Wednesday 12 June 2013
Season ticket sales higher than last year
The first day to renew season tickets at the San Siro. The most popular choice? The two-year offer
MILAN – At 18:00 on the first day of season ticket sales the results were clear, showing even stronger sales compared to the opening day for the 2012/13 season. Last year there were 93, while today – with sales outlets still operating –148 have already renewed their places at the San Siro.
The Solo Inter store on Via Berchet 1, Milan has been packed, but fans have also made use of the Pirelli flagship store on Corso Venezia 1. Online sales at vivaticket.it and inter.it have also been strong.
Inter fans have always shown passionate support, and this fact has been confirmed by season ticket renewals not just for the 2013/14 season, but also for the following one. 15% decided to take advantage of the 2-year package, with its savings of nearly 40%.
MILAN – At 18:00 on the first day of season ticket sales the results were clear, showing even stronger sales compared to the opening day for the 2012/13 season. Last year there were 93, while today – with sales outlets still operating –148 have already renewed their places at the San Siro.
The Solo Inter store on Via Berchet 1, Milan has been packed, but fans have also made use of the Pirelli flagship store on Corso Venezia 1. Online sales at vivaticket.it and inter.it have also been strong.
Inter fans have always shown passionate support, and this fact has been confirmed by season ticket renewals not just for the 2013/14 season, but also for the following one. 15% decided to take advantage of the 2-year package, with its savings of nearly 40%.
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Mazzarri: "To win you have to want to go the extra mile"
A coach, besides convincing his players by the way he prepares for
games, needs to galvanise them and convey the right temperament"
APPIANO GENTILE - Walter Mazzarri held a long and absorbing press conference today, giving a clear indication of just how much passion he's going to put into the job.
What's the target for a team that finished so far behind Juventus last season and which has a number players who might not be capable of training at the intensity you ask of your teams?
"To be honest, I'm pretty confident because I know my working methods. Especially when you've got a new team, that's an advantage for a new coach coming into a big club. Nobody can deny there were problems last year but you have to be confident. I'll tell you about a lad I once trained, someone I have a great relationship with and who is now working as a sporting director: Nicola Amoruso. He was a player that everyone thought was past it. He was 32 when he joined Reggina. After he'd been training for a while in the way that a player should train he was a totally rejuvenated player – he went on to beat his own goals record that season at a team that was fighting to avoid relegation. And he'd already played for Juventus and other clubs, that says a lot. I'm utterly convinced that if you work the right way and if these Inter players believe in our ideas and they buy into them, at least 90% of them are capable of enduring everything they should be able to endure to then produce top performances on Sunday."
Before it was official that you would join Inter, the president said that coaching a football team is one thing but coaching Inter is another. What do you think about that?
"That's something I'll have to figure out. I'm working night and day to learn everything there is to know about the world of Inter, and I'm getting help from all sides. But I do know a few things about myself. You might have heard me say this before, that when you coach Napoli for four years you get your licence upgraded and you feel you can coach at any club. That might offer some sort of guarantee, we'll have to see. But joking aside I believe I have what it takes to coach a club like this. The president chose me because he was looking for certain qualities for Inter, so he must think I have the ability and the qualities needed to be successful at a club with a set-up like this."
Is there a Napoli player you'd have liked to have been able to put in your suitcase and bring with you?
"Even if there were, I'm very fond of the lads I coached because they helped me get where I am and I'm grateful to all the players I've coached in the past. On the last day, when I said goodbye to the Napoli lads in Rome, I got quite emotional and I'll tell you the truth, this is what I said to them, I told them I wasn't going to phone them again, that if they wanted they could call me, and I said that out of respect for their new coach. I think I have my own moral code and I don't call any of my players even though I owe them a lot. I thanked them but from this moment on I'm no longer the coach of Napoli and I won't phone them. What I'm saying is, even if there were a player at Napoli who fitted my technical requirements and could be useful to Inter I certainly wouldn't tell you guys or the player himself; I'd tell our directors Ausilio and Branca. If they were then able to sign him, fine. But this is neither the time nor the place to be talking about these things because I don't want to discuss transfer business."
You’ve always been at the forefront in controversies involving refereeing, and last season Inter had some problems with refereeing decisions.
"You might have noticed that in recent years I’ve stayed out of refereeing controversies. It was quite a while ago that my attitude changed. I was only critical in one press conference, which was after the Super Cup in Beijing. But my aim was to contribute something, because after 33 years in football I believe I’m able to have my say, and that was an unusual game. Having said that, I haven’t spoken about referees anymore since then apart from very trivially when asked for a comment, I didn't get involved in any controversy last season. So it's certainly isn’t a problem."
If Massimo Moratti were to ask for something more than simply being competitive, would you be prepared?
"I have confidence in the club and evaluations have to be made based on certain parameters, since football is always a business. There are some very good players here who earn a lot. I have no problems taking on my responsibilities based on certain kinds of logic and objectives. There shouldn’t be any problems for me since I chose to come to Inter because I want this important team to become competitive again as soon as possible, and to compete as they always have historically with the teams that are always at the top of the table."
