Mourinho's side told to 'give their all' as qualification beckons
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Latest in European
Related articles
On Facebook
Sport blogs
iBet: AC Milan’s lead at the top looks temporary
Juventus lost the lead of Serie A in Italy at the weekend by virtue of their game with Bologne being...
Financial strife fails to dim smiles at high-flying Rayo Vallecano
This is a club that, despite all it's off-the-field financial problems, is currently flourishing in ...
Hertha Berlin and the Skibbe saga – a depressing tale
Perhaps, in a few decades time, some German writer will transform Michael Skibbe's excruciatingly br...
After steering Internazionale to the top of Serie A, Jose Mourinho can now switch his focus to securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Inter host Panathinaikos tonight at the San Siro with the Nerazzurri needing only a draw against the Greek side to advance to the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Inter secured a 1-0 victory over an in-form Juventus on Saturday to solidify their hold on first place in Serie A. The Inter owner Massimo Moratti said: "It's time to give it our all, we absolutely can't let up. Against Panathinaikos I would like to see the Inter of Saturday evening and if that happens I'd be very optimistic about our chances of advancing. We'd like to clinch at home and it would be psychologically important to be able to go to Bremen relaxed."
Inter, with eight points, lead Group B from Anorthosis Famagusta (5), Panathinaikos (4) and Werder Bremen (3). Panathinaikos will make the trip to Milan without the injured Silva Cleyton, Bryce Moon and Sotris Leontiou.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will lead the Inter attack and is likely to be partnered by Adriano, who returned to the starting line-up against Juventus after being dropped by Mourinho for disciplinary reasons. "I'm happy Adriano has tasted again what it means to be on the field," Moratti said . "He played well against Juventus; actually, he was great."
Ibrahimovic will be looking to transfer his Serie A success to the Champions League. The striker has seven goals in the league this season but has failed to find the back of the net in the Champions League for a year.
After knee problems hampered his form at the end of last season, Ibrahimovic has started all 18 of Inter's games this year. Mourinho has already said he will rest him against Bremen next month if Inter's qualification for the last 16 has been secured.
Mourinho is still getting acquainted with his new squad and has used a different starting line-up in every Inter game this season. Midfielder Patrick Vieira may miss the game tonight due to an Achilles' tendon injury.
- 1 How Koscielny became prince of the Emirates
- 2 City team-mates welcome back Tevez
- 3 Wenger: We can become the kings of Europe
- 4 Sports caption competition winners
- 5 New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro
- 6 Wolves: The contenders to replace Mick McCarthy
- 7 James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness
- 1 How Koscielny became prince of the Emirates
- 2 Apple admits it has a human rights problem
- 3 Spotify: 1 million plays, £108 return
- 4 Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career
- 5 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 6 Police confiscate passport from Brooks' assistant
- 7 Nauru and Abkhazia: One is a destitute microstate marooned in the South Pacific, the other is a disputed former Soviet Republic 13,000km away, so why are they so keen to be friends?
- 8 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 9 Mark Steel: If religion is 'marginal', I'm the Pope
- 10 Rothschild loses libel case, and reveals secret world of money and politics
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Win a three-week coastal jaunt
Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
No secularism please, we're British
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro





Comments