But you didn't, and he is. So what's your point?
I'm sure you'd not heard of Bosingwa before he was linked with us? Doesn't take anything away from his ability.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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But you didn't, and he is. So what's your point?
I'm sure you'd not heard of Bosingwa before he was linked with us? Doesn't take anything away from his ability.
He's been poor in the big games for Inter this season as well though(by all accounts), don't you think?
Awful against Milan, didn't play well against Fiorentina or Juventus either. Hardly in the game, other than a few shots which went wide in each match and one nice pass.
I think the big games argument is a tough one to make, because you can't really say if the player in question isn't performing due to mental reasons or just not being good enough - sometimes it's down to the team. The big games are usually evenly matched, and the best players are targeted to be shut down - same with Ronaldo up until last season. You could make the argument that Jose's tactics in big games don't do Zlatan any favours (same with Fergie and Ronaldo). The team comes first, and Inter (I think) won all those big matches this season.
For example I struggle to think of a single Inter player who stood out against Juventus but they played their game perfectly according to Jose's tactics. The fact that Ibrahimovic was often on his own in attack was part of it, maybe?
Well yeah, it's a two way thing. It is something that he's struggled with for a while though, and I think this is because of how teams change their tactics for big games.
But I don't think that means he should be absolved of all of the blame, he needs to learn to adapt his game for the big matches, the best players can do that. He had the best chance in the game against Milan and missed it because of a surprisingly average first touch. He struggled to do anything against Juve and only really made one meaningful pass against Fiorentina. The best players should be able to make the difference in the big matches and sometimes he can't.
And no, they drew against Fiorentina and lost against Milan.
I'm being harsh on him, he did score a goal against Lazio and two goals against Roma away, so he's improved that aspect slightly.
It's pretty much the only weakness in his game nowadays.
My mistake, I only watched the Juve game out of the three.
I dunno, I just struggle with the big game argument - it's been made at some point or other against players like C Ronaldo, Henry, Torres... maybe it is just a case of adapting for Zlatan, Ronaldo at least seems to score more in big games compared to two seasons back, even if he doesn't run the show...
It will be interesting though to see if Jose keeps with 2 up front as he has done lately (although hasn't Adriano lapsed again lately?) or reverts back to his favoured system for the knock out rounds. If he has Zlatan on his own that would surely be good for us? Although the flip side is they'd be hard to break down...
My mistake, I only watched the Juve game out of the three.
I dunno, I just struggle with the big game argument - it's been made at some point or other against players like C Ronaldo, Henry, Torres... maybe it is just a case of adapting for Zlatan, Ronaldo at least seems to score more in big games compared to two seasons back, even if he doesn't run the show...
It will be interesting though to see if Jose keeps with 2 up front as he has done lately (although hasn't Adriano lapsed again lately?) or reverts back to his favoured system for the knock out rounds. If he has Zlatan on his own that would surely be good for us? Although the flip side is they'd be hard to break down...
I realised that.I think the big game argument was true at a point for Henry, but it stuck for too long. In Arsenal's run to the Champions League final he made the difference against Madrid and Juve. Ronaldo's shown he can do that now and Torres has shown that as well IMO, against Chelsea and Arsenal.
You'd think so. He really shouldn't struggle to play up top on his own, he has everything you need in a striker up top on his own - strength, pace, aerial ability and the ability to bring others into play. He can do that role if Mourinho does help teach him how to utilise his abilities in the right way, he still sometimes comes to the ball too much and doesn't stretch the defence enough, which is one of the most important parts of playing there, IMO.
But yeah, Adriano's got no chance of playing against us with him turning up to training drunk and Cruz just isn't very good so 4-5-1 is Inter's best option.
Didn't Porto win the Champions League with Benni McCarthy up front on his own? And Chelsea for two seasons with Drogba as the sole striker should have won a Champions League. If Zlatan is to make it as a sole striker you'd imagine he's got the right manager to get the best out of him.
My thoughts exactly.
Doesn't help if your two main supporting players, Mancini and Quaresma, aren't very good though.
Quaresma's always been inconsistent and was voted the worst big name player in the league this season, and Mancini's always just been consistently above average, never great.
Doesn't help if your two main supporting players, Mancini and Quaresma, aren't very good though.
Quaresma's always been inconsistent and was voted the worst big name player in the league this season, and Mancini's always just been consistently above average, never great.
FA Cup Final and CL final , you might say that Drogba was kept fairly quiete for large parts of the game but I saw enough to convince that Drogba got Vidic in trouble at times
Did Drogba cause any kind of trouble for United inside the area in the CL final? No. Because Vidic had him under his wraps.
That's not what I said.
The only trouble Drogba gave to Vidic during the final was a nice little gay slap.
Vidic dealt with Drogba in the CL final.
As for Ibra vs Milan, Maldini played a blinder and when he plays to his best no matter what day, anyone will find it tough against him.
As for Ibra vs Milan, Maldini played a blinder and when he plays to his best no matter what day, anyone will find it tough against him.
Ibra is a complete goal scorer, a la Ronaldo he doesnt need to cause problems all game to get on the scoresheet, one half chance or free kick to score. I reckon both are on the scoresheet over the course of the tie. The more I think of it I think I think it could be a shootout at OT in the 2nd leg. Although it is possible United could win it there the most likely scenario is a draw either 1-1 or 0-0. As such I reckon each team will be going for it at Old Trafford with United winning 4-2, Roon and Ron to get a couple each, and Ron to be loved and adored again
I can honestly never remember any match between the two where Vidic was troubled by Drogba. It has been 4 or 5 games between each other and Drogba has just been completely nullified. The proof of Drogba's frustration was when he slapped Vidic in the CL final.
