Inter Milan vs Lecce - Highlights

Inter made it four from four with a 4-1 victory over Lecce. Despite going behind early the Milan side recovered to put four past Lecce and cement their spot near the top of the Serie A going into Christmas.

Supercoppa Italiana: AC Milan vs. Inter Milan Player Ratings

In what was a great curtain raiser for the upcoming Serie A season, I will take a look at how I think the respective players from each side of Milan performed. All scores are out of 10, with a perfect 10 denoting the best individual performance I have ever seen in a football match.






AC MILAN

Player	Rating	Goals + Cards	Minutes Played
Christian Abbiati	6	0;0	90 minutes
Gianluca Zambrotta	6	0;1 yellow	90 minutes
Alessandro Nesta	6	0;0	90 minutes
Thiago Silva	6.5	0;0	90 minutes
Ignazio Abate	6	0;0	90 minutes
Clarence Seedorf	7	0;0	90 minutes
Mark van Bommel	6	0;0	90 minutes
Gennaro Ivan Gattuso	5	0;1 yellow	75 minutes
Kevin-Prince Boateng	7	1 goal;1 yellow	82 minutes
Zlatan Ibrahimovic	7.5	1 goal;0	90 minutes
Robinho	5.5	0;0	62 minutes
Urby Emanuelson	>10min	0;0	8 minutes
Massimo Ambrosini	>10min	0;1 yellow	15 minutes
Alexandre Pato	7	0;0	28 minutes

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Very quiet in the first half, except for a header that ended up hitting the post. In the second half however, he was on fire. He played brilliant interchange passing with the likes of Robinho, Seedorf and Boateng. Ended up scoring the goal to equalise, eventually taking Milan to victory. Great start to the season for the Sweedish International


INTER MILAN

Player	Rating	Goals + Cards	Minutes Played
Julio César	6.5	0;0	90 minutes
Cristian Chivu	5	0;0	90 minutes
Walter Adrian Samuel	6	0;0	90 minutes
Andrea Ranocchia	6	0;0	90 minutes
Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez	7	0;0	63 minutes
Thiago Motta	6	0;0	90 minutes
Obi	7	0;0	82 minutes
Dejan Stankovic	6	0;0	74 minutes
Javier Adelmar Zanetti	5.5	0;0	90 minutes
Eto'o	6	0;0	90 minutes
Wesley Sneijder	7.5	1 goal;1 yellow	90 minutes
Marco Faraoni	6	0;0	27 minutes
Giampaolo Pazzini	6	0;0	16 minutes
Luc Castaignos	>10mins	0;0	8 minutes

Wesley Sneijder: What a free kick! Sneijder looked to be having a phenomenal game in the first half. Seemingly untouchable as he guided Inter around the park. At times he had up to five Milan defenders on him. A little quieter in the second half, but still a force to be reckoned with. Don't be surprised to see Inter add an extra few million euros to his price tag after that goal.

Final Score: AC Milan 2:1 Inter Milan
Still much work to be done by both sides but positive signs on both ends.
What did you think of the ratings? Did you agree with them?

Ferguson has "no real interest" in signing Wesley Sneijder

After weeks of discussion and rumour, Sir Alex Feguson has come out and denied that Manchester United are in the hunt for Wesley Sneijder. The statements come after Ferguson was questioned about the replacement of Paul Scholes and the likelihood of Sneijder filling the role.

Ferguson is quoted as saying "I keep reading about this, there's absolutely nothing at all to that";"first of all I don't think Inter are prepared to sell him. You get conjecture and you get speculation every week unfortunately." It is believed that the €40 million price tag, combined with the extremely high wage demands of Sneijder have proved to much for United. The question of whether they were ever in the hunt for a replacement for Scholes still remains. Luka Modric may be on the cards as well as a host of other names.

Although one must not forget the face that United have already signed David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young this window. The signings push Manchester's total spending to way over €50 which was the intended limit. It would certainly seem by the way that Ferguson answered to the rumours would suggest that United are not pursuing, and were never pursuing him.

Wesley Sneijder still has a few years left on his contract at Inter, and to jump ship after one below average season (mind you they did win two trophies), would certainly question his loyalty to a club which has propelled him onto the world stage.

Ferguson concluded that there was "nothing imminent" in terms of transfers for the remainder of the window. Perhaps, investing the money in the youth of United would be the correct move?
Would you sign Sneijder?

Wesley Sneijder "loves Inter" but likes United

Dutch superstar Wesley Sneijder has speculated about his future, possibly opening up an opportunity for a move abroad. Sneijder had a lacklustre season with Inter finishing second and bundling out of Europe early. Inter are clearly in a transition phase and with that phase will surely come a host of new players, and a host of those leaving. Although Inter would love to retain their number 10, a large some of money plus some "divine intervention" could see him move to the EPL, most notably Manchester United.

United have so often lacked that final pass, especially evident in the Champions League where they were torn apart by a near perfect Barcelona defence matched by a superb attack. Sneijder would provide that crucial link for the Devils, adding not only that pass, but also a presence, which for a longtime now, has been lacking at United - admist their success.

Since Sneijder's move from Madrid in 2009 he has been instrumental in guiding Inter to trophies, including the treble in 2010. The 27 year old will not come cheap though, something United will have to consider when choosing whether to pursue Modric and Young or go all out for Sneijder.

He would surely be a fantastic edition to the United squad.

Could Ronaldo be on the move....... again?

He's won next to nearly everything a top level player could want (except a World Cup), but Ronaldo still wants more. This time its Milan calling the 80 million dollar man. With Silvio Berlusconi stating that he would love to have Ronaldo at Milan, and considering the number of stars that the Rossoneri have lured to Milan, Ronaldo would not seem out of place.

The Portugese attacker has certainly made his mark at Madrid scoring 54 goals in 57 appearances. But Madrid would be very reluctant to let go, especially if Los Blancos are not delivered a Champions League title this year, or a La Liga title for that matter.

In the summer Milan had completed a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but his time could be up at the end of this season, since he was only secured on a loan deal. This could make way for Ronaldo who could easily slot into his position.

Ronaldo has stated that he is very much at home in Madrid and enjoys playing in the La Liga. Coach Jose Mourinho was quoted midweek as saying "if Ronaldo moves, I will move too, but not with him". Mourinho was linked with a return to Inter but these claims were quickly rubbished.

Madrid sit second on the table, far adrift from Barcelona who look to have secured the La Liga. Their focus is on the Champions League where they are ever so close to qualifying for the Semi Finals, which would set up a historic clash with Barcelona.

Video - Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic's amazing goal for Inter Milan against FC Schalke 04

Despite the fact that the defending champions of Europe came to a crushing 5 - 2 defeat at home to German side FC Schalke 04, many will not forget the amazing volley that Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic scored for Inter Milan.


After FC Schalke 04 keeper Manuel Neuer rushed out to head clear the ball, Stankovic from halfway pulled out an amazing volley that deceived everyone and landed squarely in the back of the FC Schalke 04 net.

This is to say it happened less than a minute into the opening half of the game. FC Schalke 04 went on to win 2 - 5 thanks to a goal from Raul, an own goal by Andrea Ranocchia and a brace from Brazilian ace Edu.

Watch the incredible goal from the Serbian midfielder

Inter Milan need a miracle to progress to the quarter finals of Europe's most prestigious league.