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Sunday July 22 2012

Trofeo TIM tales

It’s only the Trofeo TIM, but Susy Campanale already saw pointers for Inter, Juventus and Milan.

The traditional summer tournament kicked off the new season last night on possibly the world’s worst pitch. The Stadio San Nicola in Bari is unaccustomed to top flight football, but even then there was no excuse for this vegetable patch of a playing surface. Martin Caceres and Simone Pepe paid the price, going off injured with a badly sprained knee and thigh strain respectively, while Lucio hopes the turf was to blame for his two defensive howlers.

All in all, it was not a great tournament for Juventus – despite the front page of today’s Tuttosport making it look as if they had won it. Injuries, Lucio not only slow but also surprisingly poor in the air, a chronic inability to finish off chances, scoring only with a soft penalty and worst of all Mirko Vucinic taking style tips from Marco Borriello. Please let’s hope the moustache, side-parting and floppy fringe is not going to become some sort of bizarre football fashion statement.

The Trofeo TIM highlighted how Juve desperately need a world class striker. They cannot compete in the Champions League and Serie A if they continue to waste scoring opportunities, something that was already apparent even in the Scudetto-winning campaign. These performances fuelled calls for Robin Van Persie or Stevan Jovetic to be drafted in, though I can’t help but wonder why Robert Lewandowski is not more of a target than Mattia Destro.

If Juve fans are a little concerned, then Milanisti are getting out the pitchforks and preparing to storm the castle. It’s a bad sign when your own supporters start legal action to get their season tickets reimbursed, accusing the club of ‘false advertising.’ Perhaps using Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva in the ad campaign was not the wisest choice... Many internationals are still away, but the fact remains this Rossoneri side looks more likely to compete for a Europa League spot than the Scudetto. “Some players have left and for now I can only work with the elements at my disposal,” said an increasingly desperate Massimiliano Allegri. The lack of options was obvious all over the park and it’ll take more than three free transfers to get this side going.

Inter can enjoy the Trofeo TIM, as they have done eight times in the total 12 editions. Their success was somewhat predictable considering their season begins on August 2 with the Europa League preliminary round. Andrea Stramaccioni gets his first pre-season to work with a senior team and has impressed with his maturity and tactical acumen. Rodrigo Palacio and his ludicrous pleated rat-tail of a hairstyle are settling in quickly, while at last someone might be able to get the best out of Philippe Coutinho in Serie A.

Of the three sides, the Nerazzurri are the ones who already appear to have a set identity, as Juve could still change radically depending on what type of striker they bring in. If the Bianconeri could go from seventh place to Scudetto winners in a year, why not Strama’s Inter?

Have your say...

Gaetano

Quite simply the best team in Italy is the Team with 30 sul campo on it's Jersey as it's frivolous to suggest your team his team her team or my team will win year after year It's Italy not Spain or Scotland.

They have proven to be the most successful in Italy Period.

This TIM cup is just a kick about competition and Italians attitude to second tier competitions is well documented already.

Juve & Milan seasons start later than Inter and the results clearly demonstrate that Inter start sooner.

on the 24th July, 2012 at 11:38am

Rajiv

Milan need to build up their defense <--- Captain Obvious.

But serious, if they do that, and Pato can stay healthy, I think they can qualify for the Champion's League next year. Also, maybe Stephen El Shaarawy's breakout year? I certainly hope so.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 9:06pm

Anonymous

When someone like Suzy who consistently writes article against Inter, now saying Inter is on the right track. It means something. We know that Juve is still team to beat this season... but be ready Inter is just around the corner.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 1:55pm

Juventus

Juve should get Fernando Torres and not RVP. He could be the new Torregol at Juve if they work up on his injury prone physique

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 12:28pm

Manni

Err who cares about the Tropheo TIM. its just a pre season friendly for 45 mins. Juve Dominated both teams, Beat one and lost to the other, and?? its not told us anything diff. apart from Juve need a world class Goal poacher up front.

Milan Looked good to be honest Inter not bad either..whats all the fuss about? Pitch was a mess though think we can all agree on that and Vucinic Tache! is awful lol

Cant wait for the season to start,

Forza Juve

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 12:16pm

Moh

BBC claims Juve plan to pair RVP with Suarez. Even an ardent Juve supporter will find that hard to believe.

