Zlatan was unveiled at Camp Nou today after passing his medical. This brings to an end a long ,complex transfer saga. I’m sure that everyone involved with this deal is quite happy, especially the Barca supporters who came out 75,000 strong to greet their new hero. I think they were a little too strong though, hence the explanation for the pitch invasion. Here are some things Ibra had to say during the course of his supposed hectic day:

He supposedly told this to Tuttomercatoweb.it:

“When did I start thinking about moving somewhere else? In December, before Christmas. The more I saw Barcelona play, the more I wanted to leave. Moreover, I was fed up of Italy, of Milan, of your football: you play badly, there’s too much stress. In short, I needed something else. Did Inter pay me more than any other footballer? No comment.”

for some reason or the other i don’t really think he said the above.

Now here’s what he had to say during his press conference:

”It’s a very big thing for me, there comes a time when you want to develop more and my desire to come to Barcelona was too big to stay at Inter. Moratti helped me in every way, he did everything for me and my family. I said to Moratti a few months ago: ‘Nobody can get me, only one club can get me and that’s Barcelona’, and he told me: ‘if you want it like that you will get it like that’. I’m not coming here to be Samuel Eto’o, I’m somebody else, somebody new, but I will try to achieve as much as Eto’o, or even more.”

Now here are some pics from the day:

Ibra9: Just do it…

He looks so happy!!!

Thumbs up from the new boy in town.

awwww, he’s kissing his new badge. how tweet! (I’m sorry, but as an Inter fan, this one made me throw up a little bit)

Hope this gives you a nice “fix” til next time guys.

Looks like our boy is on his way to Spain. Today he said his goodbyes to his Inter teammates and flew to Sweden to sign some papers. The apparent deal for Ibra that Inter and Barca made is: 40m+Eto’o+Hleb. As an Inter fan i am deeply saddened by it all, but as an Ibra fan I’m happy he’s off on a new adventure. Hopefully he rips La Lega a new one when he reaches over there. Well i guess all i can say is thank you for all the hard work you put in over the past few years. You’ll never be forgotten by us over here at Inter. Arrivederci Ibra! Per sempre nei nostri cuori!!!

Today, i think Zlatan realized that he needed to fix things with the Inter fans by doing some damage control through the media. During the interview he also denounced the evil that is Juve (his total disregard for his former club made me feel all warm inside). Here’ what he said:

“I didn’t leave the Bianconeri because of Calciopoli. Something didn’t happen between the club and I, and I had already decided to go away before the scandal. Milan also wanted me, but I soon chose Inter without problems. I have never given a damn about the rivalry with Juventus. In Turin I felt like a superstar, but the club that taught me the most was Ajax. They taught me more things than any other club. In Italy, England and Spain they look for players who are already ready. They want results quickly. At Ajax it’s different. They shape you with training and discipline,” Ibrahimovic said. I have supported Inter since I was little. One day I watched the Italian championship on TV with some friends and we decided to bet some small change, choosing a team each. I chose Inter, the others Juve and Milan,”

So what have we learned from today’s session?

1) Juve’s admin are a bunch of turds and they forced out Ibra
2) Ibra rejected Milan to come to Inter
3) Ibra doesn’t give a flying F! about Juve (which i’m sure makes all the Inter fans like myself happy)
4) He learned the most at Ajax
5) and finally, football is a great way to help foster gambling habits within the youth of the World.

Has Ibra Left his final mark on Inter?

Today I realized that I’ve really neglected this blog for the better part of 3 months or so *sigh*. Since I’ve posted last Zlatan has done quite a few things, most notably finishing as the Top Scorer in Serie A with 25 goals. Johonna Documented his goal scoring quite well over at the Inter Blog (to see her write up you can go here). I don’t think I’ll be going back and reviewing the goals as I’m sure that most of you probably don’t really care anymore. who agrees forward ever, backward never?

