before the half-time whistle. Pelle did wonderful job and gave me a huge sign. Whole team was good, but yet we managed to conceed. Man of the match was Arjen Robben, who did a brilliant job in right wing.

21st of February 2013

I wanted to finish the job in UEFA Cup as Giuseppe Meazza had 70 000 people on it to watch our game againist Bastia. Adriano returned and I risked to put him playing. Though him getting injuried again wasn't the thing I wanted.

UEFA Cup First Knockout Round, Leg 2
Inter 3:0 Bastia (15., 51. Adriano, 19. Daniele De Rossi)

Adriano was back and didn't get injuried. We played great and deserved our win and clean-sheet 100%. Pelle had another great match and he earned him a 3rd consecutive first team start with this. In next round we'll meet Boavista.

From Gazzetta.it

retired_puly1364

24th of February 2013

Just after European game, we had a tie againist Chievo at home waiting for us. They already gave us some trouble in their home as we had to win the game from 0:1 down earlier this season. Gianpaolo was still out.

Italian Serie A, Week 28
Inter 3:0 Chievo (7., 35. Adriano, 45. Graziano Pelle)

Again the game was ended in first half and we finally made a Serie A clean-sheet. Pelle made another performance that even more justified his call for first team football. As the result says we owned the game and were unlucky not to score in the second one.

3rd of March 2013

Another month started off againist Cagliari. I had a nice and much needed rest time as we didn't have to play for a week while busy before Cagliari was more than tight. Pazzini was still out, joined by Daniele De Rossi on card ban. Also Leo Messi & Leandro Gioda were tired, so Rey Volpato and Carl Medjani took their places.

Italian Serie A, Week 29
Cagliari 0:4 Inter (2. Adriano, 30. Graziano Pelle, 32. Rey Volpato, 40. Carlos Mango)

Another great victory and our defence is finally getting it. In the end it's Medjani - La Rocca who are rocking the house. Anyway, we would've beat the hell out of them if I would've made some more clever moves in the second half. Anyway, 4:0 is a big victory anyway. Rey Volpato did brilliant and so did Pelle again. Robben ruled the game though.

7th of March 2013

After one week without European football, it returned on sunny March Thursday as we prepared to face Portugese outfit Boavista in UEFA Cup. We already beated Braga in groupstages and hoped for the same feet in our way towards final. Robben was out with a slight injury and so was Pazzini.

Uefa Cup 2nd Knockout Stage, Leg 1
Inter 3:0 Boavista (3. Adriano, 9. Graziano Pelle, 21. Daniele De Rossi)

It took less than 10 minutes to make sure our place in quarterfinals. Scorers very normal comparing to our previous games. Since getting chances to shine, Pelle has scored 5 goals in same amout of games. We played great and defence is improving a lot after we had our 4th consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

10th of March 2013

We were pretty much all together for a very tough game againist Roma. Except Pazzini who is set to return in next week, all players were fit for that tricky home tie againist capital underachievers. They scored againist us in Olimpico and they've got a great striking force and our defence really had to be on their toes to keep it 0.

Italian Serie A, Week 30
Inter 1:1 Roma (50. Adriano)

We conceeded a stupid goal just few minutes after Adriano's strike and I take the blame for the draw since it was mine bad tactical decisions and late subs that lost us the 2 points. Luckily Milan had the same result and the gap between us is still 12 points in our favour. About Roma, their goalkeeper was great also and defence cutted down Graziano Pelle completely.

retired_puly1364

14th of March 2013

I wanted to secure my place in UEFA Cup quarters with getting my second victory againist Portugese outfit Boavista. I rested some players as I had a tough game ahead in the weekend.

UEFA Cup 2nd Knockout Stage, Leg 2
Boavista 0:2 Inter (45. Adriano, 84. Obafemi Martins)

We got our result and went through to the next round with confidence boosting 5:0 overall victory. We we're owning the game and they were lucky not to get more embarassed. In next round we'll meet Manchester United. Our first big oppponent in the tournament.

16th of March 2013

Just 2 days after the Portugal trip we had to face Juventus at home, who were the first one's to get points againist me in the league. To win was a matter of pride for me as Inter fan. Even when we'd be champions already. In good news, Daniele De Rossi returned to the squad after a slight injury that left him out of the Boavista game and Pazzini was in bench just in case the situation would go bad.

Italian Serie A, Week 31
Inter 3:2 Juventus (21., 45. Adriano, 75. Leo Messi)

Leo Messi and Adriano were giants in this game. Juventus was much worse comparing to Inter than the scoreline says and possession was Inter's for a big margin and so were the chances, but Buffon was right man between the posts usually. We let them play a bit in the second half and there they got their goals.

20th of March 2013

If I wanted a treble, I had to win the Coppa Italia also and to win the Mickey Mouse cup, I had to beat Roma on my way to the finals. I wanted to secure the game in home just like I've done many times. I picked the strongest line-up, including Gianpaolo Pazzini in it.

Coppa Italia Semifinals, Leg 1
Inter 3:0 Roma (39., 51., 73 Gianpaolo Pazzini)

Pazzini celebrated his come-back with brilliant display. He earned his first man of the match award in Inter and looked like Adriano. We overally were also 3x, if not more, better and road to finals is pretty much all-clear. Just have to do professional job in second leg in Rome and I can prepare for the match againist other finalist.

28th of March 2013

We had a 8 day much-needed rest as international football returned. We only had 5 players called up so we didn't have to face much problems with tiredness, though, Pazzini got injuried once again and so did centre-back Carl Medjani. Both are out for couple of weeks. Anyway, going to the game on that thursday, we had to met English guys from Manchester United at home.

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 1
Inter 4:3 Manchester United (2. Martins, 32. Leo Messi, 68. Adriano, 80. Obafemi Martins)

2 midfielders and 2 strikers got themselves on scoresheet as our defence made a mediocore game. They conceeded few big mistakes and now we have it all to do in second leg as ManU has lots of away goals. We deserved much bigger win with our display.

retired_puly1364

4th of April 2013

I immediately had the second leg of ManU ahead of me and I was very excited as that scoreline in San Siro made this game very open. ManU had to attack and we who missed lot of key players had to make sure they're attempts would fail. Adriano, Leandro Gioda, Leo Messi were out on international duties, while Carl Medjani & Pazzini were still injuried.

Uefa Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 2
Manchester United 1:2 Inter (79., 90. Loic Poujol)

A guy who is moving to Aston Villa in summer for 11 millions gave us a nice present as we got through to the next round with a great 6:4 aggregate win to even more secure our high place in anarchy of European football. It was chancewise 50/50 game, but thanks to the fact that I had to play a 3-man defence since I only had 1 centre-back available. In next round, we have to face off the challenge of Real Madrid.

7th of April 2013

Another derby was ahead of us. This time it wasn't as big as the start of the season derby, since we had already pretty much secured the title now. International guys returned while Pazzini & Medjani continued their break from football. I decided to give Poujol a chance to start thanks to his nice display againist ManU.

Italian Serie A, Week 32
Milan 1:1 Inter (74. Arjen Robben)

We played a great match and only one Milan player was better than us. Ofcourse it was GK Sebastien Frey. In the end it was Robben who came for the rescue, and minutes later he provided Leo Messi with a great pass, but Argentine managed to lose the ball and couldn't hit to the empty net. Anyway this result pretty much secured that we will finish the season without a single league loss.

10th of April 2013

Weeks are busy and I have to play a game in every third or fourth day usually and next up was the mission "secure the place in Mickey Mouse Cup final". I decided to use my first team line-up with few guys getting a place in bench.

Coppa Italia Semifinal, Leg 2
Roma 0:2 Inter (8. pen. Adriano, 43. Rej Volpato)

Very nice victory and we got through to the finals where we'll meet Lazio. Roma looked good in what they did, but nothing special when compared to us. They could've scored a goal or two, but no-one forced them to sell Curci in summer.

14th of April 2013

Before the Real games we had a though test ahead of us as we met Parma who didn't really impress last time when we played with them. As a reminder, we won the match in Ennio Tardini 6:1. The line-up was pretty much same, except that Pazzini was missing this time.

Italian Serie A, Week 33
Inter 6:2 Parma (2. pen., 6., 26. Adriano, 13., 59. Obafemi Martins, 66. Arjen Robben)

Great victory. 2 Serie A games againist Parma and overall result would be 12:3. Not bad. Considering that they are sitting 5th in the table. Adriano made a huge step towards the 50 goal mark in the league, but so did Inter towards the title. We now only need one win to get our hands on Scudetto.

retired_puly1364

18th of April 2013

Right after destroying Parma, we had a though job ahead of us in UEFA Cup. We had to meet Spanish underachievers Real Madrid, who were sitting 11th in the league. Still they posed a great danger and I had to be worried.

UEFA Cup Semifinals, Leg 1
Inter 2:0 Real Madrid (62. Adriano, 85. Obafemi Martins)

2 goals in second half made sure our Europe conquering will 90% continue. Real looked really bad only one who saved their as*es was central defender Nik Besagno with his sick tackles. But we got our deserved goals in second half and I don't see RM making big troubles to us in Bernabeu either.

21st of April 2013

It was the big day. The curse was waiting for breaking and a win againist Reggina would have ended nearly 25 years of pain and suffer. Lots of travelling fans came with us to see us winning in Reggio Calabria. For the big day, even Pazzini returned to the starting line-up.

Italian Serie A, Week 34
Reggina 0:2 Inter (16. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 80. Dejan Stankovic)

From Gazzetta.it