Milan sold probably 2 of their best players & claims to save 170 mill in 2 years, a figure they won't spend on transfers.

Inter got rid of ageing players but didn't do justice with their signings.

Its true Serie A clubs are no longer financial powerhouses nor do they attract big players but I see interesting young Italian players emerging from this which can only be good for Nazionale.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 8:08am

INTERCHAMP

You guys must write for "tuttosport"... Who won the Trophy for the eigth time! Inter. So why keep saying that Juve or Milan dominated that is masoquism. The pitch was bad, so? Inter played on the same pitch and beat both teams. The goal against Juve was luck, it takes skills to know how the ball will bounce in seconds attack it and finalize it as Coutinho did with class. The scudetto will be next, let's wait to everyone have their players and then we'll see, but for now Strama's Inter is on top.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 8:03am

Zaid

Hahaha..

Every Juventino rushing over with their excuses.
Its just TIM cup.. relax..

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 4:36am

Rocke

Anything wrong with Lucio? maybe yes maybe not, but one thing for certain, he's a professional who will give his best to whichever team he's working for, so I don't get the hate from Inter fans while it's Moratti himself who terminated his contract, we never hated Davids or Lippi for their decision to work for Inter, it's their life and their call.

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 10:19pm

Anonymous

whens the last time inter finished this low in a season and played Europa league?, Moratti will go crazy in the market like who thought julio will be left out like this? new inter will form and inter will be back to the top not next season but this season! Forza inter

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 8:30pm

Gom

Vucinic soft penalty? oh come on. so Vucinic dived? yea ok, but can't deny the fact that there's also some contact. only Milanista can wrote such... even though that penalty was more legit than Milan's last season.

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 7:18pm

Rashion

I think u people are just making mouth cos wen mourinho is inter u people critise him now you want 3star and started complain about pitch with does player that are holiday please stop it even if they play inter may even win them and just believe the fact that they all play on a neutral ground in Bari whether u bring only your youth team that is your own cup of tea all because you believe in there ability and stop complain about that or if they beat inter you people we started celebrate that your youth beat inter and the only team that i believe on there ability apart of INTER is AC MILAN and stop complain juventus fan, no how to accept defeat in football cos is about you win or lose. FORZA INTER

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 6:30pm

Nerazzurri77

Giving Lucio to JuBe was the best move by Inter thus far. Poor guy is desperate to prove that he still got it when in fact his rapid decline in his game stared soon after the treble. Good luck with him Conte, better you than Strama.
Notwithstanding, I hate to say it but JuBe is still head&shoulders above the rest. Next year it will be a fight for second place.
Inter should make a good run for 2nd or 3rd I think, depending on 1or2 new signings..Hope Lucas comes to La Beneamata.. FORZA INTER!!!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 5:56pm

Franco Brusco

Juve looked good without all the Euro Finalists there. Milan played hard but need a few players they will surely arrive before the deadline. Inter will be strong this season. Guardian is a monster and can challenge Vidal. All in all, Juve dominated Inter and without all of those key players. Susy, watch the games and stop worrying about Palacios hair or Vucinics mustache...

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 4:52pm

Anthony

This article is too hard on Milan. They played a team made entirely of youth players in the second game (many of whom were very promising). El Shaarawy was great. I think that the missing internationals are also key. Montolivo, Cassano, Abate, and Nocerino are certainly important. But Milan definitely needs a new striker and a new center back. Robinho is useless as a striker. And Acerbi is good, but he is too slow.

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 3:27pm

Anar

Honestly, I think Juve is too good. they are missing many players, but still very good. Inter second. Milan was very bad. Inter need a good defensive midfielder who can pass and tackle. Cambiasso is poor. this man cannot take initiative. and may be another versatile midfielder who can play on the wings, attack and defend, in case they have to change system to 433 or 442. FORZA INTER!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 3:27pm

Dane

When will this hatred towards Inter end? we also were missing players and i'm sure we have more players to come in since we are looking to move on maicon, pazzini and julio cesar. So just give Inter a break! Forza Inter

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 3:22pm

Louis

Not sure about this article. Juve should be the most reassured by far after this. They dominated both games easily and inter had a little bit of luck. Yes, we're not clinical, but we already knew that, hence why we're going to buy a striker. But as far as actual play is concerned, we're a million miles ahead of the other 2. I would even say the 2nd team we played yesterday could win the title without the 1st teamers coming back. And Susy, no mention for asamoah or masi? Really?