Have you spoken with Walter Samuel? Can he still be important for Inter?
"Samuel is such an excellent, serious and important player that I don't need to speak to him. At any rate, I’ll take this opportunity to tell you the way I work: when we all meet up at the Pinetina I won’t even set foot on the pitch for the first two days, but rather I’ll hold individual meetings with every player in the squad before making my first speech to the team. This has always been my way of doing things, so now it wouldn’t be right to talk about Samuel or any other player in the squad. I do this so things are equal for everyone. If we want to be following rules then I can’t break them myself. So everything will begin when the team I take departs for the camp. I’ll also say that those two days at the Pinetina will also be utilised by our fitness coach to do every kind of test under the sun so we start off on the right foot in the mountains."
Today it was announced that Andrea Ranocchia would face no charges in the betting scandal. How important is this for his peace of mind?
"It’s certainly great news for the lad, but most of all he’s a fundamental part of this club so we’re all happy. "
Could Inter play with your preferred three-man defence? How well equipped for that do you see Inter’s squad from last year?
"I wouldn’t want to get too much into what happened last season. I’d rather reset everything and start from zero. As I’ve done in the past with other teams I’ve coached, I don’t need reference points from the previous season, and my rapport with the players in the new team begins as soon as we meet and talk face to face. That’s how I’m used to working, so I’d rather not get into that. My way of playing? I have certain mechanisms that are quite established and that I let sink in within the first couple of weeks. Certainly I start with a concept of a shape for when we’re in possession, with a three-man defence. This is how it’s always been. Then over time I’ve changed many things. For example, when I was at Reggina I fielded a 3-5-1-1 when Nakamura was there with Bonazzoli in front of him. In another of my three years there I played a 3-4-3 because it seemed that I had players more suited for it when we were attacking. Then without the ball, you saw last season at Napoli for example, I would play a four-man defence according to what the opponents did. So I have certain methods that I wouldn’t simply state as ‘playing with three at the back’. What matters is that the players know these things, that you explain them well in training and that they acknowledge them so as not to start improvising during the game. I’ve changed a lot, without the players being aware of it, because over time the other coaches have studied my game. So I’ve had to change to keep them guessing."
Beyond the formation, flank players have always been fundamental for you. Are you pleased with the ones currently at Inter?
"They’re all good players on paper, with characteristics to suit my game. And I’ll say it again: I'll make my evaluations on the pitch. Without going into what happened last season, because it was a one-off, I believe the squad is already equipped to compete at a good level. And then if the team understands my methods and concepts and trains in the right way, we have players with all the right characteristics. But there are certain assessments I'll only make within the club."
What do you think of Yuto Nagatomo?
"He looked excellent as an opponent. And what I said earlier still stands: I’ll have to see him on the pitch, then I’ll tell you more, like for example if he’s able to do what I ask based on my ideas. It’s clear he’s a great player."
In the past two seasons Inter’s results weren’t up to the same standard as in the past. According to some, the reason is that the team is a bit long in the tooth. How do you feel about that?
"I’ll tell you a story. In my first experience in Serie C2 with Acireale I took over the team and was told that the older and younger players couldn’t play together. I said the older ones couldn’t play football because they couldn’t get to the ball first. It all depends on whether an older player is still capable of training at a certain level. Further along we can assess whether the players that won the treble three years ago still have the desire to sacrifice themselves for the team. You need sacrifice for this sport at the highest level, where the opponents won’t give you an inch and go at 100 miles per hour. We’ll see along the way, and I believe I know the right buttons to push to motivate certain players, should they still be part of this squad."
So then you’ll evaluate lots of things in Pinzolo, and no transfers will take place until certain assessments are made?
"Beyond my evaluations, the transfer market depends on many things, and the policies of the club. I’m a coach, and any coach would like to have the best players in the world. But that’s always easier said than done. We’ll have to see if the club will sign them and if they sell anyone. Which is why there has to be someone that deals with transfers."
Is there a certain youngster you’d like to see on the pitch? For example, Italy’s U-21 defence is practically all Nerazzurri.
"We’re evaluating things, and yesterday we held a meeting until midnight. I arrived yesterday and we’ll be here for two more days to make evaluations with my group and the club. They’ll be continuous with the objective of being in some way prepared to do certain things by 8 July. It’s too soon to ask me about all the Primavera players. However, I’d like to say that it’s difficult to play with a lot of youngsters and bring them along, knowing they lack experience when it comes to top clubs like Inter or the Napoli side of the past four years. It’s not easy to have a lot of young players and make it to the top spots in the standings. You need experienced players to win games because younger players can make naive mistakes. I like young players and if, for example, you asked me to reach 50 points in a season playing only youngsters I believe I could. But it would be different it you wanted me to be competitive with Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Lazio and Fiorentina. Certain evaluations have to be made with full knowledge of the facts."
You seem to be someone who puts a lot of fire and passion into the things he does. How important is passion for you in a team?
