Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Claudio Ranieri analysed Inter‘s defeat this evening at the Stadio San Paolo; the fourth consecutive KO that leaves the Nerazzurri in seventh place in the standings and therefore far away from third place.

“We knew that Napoli were on a high after the victory over Chelsea, and that they would come at us. They played well and we let in a goal on the break from a lost ball in midfield. After they went up there were seven minutes in which Napoli were very lively, then we got charged up again but we couldn’t do it.”

The coach continued:

“Everything is done one step at a time, but now we must start winning again and find a goal, because now we’re not even managing to do that. Just think of Pazzini’s header tonight that didn’t go in.”

Another Inter game, another defeat and another shutout. The pressure continues to mount on Claudio Ranieri but he cannot take the chances that the Inter forward are missing.

With only a couple of minutes left in the game, and Napoli playing with 10-men, Nagatomo played in a terrific cross and Pazzini, who was unmarked and six yards from goal, somehow managed to head the ball wide. A horrible miss and a chance that you know that Samuel Eto’o would have buried. But without him, Inter are toothless in attack and it is really difficult to win games is you cannot score!

After leaking goals, Inter have put in two really solid defensive performances this week away from home; at Marseille and Napoli. Unfortunately they have lost both games 1-0 due to their inability to score.

And strangely that gives me hope. When Inter we conceding 4 goals a game it as hard to see how Inter could turn things around. But when you are only giving up one goal, you know that if you can figure out how to score you are suddenly back in the business of winning football games.

But that might come too late for Ranieri and Inter’s European hopes. Inter are now 9 points behind Udinese for that third and final Champions League spot. More importantly, there are now three other teams between Inter and Udinese, meaning that it will be really difficult for Inter to climb over all of them.

Once again Wesley Sneijder was poor and Ranieri dragged him off at the start of the second half. I am really curious to see how Sneijder plays for Holland against England on Wednesday. If he plays well, that would indicate that he just does not fit into Ranieri’s system. If he is poor, then maybe his loss of form is real.

What did you think of Inter’s performance today?

“I was happy with the team and even the French press wrote that Marseille robbed us, so that says it all.” In his press conference ahead of Napoli v Inter, Claudio Ranieri started by talking about the Champions League defeat on Wednesday to analyse a moment “when nothing is going right” for Nerazzurri.

The coach continued:

“I’m pleased with the character the side showed at the Vélodrome. Conceding a goal the way we did was a massive blow but we must carry on exactly as we’ve been doing, showing personality, determination and a desire to turn things around. I’m delighted with everyone who played against Marseille. We did lots of running, maybe we had a bit of a problem because of the tension we feel at the moment; we’re afraid of being hit on the break, but that never happened.”

Claudio Ranieri has seen lots of things in his career, but as the coach himself admitted:

“I have never known a run like this, with six defeats in a row. Honestly. Is this the most difficult period I’ve ever had? No, because when I arrived the team was in very, very bad shape. Now we’re a point behind Napoli, whose morale is sky high while we’re coming off the back of six consecutive defeats. If we’d won one and lost another it would be different, but at the moment it’s just a baffling situation, even though these lads are full of desire and determination. Just look at the way they went at Marseille, a side that hasn’t lost a game since November.”

Ranieri is not worried about his own future:

“I don’t feel my job is at risk. I know the club have confidence in me, I know where I picked this team up at the start of my time here and I know where I’m taking them. There is always light after the dark. Things can only get better. I feel I have lots of backing, even in the press, but we know that in Italy coaches are always talked about. I was told that some of the French journalists were amazed at the way I was criticised after the defeat and at how calm I remained. That’s why people wonder if foreign coaches have what it takes to hack it in Italy. We’re very critical and I’m one of those people who believes that criticism is necessary. Of course, you also have to be a balanced person to understand which criticism is constructive and which isn’t.”

On his relationship with Massimo Moratti:

“I often talk to him and he too was happy with the team’s performance in Marseille. He was obviously disappointed to lose and today he told us about the way he feels: he wants to see a reaction and we’re going to give him one.”

The coach was quizzed about some of the stories and rumours doing the rounds:

“I’m only thinking about tomorrow’s match, I’m used to this sort of game. Was Milito furious with me for not picking him against Marseille? That was something I couldn’t understand so I asked him and he said it was all false; that if he has something to say to me he will come and say it. He wasn’t upset. I’ve always shown faith in him even to the point of getting criticised for it.”

Ranieri was asked whether Pep Guardiola would be a suitable coach for a team like Inter:

“There are lots of coaches that are suitable for Inter, but the main thing is to let them do their jobs in peace. He spent time in Italy as a player but I think his problem is the pressure he feels at home, in Barcelona, so if you can handle that you can handle anything anywhere.”

