Mazzarri replaces Stramaccioni at Inter

Inter Milan has parted company with head coach Andrea Stramaccioni after his first full season as a Serie A coach ended in huge disappointment, with Walter Mazzarri confirmed as his replacement.



The 37-year-old Stramaccioni has paid the price after only guiding Inter to a ninth-placed finish - a worst performance since 1994 - while overseeing 16 league defeats in the 2012-2013 campaign.



Mazzarri, who announced his decision to leave runner-up Napoli last weekend, has been named as Inter's new coach on a two-year deal.



A statement published on inter.it read: "Inter would like to communicate that they have reached an agreement with Walter Mazzarri - the new coach of Inter.



"Inter thank Andrea Stramaccioni for his great efforts and the professionalism he showed in a particularly difficult year.



"The agreement with Walter Mazzarri will last for two years."

Zanetti surgery a success

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has undergone successful surgery on his Achilles tendon and is expected to be out for around six months.



The 39-year-old Argentinian ruptured his left Achilles during his side's 1-0 Serie A defeat at Palermo and went under the knife at Pavia's Policlinico San Matteo on Tuesday afternoon.



Professor Franco Benazzo, who performed the operation, told Inter's official website: "The operation was a complete success.



"How long will it take him to recover? He'll have his foot in a cast for the next three weeks and won't be able to walk on it, then he will start to walk in phase two of his physiotherapy.



"As ever in cases like these we're looking at six months out of action."



Benazzo added: "Is there a chance he might lose a bit of fitness after an operation like this? In general terms no, but locally the muscle mass will decrease slightly during the time his foot's immobile.



"But the Inter medical staff have shown over the years that they can get players fit who have suffered from more serious injuries than a snapped Achilles."

Zanetti vows to return

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti vowed to return stronger than ever after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left foot during yesterday's 1-0 Serie A defeat at Palermo.

Zanetti underwent tests at Pavia's Policlinico San Matteo last night after being forced off the pitch in the 17th minute at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.



The 39-year-old Argentinian looks set to face a lengthy absence, but insisted he had no plans to call it a day.



"My goal is to come back stronger than before, and I believe (I can)," he said on www.inter.it. "I had to change tyres after so many miles... I'm sorry for how the season has gone.



"Injuries can happen and they're part of this profession. The most important thing is the team. We'll decide when surgery will take place.



"They still haven't given me the timescale involved, but my career certainly isn't over.



"What matters is healing well. What I want most is to be back with my team-mates."



Yesterday's result dealt a blow to the Nerazzurri's hopes of securing European football next season, leaving them in seventh spot - two points off a Europa League berth.



Josip Ilicic scored the only goal of the game after 10 minutes to lift the hosts out of the bottom three on goal difference.



Zanetti continued: "I'm sorry I can't give (my team-mates) a hand in the final part of the season, but I'm confident they'll be able to qualify for the Europa League.



"I appreciate the messages from the fans, as well as those from president (Massimo) Moratti, my team-mates and the many others who have shown their support."

Injury concern for Inter captain Zanetti

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti ruptured his Achilles' tendon during the 1-0 loss at Palermo on Sunday, the latest mishap in a season coach Andrea Stramaccioni has described as cursed.





Italian media speculated that the Argentine - 40 in August - could be out for up to eight months and that, considering his age, the injury could even spell the end of his career.

Zanetti, who is two years older than his coach, dismissed the notion telling Inter's website (www.inter.it): "My aim is to return stronger than before. I have to change tyres after many kilometres.

"We will decide when to operate. They haven't told me a recovery time but my career is certainly not over, the important thing is to get better."

Zanetti was speaking after having a scan near Milan which confirmed the rupture.

"It's a big blow and we really didn't need this injury to Javier," Stramaccioni said earlier.

"Losing him today certainly hurts us in a very difficult moment."

The remarkably consistent Zanetti has made more than 800 appearances for Inter, including over 600 in Serie A, since joining the club from Banfield in 1995 and has never before suffered a serious injury.

He has won five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and one Club World Cup and is also Argentina's most capped player.

"I felt a pull at one point, I'm not sure if anyone touched me, and it really hurt," Zanetti told Mediaset Premium. "I will overcome this as well."

Inter have suffered a string of injuries in the last few weeks and were missing Rodrigo Palacio, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano, Walter Gargano and Fredy Guarin for the trip to Sicily.