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 3:13pm

golasoooooo!!!

I fail to understand how anyone can conclude Inter were the best of the 3 last night.They should've been fitter than the rest as their pre-season began earlier than the rest but in the first game they were already on the back foot and were unbelievably lucky to win against Juve.That being said I fully believe Inter and Napoli will be Juve's main challengers for lo Scudetto.But don't write off Roma and Milan as well

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 2:37pm

Fanatico

It's simple really, Inter were more advanced in their preparation as they have to be ready for the Europa League, they didn't dominate against Milan or Juve. Which should worry Inter. Still one has to respect the fact that they used the few chances they had to win and that's what counts. I do agree with the point that Juve need to aim for Lewandowski i keep saying this & i wish i could get this message to Juve as it seems that they are relentlessly aiming for RVP. A player no Juve fan wants!!!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 2:36pm

Basil

Susy Seriously stop it!!!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 2:35pm

Anonymous

I see Milan are trying to sign Matri on loan. We used to own him and we let him go and now we are reduced to loaning him back from Juventus. Meanwhile, Milan cannot afford Astori, another player who they used to own. Galliani and the entire youth set up at Milan need to go. How many players have they let slip through? It's embarrassing re-signing players we never showed any faith in.

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 2:33pm

CARBADGE PATCH KIDS

Yesterday meant nothing on the worst pitch I have seen in my 30 years of playing & watching football. Juve just wanted the games to end because the pitch was so bad. Juve had, Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Giovinco, Isla, Marchisio, Giaccherini and of course Pirlo, missing plus how an you read anything into a pre season friendly played for only 45 minutes on a carbadge patch field with all teams still missing 9/10 players?

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 1:13pm

Hrant - Dubai

Susy, calm down and be realistic. Obviously it's a juve domination for another season at least. Conte's Juve still aggressive and good passing squad just as we left them last season. With signing a WorldClass striker, Milan and Inter can sit and watch. 7 Juve players took Azzuri to euro final.
Euro 2012 lesson = Juventus will reach CL final and lose to Barca ???!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 12:45pm

Fabiano

In my opinion, it was a good night for Juventus (aside from the Caceres injury).
They dominated both games (despite having many players unavailable) and the performances of both Luca Marrone and Alberto Masi were encouraging.
Marrone does not have the class of Pirlo, but he does seem to be the most likely player to give Pirlo a rest as he is capable of defence splitting passes.
Masi is supposed to be going back to Pro Vercelli for the season (co-ownership) but the Caceres injury may change that.

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 12:27pm

Anonymous

HaHa the envy and hate towards Inter is so obvious! Yes we beat both teams and yes we also had our stars missing, make all the excuses you want the fact is this is a sign of things to come. Inter were simply the best side out there so stop attacking Susy and accept the fact that all 3 teams have room for improvement and it is the result that counts in Football not silly hairstyles and butt shaking with no happy ending!

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 12:23pm

Anonymous

Preparing for a year of misery as this Milan has no identity and fully agree they will be fighting for Europa league position. Although us fans have little expectation of a good season the team may surprise us, well thats what I'm hoping

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 12:08pm

Kev

The pitch was terrible but so were Milan.
If that wasn't a warning to B&G I don't know what will be

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 12:08pm

Roberto_london

I don't think you should read too much from what is effectively three 45min games comprised of players that didn't feature in the european championships. In terms of forwards, the facts are: Van Persie, aside from the last 18 months he has a very average scoring record ad lets face it he's probably due an injury soon. At nearly 29, he's overpriced. Jovetic: 22, ok not an out and out striker, but Spain didn't need one. He's more value for money despite recent injuries

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 11:51am

Suzy I think u r drawing too much conclusion from 3 45 minutes halves as for juve still they dominate sterile infront of the goal inter had 2 opportunities however juve tud missed much and one more thing we are missing 8 first team starters do keep that in mind . Milan needs a lot signings and a lot of work inter getting too much hype and building process no need to be very enthusiastic about them Finally Italy must do something about their terrible stadiums

on the 22nd July, 2012 at 11:42am

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