Tanel

Authors Note - One of the latest updates where I reached new year has a wrong year number in dates since 1st January.

23rd of February 2014

I faced off a tough test to Catania as they had very talented players in the squad and unlike some other "weaker" teams, they had decent consistent performances. I was espescially aware of their attacking guys.

Italian Serie A, Week 28
Catania 0:3 Inter (12., 42. Adriano, 37. Arjen Robben)

Adriano is getting closer and closer to beating Serie A's goalscoring records which he set himself last season and with 10 games remaining, he has to score around 2 goals in 3 matches to beat his record. This will probably be his last star season though since Brazilian fenomen is already 32 years old and Inter has strikers kocking at first team door. But one thing is certain, Adriano will play until he can keep on finding net.

1st of February 2014

Robin Berger's Cork City In February

2nd of March 2014

It was derby time again. After magical welcome by the fans when our reached Giuseppe Meazza, we were ready to kick Milan's azz. I stopped and most of the guys stopped and gave some authographs. I had to be aware of Rennes game coming up in couple days time also, but I still picked my best squad with one exception. Left winger Martins got injuried and Erminio Rullo took his place after amazing display againist Catania where he was voted man of the match after he came off the bench for Martins few minutes into the game. But proudest moment for me to see a huge flag in the Curva Nord. "Inter Estonia" it said, right there with Boys San. As this was home derby, we could sang Pazza Inter again, so another extra motivation for a team with lots of guys who are fond of/love Inter.

Italian Serie A, Week 29
Inter 4:0 Milan (1. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 81. Adriano, 83. og. Mickael Roux, 86. Graziano Pelle)

Great intro, big grand final - this what this team was for all Inter fans. Goal of the match was surely the first goal, where Pazzini scored another one of his goal of the year canditates in just 30 seconds into the game. Though, Mickael Roux's own goal wasn't much worse as he ended up in the goal net with the ball after Robben's cross found him. This game secured our place in CL for next season already as we are world ahead of other teams in league again.

4th of March 2014

So Giuseppe Meazza was almost backed up for an Champions League 1/8 finals as Inter continued it's road towards 3rd ever CL title. Rullo got another match in first team as Martins wasn't fit yet. With 3 of our strikers scoring in last match, I was sure scoring wouldn't be a problem, unless Isaksson in opponents goal would produce an amazing performance.

Champions League First Knockout Stage, Leg 2
Inter 2:0 Rennes (90. Arjen Robben, 90. Graziano Pelle)

Inter played a great match overall and defence that had Emanule La Rocca playing suprisingly made an amazing masterpiece of a game, that got yet another grand finale with Robben and Pelle securing our place in quarterfinals in stoppage time. Though 0:0 draw would've taken us through also. Now we just have to sit and see who will we get in next round. It surely won't be another Italian team, since Lazio and Milan got kicked out of CL by Dutch clubs Ajax and Feyenoord. Unfortunately, another Dutch club, Willem II couldn't use it's first leg win againist Chelsea to progress and lost 3:1 on aggregate.

Tanel

7th of March 2014

We will had one of the toughest possible opponents in next round - Barcelona with Fred in attack and ex-Inter player Cambiasso in midfield.

9th of March 2014

We had a chance to put one of the final nails to the coffin of our title rivals Lazio as we met face to face in Olimpico. They were only team who had slightest of chances of finishing ahead of me.

Italian Serie A, Week 30
Lazio 3:4 Inter (15. Adriano, 54. Daniele De Rossi, 76. Graziano Pelle, 90. Arjen Robben)

It was offically Inter's most dramatic games of the season. It seemed like it's heading for our win as Inter was 3:2 ahead till extra-time, but then, Lazio draws. When I was already at my usual frustration, next attack made me jump to heaven as Robben made another one of his amazing idividual efforts to make up for his loads of injuries and Inter is now just a corner away from title.

15th of March 2014

With Roma winning againist Lazio I could take a vital step towards Scudetto with winning againist Juventus at home. Though, the situation wasn't easy with Gianluca Curci and Adriano injuried.

