[FM13] Giuseppe Bergomi - The King of Calcio

April: Part Two

Inter 2-2 Barcelona AET (3-3 agg, Barcelona win on away goals)

UEFA Champions League Qtr. Final 2nd Leg

Starting XI (4-3-1-2)
Belec; Peruzzi, Bellusci, Juan, Nagatomo; Poli, Cambiasso (c), Romano, Coutinho; Destro, Ademilson

Substitutions
M'Vila, Adryan, Livaja
Cambiasso, Destro, Ademilson

Match
Coutinho (41)
Messi (pen 47)
Villa (94)
Juan (109)
Song (114)

Man of the Match
Juan

Review
What a heartbreaker. We fought so hard to get the trophy this time, but this year we fall very, very short and fall in the quarterfinals. Coutinho played excellently, as did Vid Belec who I trusted to play and he repaid my faith. Ademilson and Destro both had absolutely terrible games when we needed them most. We pushed forward hard toward the end and almost scored, but it was not to be.

Juventus 0-0 Inter

Serie A

Starting XI (4-1-2-1-2)
Belec; Bellusci, Ranocchia, Juan, Pereira; Cambiasso (c), Poli, Gautier, Adryan; Destro, Ademilson

Substitutes
Romano, Coutinho, Livaja
Poli, Gautier, Ademilson

Match
-

Man of the Match
Ranocchia

Review
Stepping out of character here, I am furious about this. I managed to beat Juve with a 90th minute Destro goal the first time around, but my FM closed before I could save, so I had to settle for this. Back into character: It was a decent game for us, we kept our lead atop Serie A. 5 points clear would've been nice, but 2 will do.

Inter 3-0 Napoli

Serie A

Starting XI (4-3-1-2)
Handanovic (c); Peruzzi, Ranocchia, Juan, Pereira; Poli, M'Vila, Sissoko, Coutinho; Destro, Ademilson

Substitutions
Nagatomo, Romano, Livaja
Pereira, Sissoko, Destro

Match
Destro (pen 11)
Pereira - Twisted knee (2 weeks)
Ranocchia (36)
Ademilson (51)
Casarini (75)
Ademilson (82)

Man of the Match
Andrea Ranocchia

Review
An excellent, excellent win for us. We absolutely dominated Napoli, managing over 60% possession and scoring 3 times, with Ademilson missing a penalty to make it 4. This was a great show of our title credentials. It also helped us end a poor month on a high note, as we went 2-4-0. Good to see Destro start to score again after a mini-drought as well. Samir Handanovic also rejoined the starting lineup at long last.

Serie A

We are 5 points ahead of Juventus, but the Bianconeri have a game in hand. We are in control of our own destiny now, and I am confident we can win our remaining fixtures and win the Serie A for the 3rd consecutive year, especially now that we've been knocked out of the Champions League so early.

UEFA Champions League

I'm absolutely crushed. This was supposed to be our year! Vengeance for our disappointing loss last season was supposed to come! Javier Zanetti was supposed to end his career in the best way possible! And it was all ruined by FC Barcelona. We must now wait until next year to extract our vengeance and hopefully finally win this elusive European crown.

Player of the Month

My player of the month is Andrea Ranocchia. The center back had a great month, getting two man of the match awards at the end. He is the rock at the heart of our defense, and Vid Belec would have suffered without him.

Monthly Review

It was a month of disappointment, to be honest. Yes, we kept our lead in Serie A and pegged Juventus back at long last, but our early Champions League exit bothers me. It was a cruel way to go out, especially in a round as early as the quarter finals. The board have told me they are still 100% behind me, and they are willing to give me good financial backing as long as we win the Serie A and Coppa Italia for some extra funds.

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Inter Out of Champions League in Extra Time

Andres Iniesta's men proved too strong for Zanetti's Nerazzurri.

It was an ignominious day for fans of Inter Milan yesterday as they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by FC Barcelona. The team that had so easily conquered Italy could not stop the Catalan giants completely and were knocked out on away goals, the tie finishing at 3-3 on aggregate but with Barcelona having scored 2 away goals.

The first leg was well contested, and much respect was given to the Nerazzurri for holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp. Third string goalkeeper Vid Belec pulled off a number of stunning saves against a visibly frustrated Messi, and Inter returned to the San Siro feeling confident. In the second leg, Inter were cruising at 1-0 and thus 2-1 on aggregate when controversy struck for the first time.

From a corner kick, despite the ridiculous grappling that is ever present in the box during such set piece occasions, Mattia Destro was whistled for a small push inside the box and a penalty was awarded to Barcelona. Of course, Messi dispatched this with ease. Many people started to complain once again that the referees were biased. The game ended 2-2 in Extra Time, and Barcelona were through on away goals.

Giuseppe Bergomi, Inter manager, had much to say after the game. "It is very disappointing for us, right now the whole team is upset to be out so early. It was a very, very soft penalty decision from the referee which ultimately swung the tie, and it must be said that Barcelona often receives preferential treatment. However, we will recover from this and focus now on the Serie A and Coppa, and next season try to improve on what we've done this season."

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Stankovic Returns to Inter

Dejan Stankovic was a fan favorite during his 9 seasons with Inter Milan. The Serbian central midfielder was hard working and was often a driving force for Inter, and with his great technique on the ball he scored many great goals. Unfortunately, Stankovic fell out of favor with the arrival of Giuseppe Bergomi and was loaned out to Benfica for a season before sold to Galatasaray. He spent this season without a club, but now has rejoined Inter.

The catch his, Stankovic has announced his retirement as a player and taken a staff role at his beloved Inter as a coach. Many Nerazzurri fans and players alike are very pleased with the move and are looking forward to Stankovic helping the side develop as footballers.

"I am so happy to return to Inter," said Stankovic. "This place has always been in my heart, one of my favorite clubs in all the Earth. I cannot wait to start working alongside Bergomi and the players once more."