Moratti is confused. Poor guy…

With the silly season upon us there are many different rumors going around about the availability of Mr. Ibrahimovic. Quite frankly, i would hate to see him leave Inter as he’s a big part of our plans. But, if he wants to go he can. I don’t think anyone will try to stop him if he wants too. With teams like Real Madgreedy and Barcelona knocking on his door, who knows as to what’s going to happen. One thing is for certain, Massimo Moratti needs to learn how to make up his mind. First its he’s staying for sure, next things he’s certain he’s staying 99.9 percent, now he’s stating that he 50-50 on the matter. Someone please get this guy a calculator and me a defibrillator.

Zlatan himself stated a few times that he wants a new challenge. Is that a bad thing? I’m not entirely sure. Apparently, Ibra will have to take a 3 million dollar pay cut to go to Real. Knowing Zlatz, he probably wouldn’t accept such a deal unless he really has changed and doesn’t care about the money anymore (yeah, fat chance…).

In my humble opinion, I believe that Mino Raiola is the devil incarnate. If my memory serves me right, I remember sometime mid-season Ibra said he was quite happy at Inter and would stay her as long as Moratti would keep him. Where in God’s name did all this “I want a new challenge” come from? From Raiola that’s where. Agents are the scum of the earth and are little greedy vaginal discharges that only want money. Seeing as they get a nice hefty chunks of transfer fees all agents are attempting to create big money moves for their clients. Honestly, I think that all this leaving Inter this is a “get rich quick” scheme by Raiola. what a douche bag dontcha think?

Daily-calcio summed up the transfer drama quite well in a article today. Here it is and tell me after if it doesn’t seem like the agent is push BS in everyone’s face:

March 17, 2009 – Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola: “It’s obvious that the elimination from the Champions League was painful. He wants to win the Champions League at all costs. He has a contract for a further four years with Inter and, for the time being, there are no problems.”

March 18, 2009 – Inter technical director Marco Branca: “We know that he is upset. It is just the sporting disappointment of a champion who really wanted to win the Champions League. I am sure he will get over it and there is no need to talk to him about it.”

March 22, 2009 – Ibrahimovic: “After the end of the season, we will see what will happen.”

April 17 – Jose Mourinho: “I don’t expect there to be an offer for Ibra in the summer because everyone knows an offer of 40, 50 or 60 million euros would be rejected immediately. No one will be able to make an offer of 100 million. I’m absolutely certain no offers will arrive because clubs don’t make stupid offers. They don’t make stupidly low offers and a stupidly high one won’t arrive.”

April 25, 2009 – Ibrahimovic: “I have a contract with Inter, but at the same time I would like to try something new because I have been in Italy for five years.”

May 13, 2009 – Mino Raiola: “Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are in contact with me, if we do move, it will be to another great team.”

May 18, 2009 - “Yes, I really think so,” Inter president Massimo Moratti said when asked if he was 90 per cent sure Ibrahimovic would stay.

June 5, 2009 – Mino Raiola: “I only know that if the two clubs find an agreement we would not have trouble agreeing with Barcelona.”

June 13, 2009 - Moratti insists that Ibra will not leave in a swap deal with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.

June 16, 2009 – Mourinho says Ibra is unlikely to leave as Inter would require 90 million euros to part with him.

June 22, 2009 - Inter president Massimo Moratti says there is a “50 per cent” chance of him leaving in the summer. Raiola claims his client is being forced out, but he has a “99 per cent” chance of staying.

For now, none of us (besides the man himself) knows where Ibra is going to end up. Let just sing this song about the Z-man and pretend as if nothing is happening. =D

So there were quite a few games that our boy decided to show up to that i didn’t document. He’s been scoring goals left, right and center. lets get right into it shall we.

Manchester United vs Internazionale (Uefa Champions League)

Try as he might, Zlatz just couldn’t break this side down. I think that’s all i’m going to say in this section…

Genoa vs Inter (Serie A-stonishing)

This one started off quickly. In the second minute Ibra got a beautiful lofted pass from (you guess it) Deki. On receiving and controlling the pass, the then proceeded to lift it over the on coming keeping slotting in for Inter’s first of the day. Later on Balo made it 2 and inter held on to the clean sheet