Italian Serie A, Week 31
Inter 2:0 Juventus (50. Graziano Pelle, 83. Gianpaolo Pazzini)

Juve gave us a very tough time in the second half eventhough we won the game there. Danilo Russo had it all to do in goal and saved us million times in his rare first team chance.

23rd of March 2014

Inter needed a win from the match with Cagliari to secure 15th Scudetto. Adriano was back, but Russo started as GK and Curci was left on bench after Russo's amazing performance againist Juventus. Win was 95% sure even before the match againist 20th placed Cagliari.

Italian Serie A, Week 32
Cagliari 2:4 Inter (25., 29. Adriano, 39., 47. Gianpaolo Pazzini)

Our two goalscorers did their job again in that match and Inter won it's 2nd consecutive Scudetto. Pazzini's second goal was his 50th goal in two seasons with Inter and it's very possible that he and Adriano will end the season as Serie A's 2 top scorers. Though, Adriano's number will go somewhere in the middle of the 50's and Pazzinis to somewhere around 30, depends on will I play my young strikers or not. About Cagliari's goals, they were from the same striker, from same place and looked exactly the same. Brilliant curling shot outside of the area twice.

26th of March 2014

It was the big day for Inter. We had a chance to meet one of Europeans big teams Barcelona at Nou Camp and we hoped to take a huge step towards semifinals by winning or drawing the game. Curci got back his starting place, though thanks to Nik Besagno being inable to play in CL games for us, I had lots of troubles with defence as Emanuele La Rocca hadn't really impressed this season.

Champions League Quarterfinals, Leg 1
Barcelona 4:5 Inter (7., 48., 85. Adriano, 10. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 90. Jacopo Ricci)

If that would've been the final, it would've probably been one of the most legendary ones. Great game in front of nearly 100 000 people as two defence's did 0 defending and attacking unit's showed brilliant attacking. The goal was late and came from subsitution Jacopo Ricci, an Inter youth-academy product and childhood Interista and god how he celebrated his great counter-attack goal. It was his third, but possibily the most important, goal of the season if we get to the next round.

Tanel

30th of March 2014

I picked a weakened squad for our Week 32 game againist Empoli. I did play some of the first teamers, but mostly I used my second choices/youngsters. Pazzini, Messi, Martins, Gioda, Afougou, De Rossi all were on bench as Moretti, Volpato, Rullo, Besagno, Salvati and Fiore took over. Though, I did play Adriano as I want him to beat Serie A's scoring record he set last year.

Italian Serie A, Week 33
Inter 2:0 Empoli (2. Adriano, 4. Federico Moretti)

Nice start, but I was unhappy that we missed so many chances during the game and also gave a lot away. Though, Adriano scored his 51st league goal and he's now 3 goals away from beating last year's 53, but Pazzini has a hot competition with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Serie A's 2nd place in goalscorers, but I believe I won't give him much playing time in Serie A anymore this season with Saar, Momente, Ricci and Moretti all wanting some chances, though Pelle won't get any chances since he's injuried till the end of the season probably.

1st of April 2014

Cork City In March

2nd of April 2014

It was the big day with Barcelona as full house Giuseppe Meazza was perparing to see a grand finale to one of competitions best ever quartefinal between Inter and Barcelona. I hoped to build on that 5:4 away win, but it was going to be hard. I opted for more attacking line-up picking Pasquale Fiore ahead of Daniele De Rossi to add a better eye for pass into the pitch. Otherwise, the line-up looked like that - Gianluca Curci; Kevin Afougou, Leandro Gioda, Emanuele La Rocca, Marco Luddi; Arjen Robben, Pasquale Fiore, Leo Messi, Martins; Gianpaolo Pazzini, Adriano

Champions League Quartefinals, Leg 2
Inter 3:3 Barcelona (7., 16. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 72. Leo Messi)

It was certainly one of the biggest shows of the whole CL season. Probably even bigger than final. It wasn't about who conceeds less goals, it was aobut who scores the most and Inter came out on top in great show of attacking football followed by strings of congratulations to both of the teams for giving such a display of attacking football. And in the end it was great Leo Messi strike that decided his former clubs faith.

