Inter-ness: Aston Villa v Inter
(That expression? Says everything there is to say about this game.)
Ugh. The less said about this one the better, I'm afraid. By pretty much all accounts, we were rubbish.
There are a lot of excuses available -- Villa way more fit (their season starts next weekend), we had two training sessions yesterday, only transferred locations right before kickoff (=long bus ride), etc, etc, etc. But, really, it's not that big of a deal. Right? That's what Mancini, and Cruz, and Julio Cesar said, anyway. And it was another game, which means better fitness -- that's a good thing.
Aston Villa 3-0 Inter
Scorers: Barry 18, pen 68 (A), Laursen 47 (A)
Aston Villa: Taylor; Cahill (Gardner 46), Mellberg (Berger 71), Laursen (Osbourne 80), Bouma; Young (Maloney 72), Barry, Reo-Cocker, Moore; Petrov, Agbonlahor (Harewood 71)
Inter: Julio Cesar; Materazzi (Solari 46), Samuel (Fatic 78), Chivu; Cesar (Figo 46), Stankovic, Dacourt, Maxwell; Cruz (Suazo 46), Ibrahimovic (Adriano 63)
Edit: I've been told I should add a warning here for the sensitive among you that there's a rather massive picture of a certain Swede looming just after the cut. So squint, or gird your loins, or something.
Really, the only thing of note about this game (apart from the humiliating loss, I mean) is that we started in a 3-4-1-2 system, which is the first time I remember Mancio playing with three backs this preseason. Jimenez played in the hole (as he's done in the past when we've played with a diamond midfield), and it sounds like he looked pretty good -- he created at least one opening for Ibra, though Zlatan managed to waste the move by putting the ball wide. Doh!
Also, Samuel seems to have picked up an unspecified injury which, given how well he's suddenly playing, is NOT a good thing. Hopefully it's nothing serious, and the two days off the team have coming up will be enough to sort him out.
Clearly, this was taken before the game started.
Ibra made it though 60 minutes today. Yay for game fitness!
Look at the old man, trying to be all cool with his neon boots.
Love. Love, love, love.
WHO is the goofball on the right? Anyone?
Kick his ass, Olivier!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually really worried about his injury. Who knew that would ever happen?
Boy doesn't just score, people. Oh no, he defends, too.
New guy played the whole game, again.
(Despite having apparently shrunk to about half his normal size all of a sudden.)
He also gave up a penalty. Oops.
Mmm ... Deki.
I feel obligated to include one picture of Adriano after every match. I think I feel sorry for him.
Home for two day off now, then back to training on Tuesday. The Birra Moretti Trophy is on Wednesday, which consists of 45-minutes min-matches against Napoli and Juve.
And, most importantly: If I'm not terribly mistaken, the Argies are back this weekend. YAAAAAAAAYY!!!!!