In the last few weeks, Stramaccioni's team have dropped to seventh in Serie A, ending their hopes of Champions League football next season, been knocked out of the Europa League by Tottenham Hotspur and been beaten by AS Roma in the Italian Cup semi-final.

"It's a curse," agreed defender Andrea Ranocchia, who took the armband from Zanetti in the 17th minute. "We seem to be losing two players a game. It's just incredible.




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Inter Milan fined for racist abuse

UEFA has fined Inter Milan 45,000 euros (US Dollars 58,500) for its fans' racist abuse against Tottenham forward Emmanuel Adebayor during a Europa League match.



UEFA's sanction included charges over other crowd issues, including Inter's "insufficient organization" of the match, plus objects thrown and fireworks lit by fans.



Adebayor's extra-time goal in a 4-1 loss was decisive in the last-16 match at the San Siro last month as Tottenham advanced on away goals. The two-legged series finished 4-4.



UEFA says its disciplinary panel also fined Benfica 32,000 euros (USD 41,600) for crowd incidents against Bordeaux.

Palacio could be out for weeks

Inter Milan's bid for a top three finish in Italy's Serie A has suffered a blow after top scorer Rodrigo Palacio's thigh injury could rule him our for several weeks.



Argentine international Palacio scored a brace on Thursday (AEDT) as Inter claimed a precious 2-0 win away to Sampdoria in a fixture that had been postponed from 17 March.



The Nerazzurri host Atalanta on Monday but Palacio looks likely to play no part after he hobbled out of training on Friday clutching the back of his left thigh.



Palacio went immediately for scans and Inter later confirmed: "Rodrigo Palacio underwent scans which showed a muscular problem in the posterior region of the left thigh."



Reports in Italy are already speculating that Palacio, who with 12 goals is Inter's top scorer this season in the absence of already-injured compatriot Diego Milito, could miss several of his side's remaining eight games.



Inter currently sits in fifth place, 18 points behind champion and leader Juventus and seven points adrift of city rival AC Milan, which occupies the third and last possible qualifying spot for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Mourinho: I spent two fantastic years

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho recently admitted that he has found memories of managing Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A and if he did go back at some point, with would be with “great pleasure and excitement.”

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In a recent interview with Coordown.it (a National Coordinator for people with Down Syndrome), Mourinho revealed that he holds a special place in his heart for the Nerazzurri, and would be delighted to return at some point.



“I spent two fantastic years in Italy, at Inter.



“I do not know if I will go back someday, but if I do it will be with great pleasure and excitement.”



Coordown.it has organised 50 videos from celebrities to show their support for people with Down Syndrome, with 21 celebrities already supporting the cause, such as; Antonio Cassano, Francesco Totti, Andrea Ranocchia, Javier Zanetti, Marco Materazzi and singers, Tiziano Ferro and Jovanotti.

Mourinho 'happiest at Inter'

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Inter Milan was the place that made him the happiest, but says his career would not have been complete without Real Madrid.

The Portuguese manager, 49, left Inter after his side famously defeated Spanish giants Barcelona on their way to their first European Cup title for 45 years.



Despite great success at Porto, Chelsea and Madrid, the man known as 'the Special One' says Inter is the place that gave him the most pleasure.



Since joining Madrid he has guided Los Blancos to their first domestic title since 2008, as well as success in the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.



"Inter is the club where I liked most to stay, no one else gave me the same happiness. When I left, I cried more than once, I will belong to the Nerazzurri family forever," said Mourinho.



"I wondered why I left, and now I try to explain it. Friends told me that I could be a great coach, but without working for Real Madrid there would be a hole (in my career).



"It's why I got busy with Florentino Perez, but I always miss Inter."

Manchester City hit man wants to join Balotelli

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised his former Inter Milan teammate Mario Balotelli profusely and has claimed that the Italian wants to link up with him at Paris St. Germain.



The striker who recently scored a wonder goal against England in an international friendly spoke to the Italian media, saying that Balotelli, “is a player with great talent and, given his age and has a huge potential. He may be one of the best strikers in the world. He has matured a lot and I think he wants me to play with me again, now at PSG.”