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has not lost faith in coach Claudio Ranieri despite the team’s dismal run of form heading into Sunday’s game at Napoli.

The Nerazzurri have fallen to seventh place in Serie A and last week’s 3-0 defeat against Bologna was Inter‘s fourth loss in five league games and piled further pressure on Ranieri.

When asked about Ranieri’s status at the club, Moratti said to www.inter.it.:

“Yes we will continue with Ranieri. We will continue to move forward (with him).”

Ranieri is confident his side can end the rot this weekend.

“We only need to be more determined, more willing and positive in order to come out of this situation,” Ranieri said. “We will do it.”

The Nerazzurri travel to the San Paolo stadium six points behind third-place Udinese, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Rivals Napoli are one place and one point clear of their opponents on Sunday. Napoli go into the encounter with a full head of steam after Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

“It was a magical night,” Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi said. ”But we still have to play the second leg and we have to remain humble. Now our focus in in Sunday’s game against Inter, which will be a difficult one.”

The hosts will be without striker Marek Hamsik, who serves a one-match ban. Goran Pandev is expected to replace him and play alongside Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani up front.

Inter are without suspended striker Luc Castaignos and injured defender Maicon.

The headlines say that Inter was second’s away from getting a 0-0 draw at Marseille last night, what is unsaid is that Inter once again failed to score, and except for a first half chance that Forlan put over the bar, never seriously looked like scoring all night.

Ranieri
Ranieri started with a surprising formation: no 4-4-2, no Milito, no Pazzini. The team started in a 4-3-1-2 with Forlan the focus of the attack, Zarate in support giving width on the left and Sneijder in his natural role. In this formation Inter looked much better defensively than they have in weeks, and Julio Cesar had a pretty easy night of it. So positive marks for that.

What I did not understand is why with 15 minutes to go Ranieri did not take of Forlan, who had run himself into the ground, and bring on Milito as Inter needed a goal. A 0-0 draw in the first leg is pretty meaningless. The goal is to get a valuable away goal, but Ranieri was not brave enough to make that change.

Zarate
Zarate was shockingly bad. It was clear why he has only started once game since 27nd November. He tried to beat his man but he failed to do it all night, his decisions were always the wrong ones and he missed a good opportunity when Cambiasso found him in the area. The big question then is why did Ranieri start him in such a big game?

Chivu
Shocking defending on the Marseille goal, especially when the corner was going to be Marseille’s last attack of the game. You simply cannot lose your man in that situation

Sneider
What is going on with Wesley Senijder? Even in his preferred role behind the striker, he is not influencing games like he used too? Is he just going through a bad patch of form, or does he just want to leave Inter?

“It was a shock,” were ClaudioRanieri‘s opening words at the end of the match between Olympique Marseille and Inter. “The match seemed to be heading for a 0-0. They had only really looked dangerous at the start of the match; after that we were largely in control, we kept hold of the ball, we moved it around well. And then… But this team deserves to complete the comeback in a full Stadio Meazza, with the crowd putting the wind in our sails,” declared the coach, calling the Nerazzurri faithful to get behind the side.

“It doesn’t end here, there are still 90 minutes to play. What will we do in the return leg? Go on the attack… patiently,” Ranieri stressed, before analysing his selection choices up front: “I needed players with technical ability who could surprise the opponents with their skill on the ground. That’s why I went with Sneijder, Zarate and Forlan: I needed agile players. With Pazzini I would have needed men playing more down the wings to provide him with decent service, while Milito hasn’t been well all week. The game went as I expected it would; what I expected to see happen did happen – except for us scoring. Julio Cesar only made one save from a corner and then they went and scored. Inter can’t find the net at the moment? It’s true, we haven’t scored for a long time: we must work even harder.”

The coach continued: “The lads know they played well. It’s difficult to turn it around now but Inter are capable of scoring two goals at home. Afraid? No. The result is against us at the moment but the team is determined and we’ll get out of it. I’m sorry for the result but it was a positive game. We weren’t able to take advantage of the openings we created but the lads have plenty of experience in picking themselves up and knuckling down; only by trying to be even more determined, hard-working and positive can we get out of this. And we will. Sneijder? He played well.”

The coach was then asked for an injury update on Maicon, who was substituted at half time: “Maicon was having problems with his knee; now we’ll evaluate him properly.”

nter Milan carried their poor league form into the Champions League as the Italian outfit were defeated by Marseille with a late goal from Andrew Ayew at Vellodrome.

The result was obviously disappointing for the Nerazzurri who were actually very close in earning a pretty precious point if not for defensive mistake right at the dead which allowed the home team to knick a goal.