Inter vs Fiorentina (Serie A-wesome)
Obviously, this boy (or should i say man) feels he has something to prove to the world. He scored 2 in this match. The first was quick thinking header, but the second, OMG! it was something spectacular. It came at the tail end of the match from about 32 yards out. Ibra hit that ball 109 kmph. Do you know what strength and will-power it takes to do that at the end of a game? you got tired legs. You’ve been playing for 90+ minutes. You’re Frustrated. All i could say about The Z man is that you’re amazing.
*cue epic music*

Inter vs Reggina (Serie A-mazing)
YES! He obviously in BLUE hot form. in this game he was able to pick up another brace! One was from the penalty spot and the other was Zlatan being Zlatan. He took their entire back line to town before chipping their goalkeeper from the top of the 18 yard box. It was something to behold. Truly breathtaking.

This weekend, Zlatan was suspended for Sweden so he didn’t take part in any international games. This is a good thing as he needs a rest. Poor kid must be exhausted. And for my female readers, since i left you with no Ibra for so long, the picture to our left is just for you guys(or should i say girls). Enjoy… (i know joey will )

The Entertaining

I wouldn’t lie to you, I wasn’t too impressed with Ibra’s performance during this match. He had his moments of brilliance as usual, but come to expect more from him in every match. Am i being too demanding for asking for more?

The Scary

He took one square in the nuts during the match. It was quite entertaining more than scary actually. But for Helena’s sake we’ll call it scary. looks like Serie A doesn’t want Ibra to reproduce anymore. Thank god we already have Vince and Max in the world. More Ibra’s is always a welcomed thing.

The Goal

And here’s what I’m really happy about. THE RETURN OF THE GOAL SECTION!!! w00t!!! I know you’re also excited. No need to tell me, i just know. This one… was a beaut! grazie Deki.

And He Speaks!!!

Here the short interview that Zlatan gave proceeding the match:

“Stankovic gave me an excellent ball, I attacked the space and when I saw Rubinho coming out I knew the only place to put it was over him,” Ibra told Inter Channel.

“But apart from the goal the main thing is that I’m feeling very good, certainly a lot better than a few days ago. I try to do well and I can give my best.

“We go to Manchester with lots of confidence after this victory. We are enthusiastic about this game. We will do everything to win it.”

So there you go. Zlatan and company dispatched Genoa and now its off to Old Trafford for what i think is going to the game of the season!

Forza IBRAHIMAGIC!!!

He gave and interview with La Gazzetta yesterday. Topics such as “Manchester United” and “Mr. Balotelli” were discussed and now, I’ll leave you to read what he had to say on the lot. Enjoy!

Gazzetta Interview

What is the best thing you found in Mourinho?
“When a match starts you feel more prepared, you’ve got all the information you need. Then it obviously depends on us: he can prepare everything in the best possible way, but it’s us on the pitch, playing to win. Plus I think that the mentality has changed a little: when things are not going well, you can tell he’s not happy and you need to react”.

So you like him because in this he’s similar to you?
“True, you can tell straightaway from my face when I’m pissed off. Let’s say that I’m used to this kind of mentality: I grew up playing for Ajax with Co Aadriaanse, a similar kind of person; then I had Capello, who used to make things very clear. I like a coach that treats me bad sometimes, that uses strong, harsh words, that tells me ‘You were rubbish’. It’s happened before, it works with me”.

In Manchester will you need to do better than the first match in Milan?
“I’m calm, I’m quite confident. We’ll go there and play: they are a great team but so are we and we can do what’s needed to qualify. It won’t be easy, but to win the Champions League you need to win matches like this one”.

You didn’t answer…
“We need to play better, with more confidence: to be united, concentrated, aggressive, to play simple, without making the same mistakes we made in the first leg”.

Like what?
“It was hard for me and Adriano: too much space between us and the midfielders, at some point we said to each other ‘we must try and stay further forward’. In Manchester we’ll need to have more ball possession, to run better, otherwise you risk to be exhausted after 70 minutes. My game and my skills also include running of course: but running it’s not the main thing”.

Too many long balls?
“It can work sometimes, you can score: I can play like that, and rather well, but it’s not the game I love, my favourite game. Then it depends on the various situations in a match, but I prefer to play more with the rest of the team, to attack all together”.