Though some bad news about someone certains yet another injury came out - Arjen Robben will be out till the end of the season and even if we get to CL final, he won't be there. Dutchman got a two-month injury that also puts his WC place in Dutch squad at risk. But that also means that Inter will play with very very young Matteo Salvati in defence right-wing for the rest of the season as Kevin Afougou will be pushed up.

Tanel

4th of April 2014

Inter got the toughest opponent out of 3 possible (Feyenoord, Arsenal, Bayern) and will meet Germans Bayern in semifinal. First leg will be played at Giuseppe Meazza.

5th of April 2014

I picked my second team squad for an away game with Brescia. Several youngsters started, including goalkeeper Angelo Piccolo, Matteo Salvati and Mirko Russo. Though, the middle one is a regular in Inter lately as thanks to Robben's injury, we've got only 2 right sided players worthy of first team football. Though, one of the first teamers starting was Adriano ofcourse.

Italian Serie A, Week 34
Brescia 1:2 Inter (14., 32. Adriano)

All the goals were scored in first half as Inter's second team holded on for the most of the match and earned us our 95th point of the season. The most impressing guy was Piccolo, who made strings of great saves late in the match when Brescia was pressing hard.

13th of April 2014

Adriano, who's now on level with his last years Serie A scoring count, was resting in home match againist Lecce. Piccolo got his 2nd consecutive start and so did Salvati. Russo started on bench.

Italian Serie A, Week 35
Inter 0:1 Lecce

Fabrizio Miccoli's Lecce is hardest opponent Inter has standed againist in whole season. 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses as they ended our long going unbeatten run. My second team just can't do the job againist them somehow though it doesen't matter much anymore with title secured.

16th of April 2014

I was ready for Bayern match and my usual line-up was back in action in front of 85 000 people in Giuseppe Meazza. I was mostly afraid of Javier Mascherano who gave me loads of troubles in Supercup, but the repeat of quarterfinals was hard to hope from Bayern's a bit defensive style.

Champions League Semifinals, Leg 1
Inter 1:0 Bayern (71. Leo Messi)

Leo Messi's performances this season have been awesome comparing to last season, where he was mediocore and it was his great shot that made the difference again. It was his 11th goal and add 16 assists to it and you get quite impressing playmaker. Though, we were very lucky to have Gianluca Curci in our team as few minutes after our goal, he saved Bayern's penalty that gives us more hope ahead of away tie which is going to be a thriller probably. Though, one guy who dissappointed me was Adriano as he was completely hopeless in this game. But going on positive notes, my defence was brilliant againist top team even with Emanuele La Rocca in center. Also worth mentioning is young Matteo Salvati's amazing defensive performance as he kept on making great tackles and passes. His wing was completely under our control.

17th of April 2014

Robin Berger: "Hi, Maria. Where's Tanel? I need him quick!"
Maria: "He's not in home."
Robin: "I thought he is in home as his cellphone doesen't answer and he usually turns it our in home. You've got any aim where he could be?"
Maria: "Not sure. Maybe with some player or on training ground. Why so hurry?"
Robin: "He'll explain, if he's alive yet. I try reach him from the training ground."
Maria: "Alive? What?"
Robin: "Sorry, I don't have time to explain!"

Tanel

17th of April 2014

Robin: "Hi. Is it Giancarlo?"
Giancarlo Lugano: "Yes, it is me. Hi Robin!"
Robin: "Well, you know is Tanel on training ground?"
Giancarlo: "Yes he is. Want me to get him?"
Robin: "Yes, it's urgent."
Giancarlo: "Ok, I'll run."

...

Tanel: "Hi, Robin!"
Robin: "Hi. Hi."
Tanel: "Where are you?"
Robin: "I'm on my way to Italy."
Tanel: "Why to Italy? Cork has a game coming up in 2 days time!?"
Robin: "That league game isn't as important as why I'm coming to Italy."
Tanel: "What's so important then?"
Robin: "You've got a computer with internet near you?"
Tanel: "Yes I do."
Robin: "Well, you still know Dutch right?"
Tanel: "I do."
Robin: "Go to any of the Dutch big newssites. Or Voetbal.nl."
Tanel: "I'll go to Voetbal.nl"
Robin: "What you'll see."
Tanel: "Wait, it's loading... "Former Ajax chairman escapes from prison"."
Robin: "Yes, Jaake escaped with bunch of guys and he's coming after you."
Tanel: "Oh my dear lord... When did they escape?"
Robin: "Last night."
Tanel: "They can't be hear yet then."
Robin: "I doubt, but you better hide yourself."
Tanel: "I can't."
Robin: "Life or champions league?"
Tanel: "They can find me even when I'm hiding."
Robin: "Atleast hire some security man! I tell you more when I get into Italy at night."

