Monday, November 1, 2010

Inter Milan... Let's take a closer look. Players and bios.

Goalkeeper-- Soares de Espindola Julio Cesar-- Rio De Janeiro, Brazil-- Getting past the Inter defence is tough enough, let alone getting past Julio Cesar. The Brazil number one has risen to prominence in recent years, becoming one of the world's top shotstoppers thanks to his feline-like reflexes and self-assurance between the sticks. Well established as Brazil's number one goalkeeper, he saved two penalties in the 2004 Copa America final shoot-out. He has since represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and the 2009 Intercontinental Cup. At Inter since July 2005, Julio Cesar spent six months at Chievo acclimatizing to Italian football after six and a half years with Flamengo.


Defender-- Materazzi Marco-- Leece, Italy-- A ferocious and highly combative central defender who is highly skilled in making tackles, 2006 World Cup-winner Materazzi is virtually infallible when it comes to taking free kicks and penalties. Holder of the record of goals scored by a defender in one Serie A season, he averages a goal every 13 games. Now a veteran of the team, he wears the Inter colours on his chest. From the dusty pitches of Marsala to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Materazzi has also played for Trapani, Perugia, Carpi and English Premier League side Everton. At Inter since June 2001.




Defender-- Samuel Walter Adrian-- Firmat, Argentina-- One of the most solid central defenders around, Samuel lives up to his nickname: the Wall. An absolute rock at the back, his partnership with Lucio has made the Inter defence almost unbreachable. Also helps out at the other end of the pitch, grabbing crucial goals from corners. A regular in the Argentina national team since 1999, he has made over 50 appearances for the Albiceleste. Samuel played for Newell's Boys, Boca Juniors, Real Madrid and Roma before arriving at Inter in August 2005.





Defender-- Da Silva Ferreira Lucimar Lucio-- Brasilia, Brazil--
Strong and technically gifted, the two-footed Brazilian is known for his intelligent reading of the game and his striding runs out of defence. He is a modern, eclectic central defender whose speed and athleticism belies his tall frame and heavy build. A natural leader, he captained Brazil to the Confederations Cup title in 2009 and led the Selecao at the 2010 World Cup. Part of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup, he is now just four caps short of a century. Lucio spent three seasons with Brazil's Interacional Porto Alegre and nine with German sides Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich before joining Inter in July 2009.

Defender-- Chivu Cristian-- Resita, Romania-- An accomplished and versatile left-sided player who can play at centre-back, left-back and also in a defensive midfield role when needed, the Romanian's skill at taking set pieces adds a valuable dimension to his game. Has had several lengthy lay-offs due to injury since arriving in Italy in 2004, but remains a valuable asset to both club and country. Chivu became captain of Ajax at the tender age of 21, going on to be skipper of Romania, a captainship he still retains. At Inter since July 2007, Chivu has also played for SM Resita, Universitatea Craiova and Roma.


Defender-- Sisenando Maicon Douglas-- Novohamburgo, Brazil-- A disciplined defender with an attacking dimension to his game, Maicon has earned himself the reputation of being the planet's finest right-back. He combines his explosive physique and refined technique to motor tirelessly up and down the flank, his overlapping runs and killer crosses posing a constant threat. Won the UEFA Defender of the Year award in 2010 for his outstanding performances in Inter's treble-winning season, and scored one of the best goals at the 2010 World Cup in Brazil's game against North Korea. Maicon joined Inter in July 2006 after four seasons at Cruzeiro in his native Brazil and two years with French side Monaco.



Midfielder-- Zanetti Javier-- Buenos Aires, Argentina-- Inter's longest-serving player by miles with over 700 appearances to his name, Zanetti joined Inter from Argentine outfit Banfield in July 1995. Adored by the fans for his long-standing commitment to the club, the evergreen, versatile Argentine can play at right-back, left-back or midfield. Solid on the ball and never shy of a tackle, the Inter captain is known for winning the ball back in his own half of the pitch and making strong runs to the opposing penalty box, hence his nickname El Tractor. A record holder for club and country, Zanetti is Argentina's most-capped player.