Would you like to win in Manchester like Porto did in 2004, with a last-minute goal?
“If we score during the first or the last minute it is the same thing: it’d be good either way”.

How much can the game depend on the Old Trafford effect?
“Full stadium, the fans on your back: it can become more difficult, but it’s also nicer, because it’s those atmospheres great players and great teams love”.

Speaking about great players: In England the press wrote that in the first match there was ‘the greatest footballer in the world and the one that thinks he is’…
“I read it: one would be Cristiano Ronaldo and the other one would be me. I read it and I smiled: everybody can write what they like. I know the English don’t like me, I know how much I’m worth and I also know that if I played in England I wouldn’t play badly. Actually I’d rather see how those who are currently playing in England would play if they were to come to Italy”.

Are you referring to Ronaldo?
“I’ve got great respect for Ronaldo, like for all players. That’s the way football is: if you are a great, you just are, and he is. He can play, he won the Ballon d’Or and also other trophies with Manchester United and plus he’s still young: I’m very happy for him”.

Are you jealous of his Ballon d’Or?
“I must keep playing like I am: whether I’ll win it or not, we’ll see at the end. But I do know one thing: if you don’t win with your team, it’s almost impossible that you win on your own. And if the team doesn’t win, it’s very difficult for you to win. Even if you are Maradona”.

And it’s even better if the team wins the Champions League?
“To win, you need to start somewhere, that’s important: Inter, who hadn’t won for a long time, started with 3 championships and now wants to do the same with the Champions League. But I agree with Mourinho: it’s not always the best team that wins the Champions League, but it’s always the best team that wins the Championship. The Championship is longer and harder, the Champions League is quick, either you win or you lose, in two matches.”.

Can you already say you have won the Scudetto, being 7 points ahead of Juventus?
“No, the Championship isn’t over yet and one day you’re 11 points ahead, the next 9 points, the next 7 points: anything can happen. We must keep our concentration while playing, one match at a time, with the same spirit we had in the second half against Roma”.

What Inter did you see then?
“A team that showed their will to win: without mistakes, keeping the game in control, everyone helped each other”.

How come Inter tends to forget playing the first halves?
“There’s no logical explanation. Perhaps it can happen when you win so often: you have a slow start and then you play a wonderful game, or vice-versa. And it can depend on the opposition too, can’t it?”.

Sunday’s opponents had loads to complain about: have you heard De Rossi?
“It’s like this every year: we win, they lose and so they find something to say if they can’t beat us, for now at least”.

It’s not only Roma saying that Inter is helped by the referees.
“I don’t mind: when you are a winning team, there’s always someone talking about help from referees. It was like that also when I was playing for Juventus: everybody was against Juve”.

They also got annoyed by Balotelli: too pretentious, a bit like Ibrahimovic used to be?
“I believe Mario is stronger, more ready to play at high levels than I was when I was 18. Then, it’s true he’s still got to mature: he’s learning a lot, we are all trying to help him and above all he’s got loads of time ahead of him”.

Balotelli and Santon: have they got a great future ahead of them?
“It’s too early to say they’ll be two champions: it takes a couple of goals or a few great matches for everybody to go: ‘Wow, what great players!’. That’s a mistake: you need to do those things for years and then it will be fair for everybody to go: ‘Wow!’”.

There you go. That was a mouth full wasn’t it?

I especially liked his assessment on England’s opinion of him. You show ‘em Ibra, show ‘em you’re not a scared of them in the slightest.

First Genoa and then those Red Devils. The moment of truth is fast approaching. FORZA IBRAAAAA!!!!!!!

After a couple of day of intense madness for me, real life resumes and that means more post! Aren’t you excited that you get some more Zlatan news? pshh… I would be.

Something rather fantastic happened recently. Some say it was of biblical proportions. They say that not even not even the a 3rd World War could stop it from happening. This thing WAS Carnival. Just messing with ya. The thing I’m actually talking about is the UCL round of 16 match between Internazionale and Manchester United.