"Extremely important, it's crucial. If you want to win in the modern world of football, where the values are levelled out, you have to want to go the extra mile. And you do that by tapping into the emotions that are in all of us, though if you find the wrong person you'll never draw it out. To gain an edge you need to have that extra element. A coach, as well as convincing his players by the way he prepares for games, needs to galvanise them and convey the right temperament."
APPIANO GENTILE - Walter Mazzarri held a long and absorbing press conference today, giving a clear indication of just how much passion he's going to put into the job.
What's the target for a team that finished so far behind Juventus last season and which has a number players who might not be capable of training at the intensity you ask of your teams?
"To be honest, I'm pretty confident because I know my working methods. Especially when you've got a new team, that's an advantage for a new coach coming into a big club. Nobody can deny there were problems last year but you have to be confident. I'll tell you about a lad I once trained, someone I have a great relationship with and who is now working as a sporting director: Nicola Amoruso. He was a player that everyone thought was past it. He was 32 when he joined Reggina. After he'd been training for a while in the way that a player should train he was a totally rejuvenated player – he went on to beat his own goals record that season at a team that was fighting to avoid relegation. And he'd already played for Juventus and other clubs, that says a lot. I'm utterly convinced that if you work the right way and if these Inter players believe in our ideas and they buy into them, at least 90% of them are capable of enduring everything they should be able to endure to then produce top performances on Sunday."
Before it was official that you would join Inter, the president said that coaching a football team is one thing but coaching Inter is another. What do you think about that?
"That's something I'll have to figure out. I'm working night and day to learn everything there is to know about the world of Inter, and I'm getting help from all sides. But I do know a few things about myself. You might have heard me say this before, that when you coach Napoli for four years you get your licence upgraded and you feel you can coach at any club. That might offer some sort of guarantee, we'll have to see. But joking aside I believe I have what it takes to coach a club like this. The president chose me because he was looking for certain qualities for Inter, so he must think I have the ability and the qualities needed to be successful at a club with a set-up like this."
Is there a Napoli player you'd have liked to have been able to put in your suitcase and bring with you?
"Even if there were, I'm very fond of the lads I coached because they helped me get where I am and I'm grateful to all the players I've coached in the past. On the last day, when I said goodbye to the Napoli lads in Rome, I got quite emotional and I'll tell you the truth, this is what I said to them, I told them I wasn't going to phone them again, that if they wanted they could call me, and I said that out of respect for their new coach. I think I have my own moral code and I don't call any of my players even though I owe them a lot. I thanked them but from this moment on I'm no longer the coach of Napoli and I won't phone them. What I'm saying is, even if there were a player at Napoli who fitted my technical requirements and could be useful to Inter I certainly wouldn't tell you guys or the player himself; I'd tell our directors Ausilio and Branca. If they were then able to sign him, fine. But this is neither the time nor the place to be talking about these things because I don't want to discuss transfer business."
You’ve always been at the forefront in controversies involving refereeing, and last season Inter had some problems with refereeing decisions.
"You might have noticed that in recent years I’ve stayed out of refereeing controversies. It was quite a while ago that my attitude changed. I was only critical in one press conference, which was after the Super Cup in Beijing. But my aim was to contribute something, because after 33 years in football I believe I’m able to have my say, and that was an unusual game. Having said that, I haven’t spoken about referees anymore since then apart from very trivially when asked for a comment, I didn't get involved in any controversy last season. So it's certainly isn’t a problem."
If Massimo Moratti were to ask for something more than simply being competitive, would you be prepared?
"I have confidence in the club and evaluations have to be made based on certain parameters, since football is always a business. There are some very good players here who earn a lot. I have no problems taking on my responsibilities based on certain kinds of logic and objectives. There shouldn’t be any problems for me since I chose to come to Inter because I want this important team to become competitive again as soon as possible, and to compete as they always have historically with the teams that are always at the top of the table."
Have you spoken with Walter Samuel? Can he still be important for Inter?
"Samuel is such an excellent, serious and important player that I don't need to speak to him. At any rate, I’ll take this opportunity to tell you the way I work: when we all meet up at the Pinetina I won’t even set foot on the pitch for the first two days, but rather I’ll hold individual meetings with every player in the squad before making my first speech to the team. This has always been my way of doing things, so now it wouldn’t be right to talk about Samuel or any other player in the squad. I do this so things are equal for everyone. If we want to be following rules then I can’t break them myself. So everything will begin when the team I take departs for the camp. I’ll also say that those two days at the Pinetina will also be utilised by our fitness coach to do every kind of test under the sun so we start off on the right foot in the mountains."
Today it was announced that Andrea Ranocchia would face no charges in the betting scandal. How important is this for his peace of mind?
"It’s certainly great news for the lad, but most of all he’s a fundamental part of this club so we’re all happy. "
Could Inter play with your preferred three-man defence? How well equipped for that do you see Inter’s squad from last year?