Midfielder-- Stankovic Dejan-- Beograd, Serbia-- A tenacious tackler with bags of personality who is as comfortable behind the strikers as he is in a more orthodox central midfield role, the Serbian international is known for taking opposing goalkeepers by surprise with his long-range blockbusters. The youngest captain in the history of Red Star Belgrade and Serbian football, he was already an idol in his native country at the age of nineteen. He is the only player to take part in three World Cups with three different countries (Yugoslavia in 1998, Serbia & Montenegro in 2006 and Serbia in 2010). Joined Inter from Lazio in January 2004.



Striker-- Samuel Eto'o Fils-- Nkon, Cameroon-- Arguably the best African player of all time, Samuel Eto'o's scoring record for club and country is second to none. A lethal finisher whose work rate is exceptional, he often played out of position in his first season at Inter but still managed to score his fair share of goals. A product of the Real Madrid youth system, Eto'o enjoyed a successful four-year spell with Real Mallorca, but it was at Barcelona where he made his name, with 108 goals in 145 games. Completed a clean sweep of trophies in his first season at Inter, becoming the only player to have won a treble of league, cup and Champions League titles with two different clubs. At international level, he won Olympic gold with Cameroon at the 2000 Olympics, has played at every Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 2000, and is the competition's all-time top scorer. Won the African Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons in 2003, 2004 and 2005.



Midfielder-- Sneijder Wesley-- Utrecht, Netherlands-- Possibly the most creative player in the squad, Sneijder is the man who links midfield to attack. Pacy and strong on the ball, the ambidextrous Dutch fantasista is famed for his stunning curling free kicks and killer passes. One of the most influential players in Inter's treble-winning side, he carried off the UEFA accolade for Best Club Midfielder of 2010. Was joint top-scorer at the 2010 World Cup, which saw Holland go all the way to the final. At Inter since August 2009, he previously played for Ajax and Real Madrid.






Striker-- Biabiany Jonathan Ludovic-- Parigi, France-- The young France Under-21 forward is one of the hottest prospects in Serie A. He joined Inter's academy in July 2004 from Paris-based amateur side Blanc Mesnil. After spells with the Under-17 and Under-19 teams he impressed on loan at Modena and Parma earning a return to Inter in the summer of 2010. Is noted for his speed, strength and dribbling abilities. Had the Modena crowd on his feet with an amazing volleyed goal against Ascoli, winning the award for best goal of the first half of the 2008/09 Serie B season. Is currently part of the France Under-21 set-up.






Midfielder-- Coutinho Correia Philippe--  Rio De Janeiro, Brazil-- At the age of just 18, Coutinho is billed as one of the best young players of his generation. With a lightning turn of pace, two quick feet and agility that leaves opposing players in his wake, he is already part of the Brazilian men's national team, having been called up for a training camp during the September international break. Scored three goals in five games for Brazil at the 2009 South American Under-17 Championship in Chile, winning his first trophy at international level. Completed his switch to Inter from Vasco de Gama in July 2010.






Striker-- Milito Diego Alberto-- Bernal, Argentina-- Nicknamed the Prince for his striking resemblance to Uruguayan star Enzo Francescoli, Milito has become a legend in his own right after scoring in all three of Inter's trophy-winning victories in 2009/10. He also won a treble of UEFA awards: Champions League final Man of the Match, Club Forward of the Year and Club Player of the Year. The quintessential penalty box fox, Milito has all the ingredients that make him one of the world's most prolific strikers: sense of timing, vision and accuracy. The consistency of his scoring is remarkable: in the last 10 years he has averaged a goal every two games. Has represented Argentina at two major tournaments: the 2007 Copa America and the 2010 World Cup.


No comments: