Kalac the new clown in Milan

GILLAAAAARDINOOOO

  gol?

A splendid Alvaro Recoba goal gave Inter the Trofeo TIM thanks to victories over both Milan and Juventus.

The Rossoneri were in the lead for the Trofeo TIM, as they had beaten Juventus 1-0 while the Nerazzurri only defeated Claudio Ranieri’s side in a penalty shoot-out. Pippo Inzaghi made his first official appearance since the Champions League Final in Athens.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off for Inter team manager Guido Susini, who had also worked at Milan in his career, as he died this week aged 48.

Clarence Seedorf created the first chance with a backheel for Yoann Gourcuff, Paolo Orlandoni at full stretch to tip the fierce strike off target. Moments later Hernan Crespo pounced on a Dario Simic error to test Zeljko Kalac at the other end.

Milan went incredibly close on six minutes with a truly spectacular Inzaghi diving header and equally impressive Orlandoni save.

Inter introduced Mario Balotelli, a 17-year-old originally from Ghana who was adopted by an Italian family. Another youngster, Gourcuff, impressed with some fancy footwork combining with Andrea Pirlo.

There was drama at both ends, with Inzaghi’s shot charged down by Douglas Maicon and moments later Crespo threatened Kalac’s net.

Il Diavolo had a fantastic chance on 21 minutes, but Gourcuff was unlucky when Orlandoni fingertipped his fierce strike on to the inside of the post and it ricocheted back out to safety.

Marcos Cafu did hit the back of the net moments later, but it was correctly disallowed for an offside position.

It was Inter who broke the deadlock, though, as substitute Alvaro Recoba combined with Crespo and unleashed a stunning effort with that trademark left foot that floated over Kalac and into the top corner from 20 metres. The Uruguayan is expected to leave this summer and if this is his last San Siro goal, it was a pearl.

Francesco Toldo was back in goal now and parried a Pirlo free kick, while Kalac was almost taken by surprise on Balotelli’s solo effort and Nelson Rivas got in the way of Nesta’s header.

Recoba’s free kick hit the defensive wall, Attila Filkor wasted a counter-attack and Inzaghi nodded a Pirlo set-piece over the bar.

Inter won this match 1-0 and so secured the Trofeo TIM for the fifth time. Milan came second, Juventus were third.

Milan 0-1 Inter
Scorers: Recoba 28 (I)
Milan: Kalac; Cafu, Simic, Nesta, Favalli; Gattuso (Ambrosini 29), Pirlo, Gourcuff, Seedorf (Gilardino 36); Inzaghi, Aubameyang
Inter: Orlandoni (Toldo 22); Maicon, Rivas, Cordoba (Samuel 25), Burdisso (Bolzoni 25); Zanetti (Fatic 32), Cambiasso (Jimenez 32), Cesar (Filkor 32); Solari (Recoba 18); Cruz (Balotelli 15), Crespo
Ref: Damato

Something is seriously wrong with Gourcuff...

btw, just want to add, I though Yoann was immense tonight, best player on the pitch against Inter from both teams, Pirlo comes in a close second.

Looks like he's back in form

Yoann should have got a goal , he deserved 2 for the way he played cant wait to see him next match

Let's just hope he gets a start sooner, rather than later.

Let's hope they don't sign Emerson... Yoann could be great, I've always believed in him. he just needs time and I mean they way he got tonight. not as a substitute in the 70th minute. he should be a starter and little by little he'll show why he's been labeled the new Zizou 

Starting now... Who was the minute of silenzo for?

I think we played quite well in both games... I believe it all begins from the defence though and today neither quartet was working properly! Kaladze & Bonera was almost a nightmare while both Nesta and Simic made some mistakes in the second game... all our full-backs, expect for Oddo, delivered nothing! Our midfielders did fine. Pirlo was in form, Seedorf bored as usual but with some large bursts of brilliance, Gattuso ran like hell, Ambro was good defensively and even Brocchi justified (if that can be done in a single game) his place in Milan's squad. Kaka was good too. Gilardino did fine, Pippo not so and Willy... let's say I would give him some more time with the Primavera... Greatest things about tonight, is Gilardino scoring of course, but, foremost, Yoann's display! The kid was simply amazing, I can say I didn't expect his to put on such a good performance!! Well done... he's our best signing for next season (sh!t, I sound like Galliani! )!! And please... someone should listen to my prayers, let Gourcuff play instead of Seedorf against mid/low-table teams!! Please...

