Or something like that. I have to say, I dont really like this friendly at all. I think the triangular format is silly and just so not worth the risk to the players' health. They dont listen to me, though.
What: Inter v Milan v Juventus, Trofeo Tim
Where: Bari, Italy
When: Thursday, August 18th, 8:45pm local time (11:45am pacific, 2:45pm eastern)
How to Watch: I dont think it will be on TV. Find a stream: MyP2P, Rojadirecta, Ustream, and ATDHE.me
First a little run down on how the triangular format works.
The tournament is comprised of three 45 minute games, with the third team facing the winner of the first match. Points are awarded based on the outcome:
- 3 points for a win in regulation time
- 2 points for a win on penalties
- 1 point for a defeat on penalties
If two teams end with the same number of points then it goes to who won the head to head. If all three teams end with the same number of points then it goes to the team with the best goal differential. If those are the same, then the to the highest number of goals. After that, I just dont know. A coin flip maybe.
Inter won last year with 5 points. We beat Juve first (1-0) then Milan on penalties (game finished 0-0, 2-3 after shootout). In fact, Inter has won this trophy the most - six out of the ten times this little party has been thrown. Hooray.
Wait, is that Santon back there? Our baby got buff!
Gasperini has called up 25 players:
Goalkeepers: Castellazzi, Orlandoni, Cincilla;
Defenders: Zanetti, Lucio, Caldirola, Ranocchia, Samuel, Chivu, Faraoni, Santon, Jonathan, Bianchetti;
Midfielders: Stankovic, Thiago Motta, Sneijder, Alvarez, Cambiasso, Obi, Crisetig, Muntari;
Forwards: Pazzini, Milito, Pandev, Castaignos.
This will be the first test of an Eto'o-less Inter as he is most certainly on the way to Russia (and hence was not called up). It will also be the 2011/12 debut for birthday boy Cambiasso (happy 31st), Milito, and newly renewed Lucio. Jonathan may get his Inter debut, with Maicon injured, this may be the perfect time to launch his "heir." Julio Cesar is on a little holiday after cutting his summer short to play in Beijing. The observant among you will notice that Wesley Sneijder has been called up, meaning that, much to the chagrin of Manchester United fans, he is still an Inter player.
Mariga is off to Spain. Muntari, not so much. He is clinging to Inter like a baby rhesus monkey. Coutinho is still ripping it up in Columbia with the Brazil U20 team (they made it through to the final!), while Nagatomo is still injured.
Photographic evidence that Sneijder still plays for Inter and is not secretly training with Manchester United.
I have no earthly clue how this is going to work formation wise. I expect Castellazzi to start and the back line to feature Lucio, Samuel, and Chivu (shudder). The midfield is a mystery, as are the forward three (Pazzini? Milito?).
I am attempting to have a positive attitude about all this but it is getting harder every day. I just dont see how selling your top goal scorer without replacing him can be good for a team. People point to the Ibra deal, but we got Eto'o coming the other way. This deal is missing that vital piece. I understand that Gasperini wants to build his own squad, but even he needs someone to actually score, right? Argh.
So here we go. Fingers crossed, everyone, that this squad actually starts looking like a team. Oh, and that no one gets hurt.
FORZA INTER
If you haven't entered the Inter Offside Great Big Fabulous Contest (with PRIZES!) you still have a couple weeks. Enter now to win!
As for this post, I know this was lame. And late. But in my defense, this is what has been keeping me away from you all these last few days:
Follow me and this blog on twitter: @InterOffside