I was shocked, I thought this old thing got it's finish with Jaake going to jail, but no, he's back for a revenge. I immediately asked Maria and my little son to go to Estonia after Robin had explained me all of it later. It was time go through some old connections I had in Holland to get some information. Firstly I called Jan Vullings at Willem II and he knew more than enough for me. He said that Jaake and his little gang will reach Italy tomorrow and they stay in the Alps for unknown time and in unknown place, they've already crossed the Dutch border and most probably time to attack is Sunday after my game againist Reggina. I thanked him for the information from his source, who has a phone-conversation between Jaake and his son.

20th of April 2014

Maria had left to Estonia, so it was me and my securities in home as Robin went back to Ireland. I was prepared for everything ahead of the Reggina game, where I played my youngsters and couple of first teamers ahead of the second leg tie with Bayern.

Italian Serie A, Week 36
Reggina 3:2 Inter (64., 70. Adriano)

Only positive thing to mark down was Adriano beating his goalscoring record of last season and on Sunday, he got his 55th league goal of the season and that will probably be his last. Though, on funny fact, Reggina is the second team who've we failed to match this season as our previous encouter ended with 2:2. So just 1 point againist them.

I took my car and drove to my home in lake Como with 2 security cars infront and behind of me. The situation was heartbreaking and when I turned towards uncrowded road, then bang, someone shot the first car. We crashed into it and securities ran out of the 2nd car. I was dizzy and got dragged into the second car. But it wasn't home where we were driving to...

Tanel

18th of April 2014

I woke up in some strange looking house in middle of valley between two big mountains. I didn't know where I am exactly, because I could only see it from a small window. Time passed on, and some big guy came into the room and gave me a food. Quite hostile. I had no idea what they were doing to me, but eventhough, I hoped the food had no poison it so I took the two small pieces of pizza and ate them. After I had eatten, I decided to check is the door open, but it was locked and the security guard watching it shouted me to "****ing sit down".

Minutes looked hours and soon I heard the doors. Some guy shouted: "Okay, let him out!" So I stepped out and who did I saw? Ofcourse it was John C. Jaake, former Ajax chairman, who almost made me quit Willem II in summer 2010.

"Hi, dog...."
- "Should I remind you, Tanel, that at the moment, you are the dog and I am the mad owner..."
"Are you sure?"
- "You still have your arrogance, huh?"
"I don't. I've got dignity."
- "Well, it doesen't take you anywhere."
"Well, I don't want to go to the unknown place called anywhere. Let me guess, it's jail?"
- "No."
"Oh, well, I'm curious. Where is tha 'anywhere'"
- "That's none of your business."
"Okay, so you don't know. By the way, how was jail?"
- "It is good. If you've got necessary connections. By the way, how are your wife and son in Estonia."
"What did you do to them!?"
- "Nothing. I don't care about them. Though, I wouldn't mind leaving them husbandless and fatherless."
"Man, don't talk too big. You've got no way out... You know that?"
- "I'm ready for everything. Espescially killing your son if you keep being arrogant. I know where they are and I've got connections there also."
"Okay, okay... What do you want anyway? It's obvious that you don't want to kill me, because otherwise you would've done it a long time ago..."
- "Man, you're the smartest manager in the game. No doubt about that. Though you didn't have your brains if you didn't join Ajax. Then you'd have no troubles at the moment."
"I had a contract with Willem II for a long time. I made promise, I promised to win them a league title!"
- "Well, screw the promises. You aren't always kept your word? Haven't you?"
"No."
- "You see..."
"What's the difference anyway? Ajax is in top of the Dutch league anyway!"
- "This season, yes... But those years of Willem II and now Feyenoord costed Ajax 3 titles. That's a lot of money you know?"
"Well, it's not my mistake that you sucked."
- "Hold your mouth, man! And what more is the difference? I went to jail, went crazy and now i'm on life sentence!"
"Wasn't it easier just to talk with me like a real negotiation goes. You seriously thing I could've felt comfortable managing there knowing the board threatened me summer ago..."
- "I don't care. This is past."
"When this is past, why don't you forget about it all, let me go and worry about your own ass."
- "Hell no! Now I'm gonna take my phone..."
"For what?"
- "So you can talk with somebody."