Coming into the game carrying consecutive defeats in Serie A, Claudio Ranieri, opted a rather cautious approach to the game by fielding a single striker formation supported by an attacking midfielder in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Moreover, the tactician also picked experienced players to handle the pressure as Inter reportedly fielded an averagely the oldest side in this year’s Champions League, with 32 years old in total.

Playing a cautious game, things seemingly looking pretty well for Inter as they managed to hold down the home side’s aggressiveness while creating some chances through the likes of Diego Forlan and Wesley Sneijder. It was a pretty even match as the result of the first half pretty much represents the equality as both sides are forced to end the period with a 0-0 draw without much special goal mouth action happening.

Marseille improved their attacking play in the second period though as they poured down the pressure towards the Nerazzurri flanks, forcing Ranieri to make a more defensive move by taking off Zarate for Joel Obi. Things seemingly looked solid for Inter until the final 90 as the draw result could be taken home but Ayew simply blew all of the plan away after his glancing header slotted into Julio Cesar’s net without any problem.

The result simply left a bitter taste for Inter, mainly Ranieri who was opting for the cautious approach in order to get away with something positive so his players can eventually rebuilt their current mental problem. However, things looking even more difficult at the moment for the Nerazzurri especially since they will be facing Napoli in Serie A this weekend, a rather difficult task in their attempt to simply break away from the current bad spell.

Match Reports

Marseille v Inter 1-0
Goal: Ayew 93 (Marseille)

Olympique Marseille: Mandanda; Azpilicueta (Fanni 80), Diawara, N’Koulou, Morel; Diarra, Cheyrou (Kabore 83); Amalfitano, Valbuena, A Ayew; Brandao (J Ayew 72)
Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon (Nagatomo 46), Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Zarate (Obi 63); Sneijder; Forlan

Some big decisions for Claudio Ranieri tonight in the Champions League tie against Marseille. What line-up and formation will he use, since it appears that he has everyone available for selection?

Starting at the back, Inter have been woeful defensively since the derby, conceding 12 goals in the last 4 matches and no clean sheets. Having Walter Samuel back in the heart of the Inter defence to partner Lucio will be huge.

The big question after that is what formation does Ranieri go with? I expect him to go back to the formation that he used when Inter were on that seven game winning streak, which was 4-4-2. That formation gave Inter’s aging back-four the cover it needed, and also provided enough support to the two strikers. You will remember that Inter were winning all those games without Senijder, who was injured at the time, and I expect him to start the game on the bench tonight

The other big question is who are the two strikers? If Milito has recovered from the flu he has to be one, with Ranieri then deciding between Pazzini and Forlan. If Milito has not completely recovered, then expect him to join Sneijder on the sidelines.

What do you think will be the Inter formation tonight?

Inter technical director Marco Branca gave a brief interview to Sky Sport Italia tonight and was asked if he believed the team had come to the end of a cycle:

“It’s a bit premature to say that,” Branca replied. “And of course it’s something that would be discussed within the club and not in public. But we shouldn’t forget that before this run of negative results there were lots of good results. Then we lost a few games, some of which were against teams that weren’t entirely irresistible. We also ended up drawing one in quite a shocking way so there has been a bit of a dip in confidence. Now we have to get that back again.”

Quizzed about tomorrow’s line-up, the Nerazzurri technical director replied:

“It’s up to the coach to decide who plays.” The focus was then turned to Wesley Sneijder, in the light of comments made by Marco van Basten: “Sneijder’s season, like Forlan’s, has been affected by a series of injuries. He’s played the last few games and he hasn’t been far off the level of his team-mates. Van Basten spoke very well of him from a technical point of view but had a few things to say about his performances. I don’t agree. In this period everyone feels they have the right to pass judgement on Inter’s players, on our games, on the future, on building a team, on the team’s age, on all sorts of things. I say that Wes is a great player. Then of course players must prove that game in game out, everyone knows that, we know it and Wesley knows it too.”

 

Here are some comments from today’s press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Marseille.

“I’ve said it lots of times that this team is neither past it nor ill. They can have moments of fatigue, though, and they have all coincided with the league. Hopefully now that we have the Champions League we’ll see the return of the champions and their pride.”

“I had hoped to be coming into this match on the back of a different sort of run,” the coach explained. “I knew I had to integrate quality players into the side and that would mean a certain amount of difficulty but I hoped we might be able to achieve it more quickly, carried on the wave of enthusiasm of good results. In any case, it’s quite natural to get high and low points in a league season. It’s happening to Inter but we’re not alone; it’s happening in Italy and abroad too: apart from Juventus and AC Milan there’s a group of teams that are producing inconsistent results and performances.”

Ranieri was asked about Diego Forlan, who was sat beside him in the pre-match press conference:

“Forlan can play in lots of different positions even though he’s a centre forward. He can do that because he’s an intelligent player and he knows how to read the game and certain situations.”