"I wouldn’t want to get too much into what happened last season. I’d rather reset everything and start from zero. As I’ve done in the past with other teams I’ve coached, I don’t need reference points from the previous season, and my rapport with the players in the new team begins as soon as we meet and talk face to face. That’s how I’m used to working, so I’d rather not get into that. My way of playing? I have certain mechanisms that are quite established and that I let sink in within the first couple of weeks. Certainly I start with a concept of a shape for when we’re in possession, with a three-man defence. This is how it’s always been. Then over time I’ve changed many things. For example, when I was at Reggina I fielded a 3-5-1-1 when Nakamura was there with Bonazzoli in front of him. In another of my three years there I played a 3-4-3 because it seemed that I had players more suited for it when we were attacking. Then without the ball, you saw last season at Napoli for example, I would play a four-man defence according to what the opponents did. So I have certain methods that I wouldn’t simply state as ‘playing with three at the back’. What matters is that the players know these things, that you explain them well in training and that they acknowledge them so as not to start improvising during the game. I’ve changed a lot, without the players being aware of it, because over time the other coaches have studied my game. So I’ve had to change to keep them guessing."
Beyond the formation, flank players have always been fundamental for you. Are you pleased with the ones currently at Inter?
"They’re all good players on paper, with characteristics to suit my game. And I’ll say it again: I'll make my evaluations on the pitch. Without going into what happened last season, because it was a one-off, I believe the squad is already equipped to compete at a good level. And then if the team understands my methods and concepts and trains in the right way, we have players with all the right characteristics. But there are certain assessments I'll only make within the club."
What do you think of Yuto Nagatomo?
"He looked excellent as an opponent. And what I said earlier still stands: I’ll have to see him on the pitch, then I’ll tell you more, like for example if he’s able to do what I ask based on my ideas. It’s clear he’s a great player."
In the past two seasons Inter’s results weren’t up to the same standard as in the past. According to some, the reason is that the team is a bit long in the tooth. How do you feel about that?
"I’ll tell you a story. In my first experience in Serie C2 with Acireale I took over the team and was told that the older and younger players couldn’t play together. I said the older ones couldn’t play football because they couldn’t get to the ball first. It all depends on whether an older player is still capable of training at a certain level. Further along we can assess whether the players that won the treble three years ago still have the desire to sacrifice themselves for the team. You need sacrifice for this sport at the highest level, where the opponents won’t give you an inch and go at 100 miles per hour. We’ll see along the way, and I believe I know the right buttons to push to motivate certain players, should they still be part of this squad."
So then you’ll evaluate lots of things in Pinzolo, and no transfers will take place until certain assessments are made?
"Beyond my evaluations, the transfer market depends on many things, and the policies of the club. I’m a coach, and any coach would like to have the best players in the world. But that’s always easier said than done. We’ll have to see if the club will sign them and if they sell anyone. Which is why there has to be someone that deals with transfers."
Is there a certain youngster you’d like to see on the pitch? For example, Italy’s U-21 defence is practically all Nerazzurri.
"We’re evaluating things, and yesterday we held a meeting until midnight. I arrived yesterday and we’ll be here for two more days to make evaluations with my group and the club. They’ll be continuous with the objective of being in some way prepared to do certain things by 8 July. It’s too soon to ask me about all the Primavera players. However, I’d like to say that it’s difficult to play with a lot of youngsters and bring them along, knowing they lack experience when it comes to top clubs like Inter or the Napoli side of the past four years. It’s not easy to have a lot of young players and make it to the top spots in the standings. You need experienced players to win games because younger players can make naive mistakes. I like young players and if, for example, you asked me to reach 50 points in a season playing only youngsters I believe I could. But it would be different it you wanted me to be competitive with Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Lazio and Fiorentina. Certain evaluations have to be made with full knowledge of the facts."
You seem to be someone who puts a lot of fire and passion into the things he does. How important is passion for you in a team?
"Extremely important, it's crucial. If you want to win in the modern world of football, where the values are levelled out, you have to want to go the extra mile. And you do that by tapping into the emotions that are in all of us, though if you find the wrong person you'll never draw it out. To gain an edge you need to have that extra element. A coach, as well as convincing his players by the way he prepares for games, needs to galvanise them and convey the right temperament."
Looking
at Inter's squad at the moment, are there any mainstays for you in there?
"Every
coach has mainstays. I'm not going to tell you what they are
but yes I have some."
José Mourinho's good luck message for Inter and Walter Mazzarri
Portuguese tactician wishes all the best to Inter's new coach,
who offers his own backing to Nerazzurri Treble winner ahead of his
return to Chelsea
MILAN – Two men who together represent Inter's past, present and future. Just a few days after Walter Mazzarri was unveiled as the Nerazzurri's new coach, José Mourinho has sent a message to the Tuscan tactician - via technical director Marco Branca - to wish him the best of luck in the Inter dugout.
Walter Mazzarri thanked the Portuguese, who is set for a second stint at the helm of Chelsea, and returned the good luck message, wishing him the best of success in his new job. Two coaches who hold each other in high regard. And it won't be long before they get the opportunity to meet in person: Inter v Chelsea is one of the tantalising fixtures on the menu during the Nerazzurri's forthcoming US tour.