Are Mancini and Quaresma even in the team most weeks?
Maybe it's all down to interpretation but fair enough , I understand your views and I hope you did with mine too
Hold on a bit Alex. Ibra is not exactly a goal scorer in the same class as Ronaldo. He scores goals every now and then and is definitely getting better at it, but not as sharp as Ronaldo. And the free kicks... I just sigh whenever I see Ibra step up to take it because you knoooow it won't be dangerous. I'd say one ball out of 20 is a goal from ibra. The awful thing with ibra is that you have a full time job dealing with his physics, and on top of that he's one of the most skillful dribblers in the world with an amazing playmaking brain and as if that wasn't enough I have also noticed he's so much faster this season. Basically he could get around a defender any way he likes, but that special sharpness is lacking.
Creative touch, but more a horrible job from the goalkeeper than anything else.
Our cnut* > Their cnut
*not necessarily a cnut
*not necessarily a cnut
Berba's flicks > Zlatans flicks
To be honest I don't see what was so great about that to warrant such a reaction from the commentators.
indeed.He's having a good season. Absolutely the main threat to United. Still, my gut tells me he wont perform and that United will defeat Inter.
I think United do have to go out to win this game rather than to contain the way they did Barca last season because where Barca offered no threat from set pieces you better believe Mourinho will have Inter very effective in this department.
I think United do have to go out to win this game rather than to contain the way they did Barca last season because where Barca offered no threat from set pieces you better believe Mourinho will have Inter very effective in this department.
There is a player I'll never understand, Adriano. What is wrong with him, I think if he was in right state of mind he'd be better than Zlatan.
totally different types of player. Adriano should have went on to become one of his generations top strikers, an out and out goal scorer. Strong, fast, tall with a sledge hammer of a left foot.
Unfortunately his attitude is suspect and it's been his downfall. People were always and still do question the mentality of Ibrahimovic but he has a great relationship with Mourinho and had a good one with Capello too.
Adriano doesn't seem able to stop himself from doing what he wants, he is still young enough to flurish if he gets his head down and works hard.
I dunno, Zlatan has pretty much everything in his locker. Theres not a lot I would say Adriano could top Zlatan in expect strength/power. Oh and a better left foot.
Whilst Adriano was naturally built like a bulldozer you can't underestimate the strengh of Zlatan, he has really improved his condition and when it comes to hold up play he is the best in the world.
Ibra is a more complete player, offering goals and assists and link up play to die for. Adriano at his best should offer goals goals and goals. Unfortunately he hasn't become that goal machine.
Surely shooting and heading, they would have formed the perfect attacking duo. They could still on it but it kinda depend on Adriano to up his level
1st Leg
Ibrahimovic - Adriano
V
Rio - Evans
2nd Leg
Ibrahimovic - Adriano
V
Rio - Vidic
Pick your winners.
Ibrahimovic - Adriano
V
Rio - Evans
2nd Leg
Ibrahimovic - Adriano
V
Rio - Vidic
Pick your winners.
Well on the day of the match anything can happen.
I have always been a big fan of Zlatan. He is strong, extremely technical (not just another Crouch) and owns the kind of arrogance that will only make him better.
I love watching him play. You never know what to expect from him.
I love watching him play. You never know what to expect from him.
What a goal he scored.A great lob
Reminded me of Le Tisser, brilliant goal.
Fantastic goal from Ibra today. Interesting that there are now questions being asked of his future at Inter by the Italian press -
Q "Do you want to clarify the doubts about your future at Inter?"
A "No. I only want think of winning the Scudetto, then we will see at the end of the year"
It has been alleged that in the past Zlatan's agent has leaked rumours to the media in order to secure a better contract for his client, however, what with Ibra now apparently being one of the best paid players in the world and in no need of a payrise there perhaps could be some substance in the rumours about where Zlatan will be playing next season.
Personally, I believe the time is coming for Ibrahimovic to leave Serie A and showcase his abilities to a new audience in a different country. A fresh challenge will be good for him as he has nothing left to prove at domestic level in Italian football.
Maybe Ibra has recognised that in order to give himself the best possible chance of doing himself justice in European competition (more pertinently the knockout stages of the Champions League) he must leave Inter and Italian football to join another club that has been more competitive in the latter stages of the Champions League in recent years.
There will always be an asterix against his name if he retires and hasn't proven to himself and to everyone else that he was able to make a significant impact in big European matches.
Q "Do you want to clarify the doubts about your future at Inter?"
A "No. I only want think of winning the Scudetto, then we will see at the end of the year"
It has been alleged that in the past Zlatan's agent has leaked rumours to the media in order to secure a better contract for his client, however, what with Ibra now apparently being one of the best paid players in the world and in no need of a payrise there perhaps could be some substance in the rumours about where Zlatan will be playing next season.
Personally, I believe the time is coming for Ibrahimovic to leave Serie A and showcase his abilities to a new audience in a different country. A fresh challenge will be good for him as he has nothing left to prove at domestic level in Italian football.
Maybe Ibra has recognised that in order to give himself the best possible chance of doing himself justice in European competition (more pertinently the knockout stages of the Champions League) he must leave Inter and Italian football to join another club that has been more competitive in the latter stages of the Champions League in recent years.
There will always be an asterix against his name if he retires and hasn't proven to himself and to everyone else that he was able to make a significant impact in big European matches.
He needs to go to a better team. The skill he showed in that goal though, wow. Running past players, off balance, chip on weaker foot.
Terrific ability.
Only in Serie A against pub teams (reggina, lecce, chievo...)
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