Balotelli is facing a great deal of pressure at Manchester City and seems to be 4th in the pecking order with his consistent lack of professionalism further creating problems between him and City boss Roberto Mancini. The former Inter Milan forward has made just 5 starts this season and he may find himself making a move in January if PSG are able to place a strong bid on the table.



The Italian has scored just 2 goals for his club this season and has failed to make a telling impact on his team’s fortunes, unlike super sub Edin Dzeko. With the likes of AC Milan and Inter Milan also allegedly keen to sign Balotelli, we may well see him the Champions in January.

Europa League round-up

• Reigning champions Atletico Madrid are all but through to the knockout stages after a 2-1 win over Academica.
  


• Goals from Diego Costa and Emre saw the Spanish side home despite a late Salim Cisse consolation.
  


• Dnipro also retain a 100% record with a 3-1 win over Napoli, as do Lyon thanks to Jimmy Briand's late goal in their 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao.
  


• But Marseille, who had topped their group, slipped to third after losing 2-0 away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
  


• Watch Europa League highlights HERE.

GROUP A



Liverpool head the group after a crucial 1-0 win over Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, thanks to a Stewart Downing strike after 53 minutes.

Udinese suffered a shock 3-1 defeat away to bottom side Young Boys in Switzerland with Raul Bobadilla grabbing a stunning hat-trick.



GROUP B



Reigning champions Atletico Madrid maintained their 100% record with a 2-1 win over Academica, Diego Costa and Emre Belozoglu netting before Salim Cisse hit a late consolation.

Plzen moved clear in second with a 2-1 win at Hapoel Tel Aviv. Frantisek Rajtoral hit the late winner before home defender I'yad Hutba was sent off.



GROUP C



Egeman Korkmaz scored in the 72nd minute to give Fenerbahce a 1-0 win at AEL Limassol and move them top.

Marseille, who started the night heading the table, lost 2-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach. The result moves the Germans level with their opponents on four points, with the Turkish side now out in front on seven.



GROUP D



Newcastle strengthened their hold on the group, winger Gabriel Obertan giving them a 1-0 win over Club Bruges, while second-placed Bordeaux were held 1-1 at Maritimo.

Yoan Gouffran's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Roberge Valentin six minutes later.



GROUP E



Steaua Bucharest extended their lead at the top as goals from Vlad Chiriches and Raul Rusescu gave them a 2-0 win over Molde.

Group rivals Stuttgart and FC Copenhagen played out a goalless draw in Germany.



GROUP F



Raul Bobadilla (left) scored an impressive hat-trick as Young Boys overcame Udinese.

Dnipro went five points clear at the top with a 3-1 win over Napoli in Ukraine - Artem Fedetskiy, Matheus and Giuliano scoring before Edinson Cavani replied with a late consolation.

PSV Eindhoven and AIK drew 1-1 in Holland with Kwame Karikari putting the previously pointless Swedes in front on the hour before Jeremain Lens equalised with 10 minutes to go.



GROUP G



Elyaniv Barda headed a late winner as Genk stayed unbeaten at the top of the group after coming from behind to see off Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in Belgium. Barda struck with three minutes to go after Sporting's Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Hungarians Videoton beat Basle 2-1 with Fabien Schar atoning for an early own goal by scoring at the right end in injury time.



GROUP H



Rodrigo Palacio headed home an 88th-minute winner as Inter Milan saw off Partizan Belgrade at the San Siro and all but booked their place in the knockout stages.

Inter are now joint top on seven points with Rubin Kazan. Alan Kasaev's 16th-minute goal proved enough to see off Azerbaijan side Neftci in Russia.



GROUP I



Rodrigo Palacio (left) scored an 88th-minute winner for Inter Milan over Partizan Belgrade.

Lyon maintained their 100% record with a 2-1 win over last year's beaten finalists Athletic Bilbao . A Lisandro Lopez opener was cancelled out by Ibai Gomez before Jimmy Briand struck the winner four minutes from time.

Goals from Ladislav Krejci, Vaclav Kadlec and Ondrej Svejdik helped Sparta Prague to a 3-1 win over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona. Lyon now ead the group on nine points with Sparta clear in second on six.



GROUP J



It took a Jose Toche injury time equaliser for Panathinaikos to draw 1-1 with Lazio in Group J. An earlier own goal from defender Giourkas Seitaridis looked set to give the Italians the points before Toche's final touch.