MILAN – Two men who together represent Inter's past, present and future. Just a few days after Walter Mazzarri was unveiled as the Nerazzurri's new coach, José Mourinho has sent a message to the Tuscan tactician - via technical director Marco Branca - to wish him the best of luck in the Inter dugout.
Walter Mazzarri thanked the Portuguese, who is set for a second stint at the helm of Chelsea, and returned the good luck message, wishing him the best of success in his new job. Two coaches who hold each other in high regard. And it won't be long before they get the opportunity to meet in person: Inter v Chelsea is one of the tantalising fixtures on the menu during the Nerazzurri's forthcoming US tour.
Moratti and mazzari
Moratti: "Mazzarri is pragmatic, positive first impressions"
"We're working to get a balanced squad that fits with the coach's system"MILAN - Massimo Moratti spoke to the press outside the Saras offices this morning:
What have you made of Walter Mazzarri after his introductory press conference and his first few days in the job?
"A positive first impression. He seems to be, as I thought, a pragmatic man and he's now working to see how to complete the squad and how to strike the right balance."
What sort of activity should we expect in the transfer market now Mazzarri's on board?
"Could be anything! We'll see who leaves and who might come in that would fit in with Mazzarri's system as well as what assets the club has at its disposal."
You still need something up front, have you spoken about Osvaldo?
"I see things like this on television."
There's talk that Ranocchia might leave, can you rule that out?
"Yes, I think so, plus the defence is where we really need to strengthen and Ranocchia is one of the best in the country in that position, and plays for the national team."
Fredy Guarin has said he wants to stay at Inter and win trophies with the Nerazzurri. But people have also mentioned he might leave the club. Can you confirm that he'll be an important component of the club's project in the future?
"It's great that he's said that and he's a player who has such quality that... He's one of the most sought-after players on the market, but we're looking to him going forward."
What stage are we at in terms of possible Indonesian investment?
"It's less hurried than what I've read in the papers."
Monday 3 June 2013
History Of Internazionale Milan
1908
At the beginning of the century, Milan derbies did not exist. At that time there was only "Milan Cricket and Football Club" (now AC Milan). But on 9 March 1908, a group of rebels form "Football Club Internazionale Milano". The name of the club derives from the wish of its founding members to accept foreign players as well as Italians, hence the name Internazionale. Indeed, the first captain of the side is a Swiss player - Hernst Manktl. The club colours are gold, black and blue, a tradition which has been kept right up to the present day.
1910
Inter win the Italian league for the first time. The captain of the championship-winning team is Virgilio Fossati, who several years later dies in World War I. But even without Fossati, Inter win their second title in 1920.
1930
During the Fascist era, the club is forced to merge with the Milanese Unione Sportiva and the team wins its third Scudetto under the name of Ambrosiana Inter.
1934
Nerazzurri Allemandi, Castellazzi, Demaria and the legendary Giuseppe Meazza win the World Cup with the Italian national team in Rome in 1934. Two years later, Frossi and Locatelli win the gold medal at the Berlin Olympics.
1938
Inter players Ferraris II, Ferrari, Locatelli and Meazza are involved in the Azzurri set-up that wins the 1938 World Cup in Paris. The same year, Inter win their fourth Scudetto, while the clubs first Coppa Italia success comes in 1939. Another league title arrives in 1940, while the name Ambrosiana is abandoned in October 1945, after which the club returns to its previous name Inter.
1947
Giuseppe Meazza plays the last of his 408 official matches in an Inter shirt. The Inter striker, who attains legend status with his 287 goals for the club, dies in 1979, and a year later the San Siro stadium is named in his honour.
1953
The Nerazzurri win their sixth Scudetto in 1953 and repeat the success a year later thanks to four great protagonists Italian Benito "Veleno" Lorenzi, Swede Skoglund Dutchman Wilkes and the stateless Nyers.
1963
The "Great Inter" era begins. The club president is Angelo Moratti, the coach is Helenio Herrera and the line-up is unforgettable: Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti, Bedin, Guarneri, Picchi, Jair, Mazzola, Milani (Domenghini), Suarez, and Corso. The Great Inter side win three Serie A titles (in 1964, 1965 and 1966 the latter is the tenth Scudetto which allows the club to wear one gold star on their shirts), two European Cups (in 1964 against Real Madrid and 1965 against Benfica) and two Intercontinental Cups (in 1964 and 1965, both against Argentine outfit Independiente). In 1964, Suarez wins the European championship with the Spanish national team.
1968
Burgnich, Domenghini, Facchetti, Guarneri and Mazzola contribute to the Italian national team's success at the 1968 European championship in Rome. Three years later, the Nerazzurri win their eleventh Scudetto under the guidance of coach Gianni Invernizzi.
1982
After the twelfth Serie A title won in 1980, Altobelli, Bergomi, Bordon, Marini and Oriali win the World Cup with Italy in Madrid in 1982
1989
Inter win their thirteenth Scudetto in 1989, garnering a record 58 points from 34 matches (two points awarded for a win). A year later at Italia '90, Inter's German trio of Brehme, Klinsmann and Matthaeus win the World Cup in Rome. The same year, Lothar Matthaeus becomes the first Inter player to be awarded the prestigious European Player of the Year award.