Tanel

Message to all forums where I'm posting this story. I want some more feedback from those who read, since i'm writing it because I want feedback and not because I've got nothing to do. And considering the amount of replies for three forums in past 10 or so updates, I'll probably shut this story down without no feedback and just play this game for myself.

18th of May 2014

Action contiued as John gave me a paper with some short text on it. I read it to the guy. Or to more precise, to Milan police. I was a hostage and John wanted a clean record on it's name and a new start on some Oceanian island.

It was already getting late and the clock was showing 5:34 PM when the horns came. Big police forces came to the house I was in. Before the cops came, I had a short chance to look outside from a bigger window. We were in a huge valley ass I suggested before. I didn't know where it exactly was, but I saw a very similiar mountain top far away that wasn't far away from my home beside Lake Como. Though, I was mostly worried about my family. I didn't trust Jaake.

The police forces sent in a negotiatier, as Jaake couldn't reach agreement with him. With his well known sense of mind, he went angry and what followed was ugly. He took the negotiater and a gun, shot him at head, then throwed him out of the window in front of police forces. It stayed quiet for some time, until more local policemen arrived and then things went over the lines.

Huge gunfire followed. 4 of the guys who had captured me + Jaake were shooting at the policemen and other way around as no agreement was reached... Well from there I can't remember much....

19th of May 2014

From Gazzetta.it

hilditch

very good writing, nice ideas outside of the football games. wish i could write anything near as good as this.

Tanel

Thanks, hilditch.

Authors Note: Wrong wrong dates! 18th of April 2014 = 21st of April 2014, 18th of May 2014 = 21st of April 2014 & 19th of April 2014 = 22nd of April 2014

24nd of April 2014

I woke up in some creepy palat with noone there. I had no idea about the date, but luckily a nurse stepped in. I asked whats the date, she said it's 22nd. I watched around. I knew I had a Bayern game on 23rd. I did feel very bad and I asked nurse to get me a doctor. I talked with him, he was a Juventino, but I asked him a tape of Bayern - Inter, so I could see what happened. I didn't want to get any tips or whatsoever. I had my lunch with help of beatiful nurse and after the soup I had a short nap and around 3 PM, my tape arrived with Giuseppe Bergomi, our current president, an ex-legend who took over the job from Giacinto Facchetti on 2010.

Bergomi set the DVD into the TV the nurse had bringed into my room and put the DVD recording into it. No VHS in 2014 anymore. So I started watching the game. Orsi had choosen the same line-up as I would've to suprise me. From the first minute players looked very lively as they probably knew I was going to stay alive.

Champions League Semifinal, Leg 2 (From 23rd of April 2014)
Bayern 5:5 Inter (3. Gianpaolo Pazzini, 21., 59., 86. Adriano, 45. og. Philipp Lahm)

I felt like I've never been more fitter than now. Amazing fight, amazing match and a ticket to Denmark was guaranteed. It was more than tense affair eventhough we have good relationship with Bayern. During some minutes, my heart wanted to stop. The score was chaning all the time, Bayern even had a 3:1 lead at one point, but we fought back and so on. That Adriano's goal ended every doubt I had in 86th minute. I also have to praise Orsi who was tactically brilliant in the last minutes as before the Adriano's sub he bringed in Walter Samuel as 3rd central defender which completely shut down their game. (Authors Note: Ofcourse I played this game myself in reality )

I then called to Morattis son and said I'm back alive and congratulated them on CL final. Later that night they all came to watch me. I mean all team ofcourse.

