Post by Taxigirl on Sept 27, 2005 8:28:14 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sep27c.html
HELLLLLLOOOO
Pippo Maniero understands his new team’s next opponents in the Champions League better than most. The Glasgow Rangers striker feels that Inter are the side to beat in Group H and he should know.
Maniero, a former Italy U-21 international, played against them for Brescia, Venezia, Sampdoria and Milan. The last time he played for the Rossoneri in a Milan derby was in March 1998. On that occasion the Nerazzurri hammered them 3-0, with South Americans Diego Simeone and Ronaldo sharing the goals between them.
"There’s no doubt that we have been drawn against a top class team in Inter," said Maniero. "I know from experience that they are one of the truly great sides in world football. Yet this is why you love playing in such big games.
"Inter have some world class players and it will be very difficult for us. We will have to concentrate all the time and play above ourselves. This is not the sort of team we face regularly and we must be on our guard for the full 90 minutes and more."
Maniero signed a one-year contract with Rangers last month just minutes before the transfer deadline. The 33-year-old Serie A gypsy arrived on a free transfer five years after the Old Firm outfit offered Venezia £9m for his services. At the time of the offer, Maniero was scoring for fun with 54 goals in 116 games for the Lagunari between 1998 and 2002.
Helping Torino win promotion last season was another tremendous high for the SPL new boy, but the celebrations ended when the Italian FA denied them a license to play in Serie A. The players consequently became free agents and Rangers were able to pick him up for nothing. It may have been five years late, but it left Gers £9m better off.
Now all Pippo wants to do is to win silverware and what better way to start than to beat his old rivals? "Inter have to be considered amongst the favourites to win the Cup as I feel that they are better prepared and more able to go further in the competition than most," he added. "Yet you can never tell. Porto won the competition the year before last, so at this stage you can’t rule anyone out."
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Words: Dave Taylor
HELLLLLLOOOO
Pippo Maniero understands his new team’s next opponents in the Champions League better than most. The Glasgow Rangers striker feels that Inter are the side to beat in Group H and he should know.
Maniero, a former Italy U-21 international, played against them for Brescia, Venezia, Sampdoria and Milan. The last time he played for the Rossoneri in a Milan derby was in March 1998. On that occasion the Nerazzurri hammered them 3-0, with South Americans Diego Simeone and Ronaldo sharing the goals between them.
"There’s no doubt that we have been drawn against a top class team in Inter," said Maniero. "I know from experience that they are one of the truly great sides in world football. Yet this is why you love playing in such big games.
"Inter have some world class players and it will be very difficult for us. We will have to concentrate all the time and play above ourselves. This is not the sort of team we face regularly and we must be on our guard for the full 90 minutes and more."
Maniero signed a one-year contract with Rangers last month just minutes before the transfer deadline. The 33-year-old Serie A gypsy arrived on a free transfer five years after the Old Firm outfit offered Venezia £9m for his services. At the time of the offer, Maniero was scoring for fun with 54 goals in 116 games for the Lagunari between 1998 and 2002.
Helping Torino win promotion last season was another tremendous high for the SPL new boy, but the celebrations ended when the Italian FA denied them a license to play in Serie A. The players consequently became free agents and Rangers were able to pick him up for nothing. It may have been five years late, but it left Gers £9m better off.
Now all Pippo wants to do is to win silverware and what better way to start than to beat his old rivals? "Inter have to be considered amongst the favourites to win the Cup as I feel that they are better prepared and more able to go further in the competition than most," he added. "Yet you can never tell. Porto won the competition the year before last, so at this stage you can’t rule anyone out."
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Words: Dave Taylor