Inter The Lions Den... My Homecoming....

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LEAVING MILAN

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I had decided early on that Diego Milito wasn't going to be in my plans - 34 years old, massive £145k per week wages and past his best - he just didn't fit the ethos of my Nerazzuri.

Manchester City took the Argentine forward to the Premier League for £2.5m, which in truth, represented a good deal for us.

A NEW ARRIVAL



Young winger Eduardo Salvio was offered to us on loan by his agent and after watching him play a few pre season games, we decided to bring him in for the season. Young, hungry, skilful and with a point to prove, he can add competition to both of our flanks. In all honesty, after some good seasons in Portugal, I'm surprised Benfica were willing to let him go.



FC INTERNAZIONALE v PISA (Coppa Italia 3rd Qualifying Round)

Line Up: (3-5-2) Handanovic, Juan, Ranocchia, Balanta, Nagatomo (Wallace), Guarin, Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Pereira, Icardi, Benteke.

My first competitive game for the club proved to be a simple affair against a club more famous for it's landmarks than it's football.

A header from Mauro Icardi after 8 minutes has us in early control but took our feet off the gas and our Serie C opponents equalised on the stroke of half time.

I dished out my first rollicking at the break and a stunning individual goal from Icardi regained our lead on 49 minutes. We could've been 4 or 5 ahead before Benteke got his first competitive goal for the club on the 88th minute.

FINAL SCORE: FC INTERNAZIONALE 3-1 PISA

We have been drawn against Ternana in the 4th Qualifying Round, with the winners going on to play the holders - Lazio.

NEXT UPDATE: Facing the media ahead of our first game in Serie A…..

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It was a nice morning in Milan - I’d much rather be on the golf course or at home relaxing ahead of my first league game than facing a room full of arrogant journalists.

Massimo asked if I wanted him to attend with me but that seemed juvenile, like he was there to hold my hand and ensure I said nothing stupid.

I entered the press room to a group of about 20 - all sitting with their MacBooks and recording equipment. Whatever happened to a good old notebook and a pen?

This was something I hadn’t missed.

Q - Jason, you’ve had a good pre-season and defeated Pisa in the Coppa Italia so far. Do you feel like you can win away to Bologna with so many in injuries?

JC - Yes, of course. We have a big squad which is more than capable of dealing with a few casualties, we’re extremely confident.

Q - What’s your aim this season after a disappointing 9th placed finish last year?

JC - We feel we can get back in to contention for a top four finish and get back in the Champions League - that is the main aim.

Q - The signing of Christian Benteke is obviously a big coup for Inter, how important do you think he will be to the team?

JC - I don’t want to discuss individuals.

Q - The public will want to hear a proper answer from you...

I opened my mouth to speak but got cut off by an oh too familiar voice.

“Zat is enough for today, gentlemen. We haz a match to prepare for!”

“Jason! I am here my friend, you and me togezzer vunce more!!”

I stared at him. Frozen.

“Eric, what in Christ’s name are you doing here?!!”

The flashbulbs were going off, my eyes were dazzled - the journalists were in a flap...

He was here and I have no idea why.

Eric. Fucking. Cantona.

Awesome to see the Kings of the Jungle coming back from the wilderness for Round Two!

Was that bad?

Great to see you back Jason, your Aston Villa story was the first one I ever read and no doubt one of my all time favorites! Having done a very long Inter story in FM13, I can't wait to see how you do here. So far so good, Benteke especially is a great signing. Good luck!

@Glenn Hahaha no mate, very good effort!

@Neal Just literally seen it pop up mate and thought I'd made a boo boo and there already was an fm14 Inter story!! Gonna have a read at it!! Thanks for the kind words

RETURN OF THE KING??

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I left the press room amid confusion, disbelief and mainly - a terrible migraine - I'm still unsure if it was the cameras flashing or just being in the presence of Eric again.

I led him to my office and sat him down.

JC - What are you doing here, Eric?

EC - I am here to help of course - ve made quite a team at Villa, ve played beautiful football!!

