Handanović relieved to secure Champions League berth

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Samir Handanović spoke to Inter TV in the immediate aftermath of the Nerazzurri’s crucial 2-1 victory over Empoli last night. The Nerazzurri captain once again turned in a superb performance, making several critical saves before Radja Nainggolan scored a typically late winner in front of a packed San Siro. Here is what the Slovenian had to say: Continue reading

Nainggolan thanks Inter fans for their unwavering support

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Radja Nainggolan spoke to the media in the immediate aftermath of Inter’s 2-1 victory over Empoli last night, which secured their passage to the group stage of next season’s UEFA Champions League. Indeed, the Belgian scored the goal which ultimately allowed the Nerazzurri to achieve their main objective, but reserved special praise for the club’s fans for their support throughout the match. Here is what he had to say: Continue reading

Spalletti delighted by Inter’s never say die attitude

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Luciano Spalletti spoke to the media in the aftermath of last night’s 2-1 victory over Empoli, which allowed Inter to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage. The Tuscan coach was very pleased by his players’ willingness to fight until the end and overcoming the nerves and tension within the confines of San Siro. Here is what he had to say: Continue reading

Spalletti warns Inter players to roll up their sleeves against Empoli

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Luciano Spalletti spoke to the media in the aftermath of Inter’s 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Napoli last night. While keen to stress that qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage remains in the Nerazzurri’s hands, the Tuscan tactician did not hold back when asked what went wrong for his side at the Stadio San Paolo. Here is what he had to say: Continue reading

Spalletti full of praise for Icardi and Lautaro ahead of Napoli showdown

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Luciano Spalletti held his traditional pre-match press conference ahead of Inter’s crucial Serie A match against Napoli tomorrow night. It is clear the 60-year-old Tuscan is under no illusions about how tough an encounter it will be, while he was also full of praise for Argentine duo Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martínez. Here is what he said to the journalists who gathered at the Suning Training Centre earlier this afternoon: Continue reading

Škriniar happy and proud to extend Inter contract

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On the day he extended his Inter contract until the summer of 2023, Milan Škriniar spoke of his delight to Sky Sport and Inter TV. Here is what the Slovak defender had to say: “It’s a great milestone for me, I’m very happy to have extended my contract with Inter and I’m proud that I’ll be able to wear this shirt in the future. I want to thank the club and the fans for the confidence that they’ve always shown in me. Continue reading

Bargain Hunting: Three Relegation Bound Players

With the Serie A season coming to a close, many of the league’s relegation-bound sides will be putting their best players on the market. Needing to trim their wage bill, some players will be available cheaply, opening the room for bargains. Every year there’s a few players that stick out from the rest, and frankly deserve better than a season in Italy’s second division. Here are three players who might be worth a look into for Italy’s mid-table sides.

Chievo – Mariusz Stepinski (Striker)

In his second season in Italian football, Stepinski has grown immensely as a forward, and has done his best to lead Chievo’s misfiring front-line. While goals proved hard to come by in Verona this season, the Polish forward found the back of the net six times, two of which came in the early goings of the year against Juventus and Roma.

At just 24 years old, Stepinski deserves another shot at top flight football, albeit with a more progressive side. Simply put, any side in the bottom half of the table could make do with his services.

Midfielder Sofian Kiyine could also be of interest to sides looking to bolster their midfield with youth, and has demonstrated he’s more than capable of holding his own.

Empoli – Ismael Bennacer (Center Midfield) 

The Empoli midfielder has been in sensational form this season, and has done exceptionally well at the heart of the Tuscan’s midfield. Bennacer has proven equally capable of shielding the back four, as he is spreading the ball as evidenced through his five assists, and is undoubtedly ready for a bigger club. With many of Serie A’s sides missing a link between attack and defence, the Algerian could prove to be an under-the-radar, low-cost option.

However, English giants Arsenal reportedly have a lowly 6 million euros buy-back clause in the 21-year-old’s contract, and are worth monitoring themselves. With Empoli’s Serie A status in doubt, expect Bennacer to be on the move come summertime.

Teammate Francesco Caputo, and his 15 goals, are also worth mentioning, but his age may prove to be a deterrent for most sides. In any case, the striker could prove to be an interesting option for the newly-promoted sides.

Frosinone – Camillo Ciano (Attacking Midfielder)

With Frosinone going down to Serie B, many of their players will be available rather cheaply. While loanees Francesco Cassata, and Andrea Pinamonti are of great interest, they will return to their parent clubs Sassuolo and Inter respectively. If either is available again, they should definitely be made priorities. However, Serie A’s mid-table to lower tier sides would be wise to focus their attention on attacking midfielder Camillo Ciano. 

The 29-year-old has proven effective in a front two, and is versatile enough to play behind the striker as well. His seven goals and four assists illustrate he’s worthy of Italy’s top flight, and will undoubtedly be on the radar of the newly-promoted outfits looking for goals, and creativity in the final third. As he is nearing 30 years old, Ciano could prove to be a bargain.

Sportiello is worthy of consideration, as well, but is coming off one of his poorer seasons since establishing himself as a number one within Italy.

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Spalletti insists Inter are fully-focused on securing Champions League berth

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Luciano Spalletti spoke to the media ahead of Inter’s crucial Serie A match against Chievo tomorrow night. Here is what the 60-year-old said to the journalists who gathered at the Suning Training Centre earlier this afternoon: Continue reading

Chievo clash is an absolute must win for Inter

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Just under 12 months ago, Inter secured their long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League group stage thanks to the most dramatic of late turnarounds against fellow hopefuls Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite being comfortably in third place for the vast majority of the current campaign, the Nerazzurri have once again shown an unenviable desire to make life difficult for themselves. Indeed, with three games remaining this season, qualification for next season’s edition of Europe’s premier club competition looks far from certain though, crucially, Inter’s fate still very much in their own hands. Continue reading

Ranocchia insists Inter must always aim to be the best

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Having recently extended his contract with Inter until the summer of 2021, Andrea Ranocchia discussed his passion for the Nerazzurri colours during an interview with Sky Sport earlier this week. Here is what the Italian defender had to say about his love of the club and the race to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage: Continue reading