1991
On 22 May 1991, exactly 26 years since their last international success, Inter defeat Roma 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup final. Matthaeus and Berti score for the Nerazzurri in the first leg at the Meazza. Inter defeat Salzburg in the final three years later to win their second UEFA Cup. Matthaeus becomes the first winner of the FIFA World Player award
1998
Ronaldo becomes the second Inter player to win the FIFA World Player award and the second to win the coveted Ballon d'Or. Inter lose out on the Scudetto after a long duel with rivals Juventus, but beat Lazio 3-0 in Paris to lift their third UEFA Cup. Frenchman Djorkaeff beats Brazilian Ronaldo in another prestigious match played in Paris - the 1998 World Cup final.
2000
On 12 April, the world is struck by Ronaldo's injury during the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. The "Phenomenon" makes a return to the pitch and scores again in the 2001/02 season. In the meantime, Nerazzurri defender Laurent Blanc is part of the French side that beats Italy in the final of Euro 2000.
2001
The season concludes with Inter overtaking AC Milan to finish 5th in the Serie A championship. During the summer, a "Ronaldo Day" is held to celebrate the Phenomenon's return to competitive football. In November, one of Inter's most legendary players, the unforgettable full-back Giacinto Facchetti, becomes vice president of the club. Unfortunately, in December, Inter fan par excellence and vice president of the Beneamata Avv. Giuseppe Prisco passes away two days after his eightieth birthday.
2002
Inter go very close to winning their fourteenth Scudetto. Leaders going into the last match of the season and with a one-point advantage over Juventus, they lose 4-2 away to Lazio at Rome's Olimpico stadium. The Scudetto goes to Juventus, while Roma beat Inter into second place. Just as in 1967, the last match of the championship is fatal to the Nerazzurri.
2004
Hector Cuper guides Inter to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and a historic two-legged 'Euroderby' with AC Milan. The Nerazzurri lose out on the away goals rule.
2005
Roberto Mancini's debut season as Inter coach ends with the club's first trophy in seven years - a 3-0 Coppa Italia final victory over Roma thanks to a brace from Adriano at the Olimpico and a Sinisa Mihajlovic free kick at the Giuseppe Meazza. The Nerazzurri, who finish third in the Serie A and reach the Champions League quarter-finals, lose just three matches in 2004/05. In August Inter lift the Italian Super Cup for the second time in their history with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at Turin's Delle Alpi Stadium. Juan Sebastian Veron scores the winning goal.
2006
In a repeat of the 2005 Coppa Italia final Inter beat Roma over two legs (1-1 at the Olimpico, 3-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza) to retain the trophy. Julio Cruz scores in both matches, with Cambiasso and Martins the other two Nerazzurri players on target. Two months later Inter are officially awarded their 14th Serie A title by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after a sports tribunal strips Juventus of the Scudetto in the wake of the match-fixing scandal. In the 2006/07 season curtain raiser in August, Inter come back from three goals down to beat Roma 4-3 in extra time at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and retain the Italian Super Cup.
2007
Marco Materazzi scores twice at Siena's Stadio Franchi on 22 April 2007 as the Nerazzurri wrap up their second consecutive league title with a 2-1 away victory over Siena. Inter secure their 15th Serie A title with five games to spare, with 26 wins, 6 draws and just 1 defeat from 33 games. Robero Mancini becomes the third coach in Inter history to win back-to-back league titles after Alfredo Foni (1952/53 and 1953/54) and Helenio Herrera (1964/65 and 1965/66).
2008
Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes off the bench to score twice as Inter win 2-0 at Parma on the final day of the Serie A campaign and seal a third consecutive Scudetto in the club's centenary season. Just two months after the spectacular 100th anniversary celebrations and hours after the win in Parma, Inter fans pack the Giuseppe Meazza again as the Nerazzurri are awarded their 16th league title.
2009
Inter win a fourth consecutive Serie A title without kicking a ball after AC Milan lose 2-1 against Udinese in a Saturday fixture.
Mourinho's men celebrate the title the following day in front of the home fans with a 3-0 victory over Siena.
The Nerazzurri's bid to win a fifth Italian Super Cup ends in defeat at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing as Inter are beaten 2-1 by Lazio.
2010
Inter's 2009/10 campaign is the most successful in the club's history as José Mourinho's side make a clean sweep of domestic and European honours.
Diego Milito scores against Roma to win us the Coppa Italia, nets again against Siena to wrap up the Serie A title, and bags a brace against Bayern Munich in Madrid to add the Champions League and complete an unprecedented treble - no Italian team had ever won the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and European Champions Cup in the same season.
In June, Spanish tactician Rafael Benitez is named the new coach of Inter.