JC - Eric.. *Long sigh*

EC - You don't seem pleased to see me, Monsieur Jason - I hope eet iz not because of vot happened the last time ve saw each other… I told you zat my hand just - 'ow you say, slipped!

JC - Fucking hell, Eric - No, that's not it!! I left Villa to start a new life, not re-create the colossal mental asylum you created!! Just get out of my office and GO HOME!!

EC - But...

JC - Leave!!!! I have a match to prepare for and I don't need you here!!!!

He stood up, fixed his jacket and walked out. No dramatics, no swearing, he just left.

Was he sick? Or had I just hurt his feelings?

Would this be the last time I would ever see him? Doesn't sound likely.

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BOLOGNA 0-3 F.C. INTERNAZIONALE

I had them geed up from the start, everyone in that dressing room knew their role.

They knew how important it was that we started the season with a win.

I named the same team that beat Pisa and despite a hairy first half with Bologna hitting the bar twice, a goal from Mauro Icardi settled our nerves on the 35th minute. We went in to the break 2-0 up following a Diego Perez own goal. Nagatomo pounced on a weak back pass, rounded the keeper and made the game safe on 77'.

F.C. INTERNAZIONALE 1-1 CAGLIARI

A disappointing performance in front of our own fans, we fell behind to a goal from Victor Ibarbo on 16 minutes.

We wasted chance after chance but Christian Benteke spared our blushes with a late penalty.

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We brought in Italian international Giacomo Bonaventura from Atalanta as I felt we were missing something creative in the middle and he has the added bonus of being flexible enough to play in a wider midfield role if needed.

Gaby Mudingayi joined Anderlecht on loan for the season.

TRANSFER ROUND UP

Great signing in Bonaventura, he's a talented player. I can't believe you yelled at poor Eric like that

Poor Eric, I agree with Neal. Bonaventura is a great signing, and you got some decent fees for some players. Hopefully, you'll get to sell someone in a ridiculous price, because what you've spent is over the roof!

NEW RECRUIT

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Mexican international, Jonathan dos Santos arrived at the San Siro on a free transfer following his release from FC Barcelona and went straight in to the starting line up to play Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzuri D'Italia.

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Four games in to Serie A, third in the table on 10 points and most importantly - unbeaten!

ATALANTA 0-1 F.C. INTERNAZIONALE (Benteke)

Line Up - (3-1-4-2) Handanovic - Juan Jesus, Ranocchia, Balanta - dos Santos - Bonaventura, Guarin, Kuzmanovic, Nagatomo - Icardi, Benteke

F.C. INTERNAZIONALE 2-1 SAMPDORIA (dos Santos, Benteke)

Line Up - (3-1-4-2) Handanovic - Samuel, Ranocchia, Balanta - dos Santos - Bonaventura, Guarin, Kuzmanovic, Nagatomo - Icardi, Benteke

"Nothing overly spectacular about our performances so far but the important thing is that they've been solid. We overcame a tricky trip to Atalanta and followed up with an important first home win over Samp. Our thoughts are now firmly focussed on the trip to Verona next."
Jason Connolly speaking to Calcio Italia

Wow, Dos Santos on a free seems fantastic, good work. Hoping for more updates, Jason!

There will be mate, just have so much on at the minute!!

Should get another update in a day or two.

MONTH REVIEW - SEPTEMBER

A satisfying start to my tenure in charge of Inter - 6 league games played, 14 points from a possible 18 achieved. Add this to knocking Pisa out of the Coppa Italia and things were looking good.

RESULTS



LEAGUE TABLE



PLAYER OF THE MONTH

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Christian Benteke takes the September Player Of The Month award after replicating his devastating Aston Villa form for Inter.

STATS

Serie A: (6 games, 5 goals)
Coppa Italia: (1 game, 1 goal)

OCTOBER PREVIEW

Looking ahead at October and the fixtures - on paper at least - look decent. Hopefully another good points return will have us top of the tree come November….

Nice signings m8. I really like Dos Santos, hoping he will be great for you
Nice results so far, keep it up

Great early form Jason, Benteke's been deadly!