Gylfi Sigurdsson earned Tottenham a point in a 1-1 draw at Maribor, who led through Robert Beric. Lazio remain unbeaten on five points with Maribor in second, but all four sides in the group are still in the running.



GROUP K



Bonfim Marlos and Cleiton Xavier gave Ukrainians Metalist Kharkiv a 2-1 win at Rosenborg after the Norwegians had led through Tarik Elyounoussi's 46th-minute strike.

But Metalist Kharkiv still conceded top spot in the group to Bayer Leverkusen, whose impressive 4-0 win at Rapid Vienna took them first on goal difference.



GROUP L



Hannover stay top after a 2-1 win at Helsingborg. Mame Biram Diouf opened the scoring for the Germans with Alvaro Santos equalising in injury time, only for Didier Ya Konan to restore Hannover's advantage in the third minute of added time.

Levante moved clear in second place with a 3-0 win over Twente, a Michel penalty followed by Pedro Rios adding a late double.

AC Milan fined and team captain banned

The classic match between Milanese teams played this past weekend, which Inter Milan won 1-0, had severe consequence for AC Milan in aftermath. The Captain for Milan got a one-game ban and a fine was given to the club as well.



The captain of Milan, Massimo Ambrosini, received a one-game ban sanction for his unruly actions towards the referee during the match with Inter.



Italian sports newspaper, Corriere dello Sport, reported that Ambrosini, who was only a sub and was not used in the game, gave the referee, Paolo Valeri, some heated complains during the half in the tunnel that lead to the locker rooms.



Ambrosini continued his ranting melee after the game was over by stepping into the field to confront the referee, Valeri. Due to Ambrosini’s action, the Italian soccer federation gave him a one-game ban.



Also, the Rossoneri fans (Milan), held a sign, in the crowd, insulting ex-player Antonio Cassano who is now playing for Inter. The Italian soccer federation issued a fine to the Milanese club worth 8,000 Euros.

Serie A: AC Milan 0-1 Inter Milan

AC Milan lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Inter in the 161st Milan derby to increase the pressure on manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The result leaves the Rossoneri in 11th place in the Italian top flight, having won only two league matches from seven.

Walter Samuel scored the only goal of the match when he met a free-kick at the far post with a brilliant header.

Inter were down to 10 men early in the second half when Yuto Nagamoto was shown a second yellow for handball.

But despite the man advantage and creating several chances, Milan could not make the breakthrough.



Allegri is a man feeling the heat according to Italian newspapers. His side went into the derby 11th in the table, nine points behind leaders Juventus and five points behind their city rivals.

What the 45-year-old needed was for his side to make a good start in what was the biggest match of their season so far, but what happened was exactly the opposite.

Allegri was already out of the dugout when former Milan player Antonio Cassano, who was jeered throughout the match by home fans, was deemed to have been fouled by Daniele Bonera on the left side of the Milan half.

The Rossoneri manager carried out a heated conversation with referee Paolo Valeri over the decision before standing back and watching Samuel twist the knife for Inter with a brilliant header at the far post from the resulting free-kick.

Allegri's side should have been punished again moments later when goalkeeper Christian Abbiati's awful pass from his area found Diego Milito. Fortunately for the Milan number one, he blocked the Argentine striker's first effort and then saved the headed follow-up.



It was a poor start for Milan, but they created more than enough chances to not only draw but even claim what would have been their 61st win in 161 derbies. They were also handed an advantage when Japan's Nagatomo was shown a second yellow for his deliberate handball.

Riccardo Montolivo, who was one of Italy's stars at Euro 2012, led the charge with shots from distance that troubled Samir Handanovic.

He was twice forced to parry the midfielder's strikes and from the second the rebound fell to Bojan, who slipped as he tried to slide his shot past the keeper.

Montolivo also thought he had scored with a brilliant volley, only for the referee to award a free-kick to Inter for a foul on their keeper.

Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng volleyed wide from 10 yards and substitute Giampaolo Pazzini failed to convert a Robinho cross by a couple of inches, while Dutch winger Urby Emanuelson narrowly missed the target with his low strike.

In the final five minutes Robinho tried to claim a penalty after he said he was pulled down by Samuel, but referee Valeri waved away Milan's appeals.

The defeat is already Milan's fourth in the league - last season their fourth league defeat did not come until February.