Post by Taxigirl on Jul 7, 2005 8:23:30 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul5j.html
Christian Vieri has crossed the city divide to join rivals Milan, but Inter patron Massimo Moratti maintains he does not feel betrayed.
“Christian went where he wanted to go and I certainly couldn’t stop him,” said the Nerazzurri owner. “I do not feel betrayed and I can assure fans that I am not frightened by the idea of facing Andriy Shevchenko and Vieri.”
It was a surprise when the striker chose to terminate his contract a year early, but he had been expected to sign for Juventus, Real Madrid or even Fiorentina. Instead, he today penned a two-year contract with the Rossoneri – the tenth club of his career.
There are strong reports that this decision means Milan have released their grip on Alberto Gilardino, who could now join Inter as a replacement for Vieri.
“We are happy with our current strike force and Vieri’s move will not affect our transfer strategy,” added Moratti. “I believe we are already strong enough as it is with Adriano and Obafemi Martins.”
The 32-year-old is yet to make an official statement other than to note, “I’m very happy with the move.” The atmosphere on the blue and black side of the San Siro is deceptively relaxed about this switch.
“The moment that the club decided by mutual consent to terminate his contract, Vieri was free to make his own choices,” explained President Giacinto Facchetti. “The fact he chose to join Inter is no business of ours. He still has the chance to play in the 2006 World Cup and needed a squad able to put him in that position. I can imagine what the fans are thinking, but our concern is to help Inter win.”
Vieri is certainly not the first Inter star to cross over and previous examples will leave them optimistic. Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf were flops with the Nerazzurri only to find their form at Milan, so Vieri hopes to continue that trend.
This free transfer is above all a bargain, as Vieri has repeatedly broken the transfer record in Italy. Juventus sold him to Atletico Madrid for £12m in 1996, then Lazio brought him back to Serie A for £17.6m a year later and Inter signed the striker for £32.1m in 1999.
Christian Vieri has crossed the city divide to join rivals Milan, but Inter patron Massimo Moratti maintains he does not feel betrayed.
“Christian went where he wanted to go and I certainly couldn’t stop him,” said the Nerazzurri owner. “I do not feel betrayed and I can assure fans that I am not frightened by the idea of facing Andriy Shevchenko and Vieri.”
It was a surprise when the striker chose to terminate his contract a year early, but he had been expected to sign for Juventus, Real Madrid or even Fiorentina. Instead, he today penned a two-year contract with the Rossoneri – the tenth club of his career.
There are strong reports that this decision means Milan have released their grip on Alberto Gilardino, who could now join Inter as a replacement for Vieri.
“We are happy with our current strike force and Vieri’s move will not affect our transfer strategy,” added Moratti. “I believe we are already strong enough as it is with Adriano and Obafemi Martins.”
The 32-year-old is yet to make an official statement other than to note, “I’m very happy with the move.” The atmosphere on the blue and black side of the San Siro is deceptively relaxed about this switch.
“The moment that the club decided by mutual consent to terminate his contract, Vieri was free to make his own choices,” explained President Giacinto Facchetti. “The fact he chose to join Inter is no business of ours. He still has the chance to play in the 2006 World Cup and needed a squad able to put him in that position. I can imagine what the fans are thinking, but our concern is to help Inter win.”
Vieri is certainly not the first Inter star to cross over and previous examples will leave them optimistic. Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf were flops with the Nerazzurri only to find their form at Milan, so Vieri hopes to continue that trend.
This free transfer is above all a bargain, as Vieri has repeatedly broken the transfer record in Italy. Juventus sold him to Atletico Madrid for £12m in 1996, then Lazio brought him back to Serie A for £17.6m a year later and Inter signed the striker for £32.1m in 1999.
