TheDailySoccerNews.com

1. Commit ‘Robbery’

The enterprising duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery started together for only the 10th time in the Bundesliga as Bayern overcame Mainz at the weekend. In ‘Robbery’, FC Hollywood have two of the finest wingers in the world. Robben is the quicker of the two, Ribery the more subtle. Each is a potential matchwinner. It is an encouraging bonus for Louis van Gaal to  be able to call upon the pair for the first time in the competition this season. Bayern utilise Robben and Ribery as inverted wide-men, meaning that the opposition full-backs will be forced to defend on the wrong foot should either of Bayern’s fliers get hold of the ball in the right areas. They carry a significant goal-threat of their own as well as the capabilities to conjure scoring chances for others. FCB will not come to San Siro with the intention to defend - they have not got the resolve to do so - and will instead be reliant on their formidable offensive threats, chiefly Robben and Ribery. If the German side’s midfield and backline could move the ball quickly to the flanks it would increase the chance of a vital away goal being plundered. (continue reading…)

Inter Milan have named Leonardo as their new coach in succession to the sacked Rafael Benitez.

The appointment was confirmed in a statement on the Italian club’s official website.

“Leonardo has just signed a contract with Inter until June 30, 2012,” it read.

“Everybody at Inter wishes to welcome Leonardo. He will take charge from December 29 when training resumes. The club will make an announcement over the next few days regarding his official presentation.

“We are sure that with his class, experience and winning mentality the club and the team can achieve the results that everyone at Inter and all the Inter fans want to see.”
Leonardo, 41, was a member of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning squad, but spent a season in charge of Inter’s bitter city rivals AC Milan after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, who went to English Premier League Chelsea.

He spent four years with Milan as a player and then seven as part of the coaching staff, before succeeding Ancelotti. (continue reading…)

Confusion continued to surround Rafael Benitez’s future as coach of Inter Milan last night.

Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti insisted the Spaniard was still in charge as further reports emerged that he has been sacked.

Speculation regarding Benitez has only intensified since he called on the club to back him or sack him following their FIFA Club World Cup triumph, comments Moratti did not take well.

The club president attended a meeting last night at the club’s offices in Milan, and said Benitez was still the coach when he emerged.

Asked if Benitez was still in charge, Moratti said: “Yes, yes. There are no other thoughts. I have heard of and read about contacts being made with other coaches, but the club has not made contact with any other coach and will not until the situation is clarified.” (continue reading…)

This is an early kickoff on Friday night and both sides having suffered a drop in form will want to get the better of each other here when they clash at the Olimpico Stadium.

Lazio will welcome the visit of Inter Milan whom they have failed to beat in 13 attempts. Lazio could only draw with Catania in their last match and that could have been far more worse if Catania’s strikers took their chances well on the night.

Lazio only managed to collect 5 points from their last 15 points available to them and the likes of the likes of Stefano Mauri, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Cristian Ledesma and Cristian Brocchi have not been performing to their true abilities. Sergio Floccari is also a striker who have not been getting the goals and is a cause for concern despite scoring five goals. Meanwhile, Mauro Zarate and Hernanes are averaging one shot on target roughly every 60 minutes. (continue reading…)

Match of the week as Inter Milan faces A.C Milan in the Milan derby with everything to play for as Milan are top of the table, Inter in crisis and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning to face his former club.

A.C Milan have reinforced their squad and brought in former Inter hero Ibrahimovic, who will be guaranteed a hot reception here no doubt. All eyes will be on him as he only scored twice for Inter in the derby. He will shoulder more burden here as Alexandre Pato and Pippo Inzaghi are out of action. Both limped off on Wednesday evening and the veteran?s season is effectively over after knee ligament surgery.

Ronaldinho could return to the team after he was dropped for the wins over Bari and Palermo. If he does not return, Clarence Seedorf another ex-Inter star can keep his place in the side. Robinho scored in midweek but missed several open chances that came his way. Andrea Pirlo also joined Milan from Inter many years ago but he is rated doubtful for this clash after picking up a thigh problem before the Palermo game. (continue reading…)

Inter are believed to be tending towards making a move for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, as Walter Samuel is sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The 32-year-old sustained ligament damage to his knee during the recent 1-1 draw with Brescia, and scans later revealed that he will not play any part in the club’s plans for the rest of the season.

Rafael Benitez now has one less defender in his pool of choices, and The Mirror reports that the Dane appears to be his first-choice as a replacement for the injured defender.

But for his part, the left-footed Red has himself missed a significant part of this term owing to a calf injury, but it has been reported that Benitez believes that the player will recover from his problem before January.

Agger has made six league appearances for Liverpool this season.

TOTTENHAM

Tottenham come into this Champions League fixture against the defending champions on a low, thanks to Nani, whose goal for Manchester United this weekend was not without controversy. Having watched Nani handle the ball, the Spurs keeper rolled it out for a kick, only to have Nani score into an open net because the ball was still in play. Anyway, 2-0 the final result and the last time Spurs actually won at Old Trafford was before Gareth Bale was born!

It didn’t go so well for Tottenham in the last Champions League game either, in Milan against these very opponents. Finding themselves 4-0 down early, Spurs fought back, but you don’t get extra points for a 4-3 loss. Still, the tournaments newest competitors from London are in 2nd place in this group, and with a win here can make their chances of getting to the next round a whole lot better. (continue reading…)

Inter  president Massimo Moratti has likened Rafael Benitez to former boss Jose Mourinho.

Plenty is expected from Benitez after Mourinho turned the Italian giants into treble winners in just two years at the club.

“Benitez is a serious coach. I am getting to know him day after day and I admire him plenty,” Moratti told the press.

“He is a great professional and has important qualities. He is a hard worker. It was the characterisitic I like most in Mourinho. Benitez has it too.

“He also has a manager spirit. He thinks about today, but also tomorrow.

“He is a little different to Mourinho, but I had always said I did not want an imitation.”?

Samuel Eto’o took advantage of generous Werder Bremen defending to score a hat-trick as Inter Milan’s 4-0 Champions League win turned into a practice match for the holders on Wednesday.

The Cameroon striker, as lively as his bright yellow boots, has been outstanding this term and took his season’s tally to 11 goals in all competitions, while also helping set up Wesley Sneijder for the other goal.

So often forced to play wide and sacrifice himself for the team last season under Jose Mourinho, Eto’o has been thriving again, while strike partner Diego Milito has struggled following his heroics during last term’s treble.

“I’m happy to win now as an attacker having played last year as a defender,” Eto’o joked to reporters, having earlier celebrated his third by taking a picture with a pitchside photographer’s camera. (continue reading…)