26th of April 2014

Maria came to get me as I wasn't ready to drive the caar yet with that high blood pressure. A stone fell from my heart when I saw her and mini-me all right. She said she hadn't seen 0 suspicious people in Estonia. She also told me that Jaake was dead in that shooting between his little gang and police. Another stone fell. I could tell where the bullet hit me, but no. Though I'm not going to demand any apologies from Italian police as in the end, I'm alive and no danger is threateing me. I will stay at home for a week, then I'll return to Inter's managing for the match againist Bologna in week 37 of Serie A.

1st of May 2014

Cork City In April

4th of May 2014

So I was back on sidelines againist Bologna, though, not as lively as usually, but still. I picked a mix up of first team and second team and youngsters. One of the guys from first team was Arjen Robben, who I had already counted out of the CL final, but instead, he made a magical recovery and was 2 weeks infront of it. Though, it was huge test for some guys, though, few played one of their last games for Inter.

Italian Serie A, Week 37
Inter 2:0 Bologna (6. Matteo Momente, 37. Rey Volpato)

I was delighted to see Momente score in his first starting apperance for Inter and he will probably stay for next season also. Same goes with Volpato who will most likely stay. Finally we managed to win with my second team and Inter really looked good. And next seasons 2nd choice GK will be Angelo Piccolo who comes from the Primavera and takes over from the first-team football fan Danilo Russo who will head towards England most probably. Piccolo was impressing during the game and it's important for him to get a clean-sheet.

11th of May 2014

Before my trip to Denmark, to face Arsenal in Champions League final, I had to play my final game of the season. It was almost completely second team and youths on field againist Messina. Only few guys from the possible starting XI in Brondby Stadium started. Like young right-back Matteo Salvati and right winger Arjen Robben. Erminio Rullo, Danilo Russo played their goodbye games, but unfortunately another leaving guy, Graziano Pelle missed the game with a long term injury.

Italian Serie A, Week 38
Messina 1:0 Inter

I wasn't very downhearted with the loss as CL game was knocking at my door and I was concentrating on this one. Erminio Rullo almost scored in his last Inter game, but unfortunately, his shot went a bit over the crossbar. But mostly I was hoping that this loss will guarantee us a win againist Arsenal in CL final as before the Bayern games, we also lost our Serie A matches and it bringed luck.

FINAL SERIE A TABLE

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag| G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Inter | | 38| 32| 2 | 4 | 123 | 36| +87 | 98| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Lazio | | 38| 26| 8 | 4 | 72| 21| +51 | 86| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Milan | | 38| 24| 7 | 7 | 69| 43| +26 | 79| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Roma | | 38| 22| 10| 6 | 71| 37| +34 | 76| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Parma | | 38| 19| 15| 4 | 55| 28| +27 | 72| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Reggina| | 38| 17| 11| 10| 57| 42| +15 | 62| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Palermo| | 38| 17| 10| 11| 45| 35| +10 | 61| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Sampdoria | | 38| 15| 13| 10| 53| 39| +14 | 58| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Juventus | | 38| 16| 8 | 14| 50| 45| +5| 56| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Bologna| | 38| 14| 7 | 17| 42| 54| -12 | 49| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Messina| | 38| 14| 7 | 17| 34| 47| -13 | 49| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Fiorentina | | 38| 12| 10| 16| 47| 54| -7| 46| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Brescia| | 38| 13| 7 | 18| 41| 48| -7| 46| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Torino | | 38| 8 | 14| 16| 43| 60| -17 | 38| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Lecce | | 38| 8 | 11| 19| 27| 50| -23 | 35| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Chievo | | 38| 8 | 11| 19| 32| 57| -25 | 35| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Catania| | 38| 6 | 11| 21| 24| 74| -50 | 29| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | R | Cesena | | 38| 7 | 8 | 23| 27| 50| -23 | 29| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | R | Cagliari | | 38| 4 | 10| 24| 35| 76| -41 | 22| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | R | Empoli | | 38| 4 | 8 | 26| 31| 82| -51 | 20| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Tanel

12th of May 2014

Before we set our "steps" towards Denmark for Champions League final, Gazzetta dello Sport announced their awards for this years Serie A.

Adriano - Player Of The Year, Top Goalscorer (55 goals), Team Of The Year, Foreign Player Of The Year

Arjen Robben - 2nd Player Of The Year, 2nd Foreign Player Of The Year, Team Of The Year

Tanel Tursk - Manager Of The Year

Gianpaolo Pazzini - Italian Player Of The Year, Team Of The Year Bench, 3rd Topscorer (25 goals)

Gianluca Curci - Goalkeeper Of The Year, Team Of The Year

Daniele De Rossi - 2nd Italian Player Of The Year, Team Of The Year

Leo Messi - Team Of The Year

Though, those awards didn't mean nothing. Atleast before the such great night ahead of us on Wednesday. Since we wanted to settle in as quickly as possible, Moratti jr. had gotten us a private jet and we flew to Copenhagen were we took a bus to training ground few km's outside of Copenhagen. The guys to make the trip were:

Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci, Danilo Russo, Angelo Piccolo.

Defenders: Matteo Salvati, Erminio Rullo, Leandro Gioda, Emanuele La Rocca, Marco Corona, Mirko Russo, Marco Luddi.

Midfielders: Leo Messi, Arjen Robben, Daniele De Rossi, Pasquale Fiore, Martins, Dejan Stankovic, Rey Volpato.

Fowards: Adriano, Gianpaolo Pazzini, Jacopo Ricci, Matteo Momente, Graziano Pelle

As we set off before the lunch, we reached Denmark quickly and the flight took around 2 hours. None of the players were frigthened by flying and no-one was close to throwing up. The danger was big as the tension was really high already. We got a big welcome by football fans in local airport and no wonder. It was the current world best team steping on the ground of Denmark. We had an arranged bus by Inter-club Denmark, who sent us some guides also. Eventhough, our team had lots of Interisti already, including me, it was great to speak with another Interisti, who can't have a big influence at what is going on at pitch. We reached the training ground and hotel in one hour time, as the drive trhough Copenhagen was not easy at that time unfortunately. The first thing I let my players do was get a huge rest since they had been up from early hours. But not that they'd get a whole day off. Later on the night, we did a light training and a 2 x 30 training match, which ended 2:1 with goals from Adriano and Messi on the winning side and Pazzini for losers. Unlike my usual "eurotrips" my players didn't have time to check down the local nightlife as it wasn't meaningless groupstage game anymore.

13th of May 2014

I woke up with my hear beats rate already higher than usual, even day before the match. I watched the clock and it said 6 AM. Trainings were set to start at 8, but I didn't want to stay in bed with my lazy ass. So I decided to take a little run in local park or some woods like thing. As much to my suprise, life was already going on in there. I don't mean the human life, but the animal life. They were working hard already, just like I had to do. This run was useful for me, I got so many useful ideas looking at simple animals. Ideas that will keep me fresh.

When I got back the training camp, players were up, but it was around 1 hour to the training, so I grabbed a breakfast and before it, I took a shower. Okay, not all players were up... I also had to wake up our little sleepy princess - Adriano. He always like to sleep long, but this time he went too long with it. I gave him some bad words, but as soon as he was on training ground, his face was shining all over.

Our schedule included, fitness training in the morning with a 5 km jog, then a lunch rest that was followed by some free time. In 2 PM, players had to be back, as I had worked out some tactical training for tomorrow during the break. We practiced standard kicks, some defensive moves and but mostly we tried out an quick attack system with Robben, Martins, Messi, Adriano & Pazzini making opponents think "what on earth was that?". Our defence found it pretty hard to stop at the start, but they were getting it more and more.

14th of May 2014

The bus arrived infront of the training ground at 5 PM local time as the game was set to start 8:45 PM. We reached Brondby Stadium what was already being filling up at 6 PM. Though, outside of the stadium we kept on giving authographs and made some pictures, so we actually reached into the dressing rooms around hour and half before kick off. There I named my starting line-up for Inter's 6th ever Champions League final againist Arsenal. The last three finals were lost, but we wanted to end another curse...