By Anna Italia


    Cassano's dream to stop Italy's Champions is partly a reality
                                a DRAW.


                       Sampdoria  1 - 1 FC Inter 

                                            68' Delvecchio               33' Zlatan Ibrahimovic


Substitutions: 57' Stankevicius out, Padalino in       64' Mancini out, Balotelli in
                        79' Campaganaro out, Lucchini in     72' Muntari out, Jimenez in
                        86' Delvecchio out, Dessena in         72' Luis Figo out, Hernan Crespo in


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Finally the much awaited debut of Inter Coach Jose Mourinho in the Italian Serie A at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium. I am watching the match live in RAI ITALIA.

The one-on-one challenge is not between players, but between Sampdoria Striker Antonio Cassano and the entire INTER because Cassano said he wanted to stop Italy's Champions. 

I was not surprised by Mourinho's starting eleven 4-3-3: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Materezzi, Cambiasso, Maxwell; Zanetti, Stankovic, Muntari; Figo, Ibrahimovic, and Mancini.  It was the expected formation, especially the trident. 

Sampdoria Coach Walter Mazzarri opted for a 3-5-2: Mirante; Campagnaro, Gastaldello, Accardi; Stankevicius, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Delvecchio; Cassano.  I was expecting maybe a recovered Bonazzoli playing along Cassano, though he did not make it and was the chance for Gennaro Delvecchio.

I must say the first half was more for Sampdoria creating many opportunities to score. Yet, it was Inter forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic who opened the score in the 33rd minute.

Inter gets a corner in the 32nd minute. Then, Inter Amantino Mancini provides the magic assist to Inter forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic shooting from the left side of the area towards the corner.


                  
   Saturday, August 30, 2008 - Italian Serie A Week 1 SAMPDORIA - UDINESE. Ibrahimovic surprised Sampdoria with a goal in the 33rd minute.

                  

Oh my gosh!!!  I predicted a DRAW.  Come on Cassano, Forza Sampdoria.  This is a tough match.  Interesting how the cameras keep focusing MOURINHO!!!  Really? I wondery why?

In the 57th minute, Sampdoria makes the first substitution. It's obvious that Mazzarri wants to see a goal.
Stankevicius out, Padalino in

Guys, this was not an easy match for Inter. They are suffering and in any moment might surprise. Definitely, Inter without Ibrahimovic is not the same.  Mourinho can start to thank Ibrahimovic, his lucky charm.

In the 66th minute, Cassano  shoots from the right side outside the area after an assist by Mirko Pieri but the ball misses the target. Gee...

First substitution for Inter in the 64th minute
Amantino Mancini out, Mario Balotelli in

Wow, this is good for Balotelli.  By the way, Balotelli is among the called up players for the Italian Under-21.
Thumbs up for Balotelli.

Mancini did not score but he provided the assist to Ibrahimovic.  I expected more from Mancini.

Click the video to watch the goal from Gennaro Delvecchio.


In the 68th minute, Sampdoria gets a corner by Marco Padalino. Now will shoot from the riight side. Well, well, well... YES, YES, YES, Guess what/// it is a gooooaaallllllll hip hip hurrah! An assist by Daniele Franceschini and finds Genaro Delvecchio shooting with his right foot to the right corner blasting Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Sampdoria 1 - 1 FC Inter

Guys, you should see CASSANO pulling the hair of Delvecchio celebrating this important goal. wow.

Now, the camera shows Jose Mourinho standing and giving instructions.  Guys, now, we are talking business.

The match is open for both.  My prediction was a DRAW.  Let's see how it goes.

               
  Saturday, August 30, 2008 - Week 1 Italian Serie A - Cassano celebrating with Delvecchio  with his style... is he shampooing the hair or giving him a new hairstyle. LOL

Well, it seems Mourinho keeps writing notes and makes two more substitutions in the 72nd minute.
Muntari out, Luis Jimenez in
Luis Figo out, Hernan Crespo in

Well, this substitution really surprised me.  Hernan Crespo for Luis Figo, hum?! Mourinho preferred Crespo instead of Julio Cruz? wow, this is something. 

Fifteen more minutes and neither Cassano nor Ibrahimovic are unlocking the result.  Chances come and chances go for both teams.

In the 79th minute, Mazzari makes his second substitution.
Campaganaro out, Lucchini in

I love this substitution because Lucchini and Cassano have great chemistry and we might expect somehow a good combo between them. 

Mazzari makes his third substitution in the 86th minute. 
Gennaro Delvecchio out, Dessena in

Good to see the young Azzurrini Dessena making his debut with Sampdoria! Totally applauses for Delvecchio author of the equalizer goal.

In the 86th minute, a chance for Sampdoria with Palombo shooting outside the area but Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar not willing to lose this match makes a super save.

It's crazy last mintues is an agony for both teams.!  In the 87th minute is Inte's chance, Ibrahimovic sends a cross from the left and Jimenez heads the ball missing only by inches!  Mamma mia! 

With only 4 minutes neither Sampdoria nor Inter could deliver the winning goal and the match ends with a draw. Hip hip hurrah! I've got this prediction right. 

It was a tough test for Inter but even if Inter got a draw, don't rule them out to win the Scudetto. It's only the beginning of the Serie and the challenge is still open for all 20 teams. It was not a bad debut after all for Mourinho.  Just a so-so.

Week 1  Italian Serie A Tim 2008 - 2009  /  First  Round Matchday 1

Click Here to Buy Your 2008 - 2009 Serie A Soccer Gear now.  Soccer / Football Gear. Italian Shirts. AC Milan, AS Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan, Juventus, Palermo, Sampdoria, Udinese

Saturday, August 30, 2008
SAMPDORIA - FC INTER
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
11:30  a.m. USA Pacific time

SAMPDORIA (3-5-2):

83 Mirante; 16 Campagnaro (79'  Lucchini), 28 Gastaldello, 5 Accardi; 23 Stankevicius (57'  Padalino), 21 Sammarco, 17 Palombo, 19 Franceschini, 46 Pieri; 40 Delvecchio (86' Dessena); 99 Cassano.

SUBS:  Fiorillo, Ziegler,  Fornaroli, Bottinelli, 

Coach: Walter Mazzarri


INTER (4-3-3):

12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 19 Cambiasso, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 20 Muntari (72' Jimenez); 7 Figo (72' Crespo), 8 Ibrahimovic, 33 Mancini (64'  Balotelli).

Subs: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba,   15 Dacourt, 9 Cruz, 


Coach: Jose Mourinho

Referee:  Roberto Rosetti
Assistants: 
Fourth Official:   

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What do you think of the result?  Disappointing players?  Players marking the difference?







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