Inter vs Man Utd (Uefa Champions League)

So as expected there was an endless amount of pressure square on the shoulders of Ibra. Would he be able to shake off his was the question everyone was asking. In the beginning he seemed a bit nervy, as did the entire Inter team. Neither Ibra or Adriano was getting proper service from the midfeild. Zlatan in particular was dropping really deep trying to get the ball. When he was in an advanced position he was either tripled teamed or the Man Utd defense sheppard him to the wings. These are some extremely tough circumstances for anyone to work under. he tried his hardest to get back into play from those positions and one EXTREMELY horrible shot comes to mind. oh yeah, you know which one i’m talking about. the one where he shanked it soooooo horribly that it went out for a throw in by the corner flag… *sigh* it was a rough day indeed for the Swedish superstar. Besides for some fancy footwork and one or too nice dummies there’s nothing really to be noted on during this match. It really was a bit more like watching a chess match than football.

God, was extremely disappointed with the refereeing. The horrid wrong judgement of the actually onside Zlatan when he was put straight threw made me sick. That would have been the chance to seal the game for Inter. I don’t expect European refs to be so horrible especially during the biggest match of the season. hopefully Ibra and the boys get protected in the Old Trafford as the Man Utd players did in the San Siro. No double standards please UEFA!

Words from the man himself

This is what Ibra had to say after the match yesterday:

“We have a one hundred percent chance of qualifying,” said the Swedish forward after Inter’s goalless draw against Manchester United.

“We go to Manchester with two results out of three in our favour. We didn’t manage to take the lead but we stopped them from scoring, and this certainly isn’t a disadvantage.

“It was a wonderful match tonight. The first half was theirs but the second was ours. Manchester are a great team but so are we.

“We matched them blow for blow tonight, now we will go to Manchester to win.”

Quite encouraging if you ask me.

Now I’ll leave you guys with a quick look as to what i did monday and tuesday this week…

i know you’re jealous lol

oh happy days!

Lecce vs Inter (Serie A)

This is the way to start off a fresh 100. A 3-0 win away from home seems like exactly what Zlatan and the boys needed, especially when Milan is on the horizon. My faith was renewed after that bad match last week. Its disturbing how the boys are good away from home, but suck at home, Ibra especially. Seems too me as if he gets a little too relaxed when playing at the San Siro. He Looks so disinterested during home matches. A psychological block perhaps? Maybe the pressure from the San Siro faithful is too much to bear? Well lets just hope that he gets over whatever it may be in time for the 23rd.

It was a pretty good performance by the Big Swede on Saturday. He took his goal pretty well. Kudos to Esterban for his deceptive assist. Zlatan’s producing great performance after great performance this season. You would swear he was a cow or something with him being able to produce so much…moving on.

The Entertaining

The freaking referees are the entertaining one’s. This makes it 2 weeks in a row that Ibra was booked for supposed “simulation“. Replays clearly indicate that they were both legitimate penalty claims, but NOOOOO, the blind Serie A refs fail to see the truth in real time *sigh*. I guess all we can do is laugh at this point and thank God that he didn’t pick up a second yellow. I wonder when they’re going to implement a system where they rescind foolish cards such as these. As MAD over at the Inter board would say, “i guess we didn’t pay this ref enough today.” <– (heavy sarcasm btw).

The Scary

It wasn’t a particular physical match. No foul committed on Ibra really stands out in my memory, so i guess that’s a good thing right?

The Goal

That makes it 5 goals in 6 matches for 2009. It feels as if Inter goes into every game 1-0 up when Ibra plays. Fantastic feeling to say the least.

Zlatan Speaks!!!

After the match Ibra had a quick interview with the Sky Sport Italia and he had this to say:

“It went well today. We won 3-0 and this is an important result ahead of the derby. We needed these three points. Now we have a week to rest and concentrate on the derby. To improve we just have to keep doing what we have done so far. Yes, we drew against Torino, but this can happen. We just have to stay focused, have confidence in ourselves and not think about the results of the other teams. Physically I feel good. I’m doing well on the pitch, I’m improving and I want to keep improving.”

What’s next up for the Zuperman you ask? Hopefully some of where this came from:

FoRzA iBrA!!!!