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

Champions League Race: A Comprehensive Breakdown

With the Champions League race going down to the wire in Serie A, the final match-day promises to make for exciting viewing. Atalanta, Inter and Milan are separated by a mere point, while the possibility of Roma sneaking in can’t be discounted either.

At the moment, it is Gasperini’s men, and Spalletti’s nerazzurri that control their own fate, while the other two sides are on the outside looking in – albeit a little too close for comfort. As entry to Europe’s elite competition promises a pitfall of cash and prestige, achieving Champions League football is of the utmost importance, and could have serious repercussions on any of these sides’ transfer windows.

Let’s being with Gasperini’s Atalanta. Against all odds, gli Orobici find themselves in third, and control their own destiny in their final game. Win, and they qualify for the Champions League. After an impressive season that saw them play high-flying football, and reach the Coppa Italia final, Atalanta could cap it off with a berth in next season’s Champions League.

While technically they are the home side for this clash, Atalanta have recently been remodelling their stadium, conveniently relocated all their remaining home games to Sassuolo. As luck would have it, Atalanta’s last game is, of course, against Sassuolo.

The neroverdi have nothing to play for, but have always proven to be a difficult opposition. However, in their first game, Gasperini’s men dispatched them rather easily, pumping six past Sassuolo. With Duvan Zapata, Alejandro Gomez, and Josip Ilicic firing on all cylinders, they should have enough to beat the “visitors”.

Inter, on the other hand, take on Empoli at the San Siro. With Empoli languishing in and around the relegation zone, the Tuscan-based outfit will be fighting for their life, and won’t be easy to overcome. In fact, Aurelio Andreazzoli’s men have been one of the league’s most in-form sides, winning their last three games. As a result, this clash won’t be as straightforward as the table suggests, and the nerazzurri will need to be at their best.

Inter’s cross-town rivals, Milan, will be travelling to the Stadio Paolo Mazza to take on SPAL 2013. After months of being in the top four, the rossoneri now find themselves in fifth, however, just one point back of Atalanta and Inter. Should Gattuso’s men claim the victory, and either of their competitors drops points, Milan will be making their long-awaited return to Champions League football. If they don’t, however, they will be kicking themselves, as they were in the driver’s seat for the most part of the season.

While Milan will need some help to qualify, at the very least, their odds are better than Roma’s. Ranieri’s men will need a small miracle to qualify on the final match-day. They’ll need to beat Parma by five clear goals, while Milan and Inter lose, and Atalanta avoid defeat. Unlikely.

Otherwise, they’ll need to win, while all of their other competitors lose their games. Another unlikely scenario. Much like Milan, Roma have themselves to blame for this, and have been dropping points to the league’s provinciali all season.

In any case, whichever way this race ends, there will be fireworks. Either Gasperini’s Atalanta cap off their phenomenal cinderella season in impressive fashion, or both Milan giants will be returning to Europe’s elite competition together. And Roma, well, best of luck. You’ll need it.

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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

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