From Milan to Abu Dhabi and another triumph for the boys in black and blue - this time in the FIFA Club World Cup 2010. In 1965 we had Facchetti and Suarez, Mazzola and Corso - who scored two goals including the winner in the three-match final against Independiente. In 2010, Julio Cesar and Maicon, Cambiasso, Motta and Milito. The scorers in the final against Mazembe played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on 18 December 2010 were Pandev, Eto'o and Biabiany; three days earlier, in the semi-final, goals by Stankovic, Zanetti and the Prince helped the Nerazzurri to beat Seongnam.
Different names, same result: the Nerazzurri rose to stand on top of the world again after 45 years, from Angelo Moratti's Great Inter side to his son Massimo's team, winners of 5 trophies in 2010. Inter won the Club World Cup hands down, exploiting their opponents' weaknesses with the class of their champions shining through. A night that had long been craved for by president, players and fans alike, ending a legendary year on a high before turning the page into 2011 and a new era with Leonardo, following Rafa Benitez's departure.
The Club World Cup is in the hands of captain Zanetti, a man who never tires of raising trophies to the sky and celebrating Inter's supremacy. The world is at his feet, and the winners' tears of joy represent the consecration of a drea
At the beginning of the century, Milan derbies did not exist. At that time there was only "Milan Cricket and Football Club" (now AC Milan). But on 9 March 1908, a group of rebels form "Football Club Internazionale Milano". The name of the club derives from the wish of its founding members to accept foreign players as well as Italians, hence the name Internazionale. Indeed, the first captain of the side is a Swiss player - Hernst Manktl. The club colours are gold, black and blue, a tradition which has been kept right up to the present day.
1910
Inter win the Italian league for the first time. The captain of the championship-winning team is Virgilio Fossati, who several years later dies in World War I. But even without Fossati, Inter win their second title in 1920.
1930
During the Fascist era, the club is forced to merge with the Milanese Unione Sportiva and the team wins its third Scudetto under the name of Ambrosiana Inter.
1934
Nerazzurri Allemandi, Castellazzi, Demaria and the legendary Giuseppe Meazza win the World Cup with the Italian national team in Rome in 1934. Two years later, Frossi and Locatelli win the gold medal at the Berlin Olympics.
1938
Inter players Ferraris II, Ferrari, Locatelli and Meazza are involved in the Azzurri set-up that wins the 1938 World Cup in Paris. The same year, Inter win their fourth Scudetto, while the clubs first Coppa Italia success comes in 1939. Another league title arrives in 1940, while the name Ambrosiana is abandoned in October 1945, after which the club returns to its previous name Inter.
1947
Giuseppe Meazza plays the last of his 408 official matches in an Inter shirt. The Inter striker, who attains legend status with his 287 goals for the club, dies in 1979, and a year later the San Siro stadium is named in his honour.
1953
The Nerazzurri win their sixth Scudetto in 1953 and repeat the success a year later thanks to four great protagonists Italian Benito "Veleno" Lorenzi, Swede Skoglund Dutchman Wilkes and the stateless Nyers.
1963
The "Great Inter" era begins. The club president is Angelo Moratti, the coach is Helenio Herrera and the line-up is unforgettable: Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti, Bedin, Guarneri, Picchi, Jair, Mazzola, Milani (Domenghini), Suarez, and Corso. The Great Inter side win three Serie A titles (in 1964, 1965 and 1966 the latter is the tenth Scudetto which allows the club to wear one gold star on their shirts), two European Cups (in 1964 against Real Madrid and 1965 against Benfica) and two Intercontinental Cups (in 1964 and 1965, both against Argentine outfit Independiente). In 1964, Suarez wins the European championship with the Spanish national team.
1968
Burgnich, Domenghini, Facchetti, Guarneri and Mazzola contribute to the Italian national team's success at the 1968 European championship in Rome. Three years later, the Nerazzurri win their eleventh Scudetto under the guidance of coach Gianni Invernizzi.
1982
After the twelfth Serie A title won in 1980, Altobelli, Bergomi, Bordon, Marini and Oriali win the World Cup with Italy in Madrid in 1982
1989
Inter win their thirteenth Scudetto in 1989, garnering a record 58 points from 34 matches (two points awarded for a win). A year later at Italia '90, Inter's German trio of Brehme, Klinsmann and Matthaeus win the World Cup in Rome. The same year, Lothar Matthaeus becomes the first Inter player to be awarded the prestigious European Player of the Year award.
1991
On 22 May 1991, exactly 26 years since their last international success, Inter defeat Roma 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup final. Matthaeus and Berti score for the Nerazzurri in the first leg at the Meazza. Inter defeat Salzburg in the final three years later to win their second UEFA Cup. Matthaeus becomes the first winner of the FIFA World Player award
1998
Ronaldo becomes the second Inter player to win the FIFA World Player award and the second to win the coveted Ballon d'Or. Inter lose out on the Scudetto after a long duel with rivals Juventus, but beat Lazio 3-0 in Paris to lift their third UEFA Cup. Frenchman Djorkaeff beats Brazilian Ronaldo in another prestigious match played in Paris - the 1998 World Cup final.
2000
On 12 April, the world is struck by Ronaldo's injury during the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. The "Phenomenon" makes a return to the pitch and scores again in the 2001/02 season. In the meantime, Nerazzurri defender Laurent Blanc is part of the French side that beats Italy in the final of Euro 2000.
2001
The season concludes with Inter overtaking AC Milan to finish 5th in the Serie A championship. During the summer, a "Ronaldo Day" is held to celebrate the Phenomenon's return to competitive football. In November, one of Inter's most legendary players, the unforgettable full-back Giacinto Facchetti, becomes vice president of the club. Unfortunately, in December, Inter fan par excellence and vice president of the Beneamata Avv. Giuseppe Prisco passes away two days after his eightieth birthday.
2002
Inter go very close to winning their fourteenth Scudetto. Leaders going into the last match of the season and with a one-point advantage over Juventus, they lose 4-2 away to Lazio at Rome's Olimpico stadium. The Scudetto goes to Juventus, while Roma beat Inter into second place. Just as in 1967, the last match of the championship is fatal to the Nerazzurri.
2004
Hector Cuper guides Inter to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and a historic two-legged 'Euroderby' with AC Milan. The Nerazzurri lose out on the away goals rule.
2005
Roberto Mancini's debut season as Inter coach ends with the club's first trophy in seven years - a 3-0 Coppa Italia final victory over Roma thanks to a brace from Adriano at the Olimpico and a Sinisa Mihajlovic free kick at the Giuseppe Meazza. The Nerazzurri, who finish third in the Serie A and reach the Champions League quarter-finals, lose just three matches in 2004/05. In August Inter lift the Italian Super Cup for the second time in their history with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at Turin's Delle Alpi Stadium. Juan Sebastian Veron scores the winning goal.
2006
In a repeat of the 2005 Coppa Italia final Inter beat Roma over two legs (1-1 at the Olimpico, 3-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza) to retain the trophy. Julio Cruz scores in both matches, with Cambiasso and Martins the other two Nerazzurri players on target. Two months later Inter are officially awarded their 14th Serie A title by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after a sports tribunal strips Juventus of the Scudetto in the wake of the match-fixing scandal. In the 2006/07 season curtain raiser in August, Inter come back from three goals down to beat Roma 4-3 in extra time at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and retain the Italian Super Cup.
2007
Marco Materazzi scores twice at Siena's Stadio Franchi on 22 April 2007 as the Nerazzurri wrap up their second consecutive league title with a 2-1 away victory over Siena. Inter secure their 15th Serie A title with five games to spare, with 26 wins, 6 draws and just 1 defeat from 33 games. Robero Mancini becomes the third coach in Inter history to win back-to-back league titles after Alfredo Foni (1952/53 and 1953/54) and Helenio Herrera (1964/65 and 1965/66).
2008
Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes off the bench to score twice as Inter win 2-0 at Parma on the final day of the Serie A campaign and seal a third consecutive Scudetto in the club's centenary season. Just two months after the spectacular 100th anniversary celebrations and hours after the win in Parma, Inter fans pack the Giuseppe Meazza again as the Nerazzurri are awarded their 16th league title.
2009
Inter win a fourth consecutive Serie A title without kicking a ball after AC Milan lose 2-1 against Udinese in a Saturday fixture.
Mourinho's men celebrate the title the following day in front of the home fans with a 3-0 victory over Siena.
The Nerazzurri's bid to win a fifth Italian Super Cup ends in defeat at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing as Inter are beaten 2-1 by Lazio.
2010
Inter's 2009/10 campaign is the most successful in the club's history as José Mourinho's side make a clean sweep of domestic and European honours.
Diego Milito scores against Roma to win us the Coppa Italia, nets again against Siena to wrap up the Serie A title, and bags a brace against Bayern Munich in Madrid to add the Champions League and complete an unprecedented treble - no Italian team had ever won the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and European Champions Cup in the same season.
In June, Spanish tactician Rafael Benitez is named the new coach of Inter.
From Milan to Abu Dhabi and another triumph for the boys in black and blue - this time in the FIFA Club World Cup 2010. In 1965 we had Facchetti and Suarez, Mazzola and Corso - who scored two goals including the winner in the three-match final against Independiente. In 2010, Julio Cesar and Maicon, Cambiasso, Motta and Milito. The scorers in the final against Mazembe played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on 18 December 2010 were Pandev, Eto'o and Biabiany; three days earlier, in the semi-final, goals by Stankovic, Zanetti and the Prince helped the Nerazzurri to beat Seongnam.
Different names, same result: the Nerazzurri rose to stand on top of the world again after 45 years, from Angelo Moratti's Great Inter side to his son Massimo's team, winners of 5 trophies in 2010. Inter won the Club World Cup hands down, exploiting their opponents' weaknesses with the class of their champions shining through. A night that had long been craved for by president, players and fans alike, ending a legendary year on a high before turning the page into 2011 and a new era with Leonardo, following Rafa Benitez's departure.
The Club World Cup is in the hands of captain Zanetti, a man who never tires of raising trophies to the sky and celebrating Inter's supremacy. The world is at his feet, and the winners' tears of joy represent the consecration of a drea
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