And... sorry for not keeping you guys and gals updated but I was watching it at a friend's...
Guido Susini... a former manager of Inter. The displayed a picture of him on the stadium's matrix in a TIM background... what a disgrace!! RIP...

By the way, hasn't TIM changed to Wind or what?? 

Guido Susini was our PR from 87 to 91, then he went to Inter where he became team manager (our is Silvano Ramaccioni - 20 years until now). He was a very friendly guy. RIP

As for TIM and WIND question: this are two different mobile companies, TIM was the first mobile companie in Italy (was or still is a part of national Telecom Italia), while Wind is much smaller private company. In Italy there is also Omnitel, which is a part of Vodafone. TIM would have changed his name only if he was bought by Wind, but this is not possible.

He can try to be Zizou all he likes, but if he head-butts Matrix, I shall send him to an early grave. 

He can try to be Zizou all he likes, but if he head-butts Matrix, I shall send him to an early grave. 

CARLO ANCELOTTI Apart from the result, I especially liked the game against Inter: there was more construction of the game, more ball possession. These were two well interpreted games. The team is improving: everything is going as expected. Tonight I saw a good work by everyone. Each one of them made a step forward. Now we start to get serious. On the 17th there is the Trofeo Berlusconi, in which we want to do well. It will be a test for the league and the European Supercup. We are doing a very good preparation, both of quality and quantity.
Gourcuff? He showed a lot of quality, which is what characterizes him. And when he succeeds to simplify his game, his qualities emerge further.
We shall have to get used to the tight marking of Kaka…He’s a very dangerous player and he’s a great show for everyone, not just for you!
Inter is a team which knows us, Juve is already a team of a good level, the mechanisms will arrive with time.

ALBERTO GILARDINO I’m satisfied about the goal and the result of the first game, and the way we played against Inter. It was important to score against Juve. It’s clear that with these current workloads we cannot be brilliant. For me, this is the first year since I’ve been at Milan  that I manage to make a complete preparation. I have the will and I will give my best.
It’s difficult to judge Inter and Juve right now, but they are surely two great teams who will put the others in difficulty. Scoring a goal for an attacker is surely important. Tonight I managed to score and I’m happy, but I must still work more to arrive at 100%.

YOANN GOURCUFF It was not easy to play against a good team like Inter. Physically it wasn’t easy because we have heavy legs. Right now in the preparation we’re starting to work on the speed. I’m happy about my preparation, but I must still work a lot. For me it’s also important to have everyone’s trust. I find myself quite well to play more forward with Seedorf, and Favalli behind; when there’s more movement upfront, for me it’s easier to play.

Juve And Milan Fans Allied Against Inter

During last night's Trofeo Tim tournament it emerged that the fans of Juventus and Milan share a common aversion for Inter.

Everyone against Inter! It did not take long to understand how the fans were arrayed in last night's triangular Trofeo Tim tournament involving the three Italian giants: Inter, Milan and Juventus.

In fact, it was almost automatic for the Juventus fans to find the perfect allies in booing off the Italian champions, in the form of their Rossoneri counterparts.

It's also worth noting that the Inter fan section was the least populated. This was because the Nerazzurri's Curva Nord fan group have decided to boycot August football matches.

Those who were there, however, did not waste time, and were quickly into launching the traditional "Serie B, Serie B" chant toward the Juve fans.

The loudest and most populated group was the black-and-white one. The Rossoneri fans were the last ones to arrive. Apparently the first clash, between their 'cousins' Inter and traditional rivals Juventus, was not quite considered appealing enough.

Those who were present during the first 'mini-match' (each lasted 45 minutes), however, predictably did not spare Zanetti and company the usual boos and whistles. The insults directed at the Bianconeri, meanwhile, began just before the second match, which saw Milan beat Juventus 1-0.

All in all, it was a case of the Milan and Juve fans both taking on Inter, and the Inter fans happy to take on both the sets as well. The good bit, of course, is that nothing turned nasty!