APPIANO GENTILE - Luis Figo and Luis Jimenez trained with the squad this morning as the Nerazzurri began their preparations for Inter-Juventus after a two-day break. Mourinho’s reduced squad went through an aerobic workout after a warm-up, continuing with possession drills and a series of tactical practice games.
Hernan Crespo worked with his team-mates for the initial phase of today’s training, before continuing with some individual circuit training. Nelson Rivas (injury rehab, jogging) and Cristian Chivu (therapy, physiotherapy) worked separately.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who won his third Guldbollen last night, is on leave, while twelve players are away on international duty: Mario Balotelli and Francesco Bolzoni (Germany U21 v Italy U21 in Osnabruck); Davide Santon (Italy U20 v Switzerland U20 in Como); Nicolas Burdisso and Javier Zanetti (Scotland v Argentina); Adriano, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Mancini (Brazil v Portugal); Dejan Stankovic (Serbia v Bulgaria); Patrick Vieira (France v Uruguay); and Victor Obinna (Colombia v Nigeria).

Zlatan was awarded “The Ball of Gold” as the best Swedish soccer player 2008 at the Swedish Soccer Awards in Stockholm. This is the third year he has won this title, and as Ibra said:
“Third time’s a charm. Now it feels like I have been written into the history books.”
The prize jury was [...]

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is demanding official support for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s bid to win next month’s Ballon d’Or.
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APPIANO GENTILE - Six players continued with their injury rehabilitation at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti this morning. Olivier Dacourt, Luis Figo and Luis Jimenez performed specific resistance drills after warm-up and stretching exercises. Hernan Crespo worked on the sand track, while Cristian Chivu and Nelson Rivas had therapy.

MILAN - Massimo Moratti reflected on Inter’s victory in Palermo, commented on the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and looked ahead to next Saturday’s ‘derby d’Italia’ in a brief interview with Sky Sport Italia this morning on his arrival at the Saras offices in Milan’s city centre.
This is what the Inter president had to say:
Saturday’s match in Palermo was a particularly difficult acid test for Inter, who passed it brilliantly.
"Yes. They played well. Ibrahimovic did very well, but the whole team replied positively. It was important to show it in Palermo, at a difficult ground."
Ibrahimovic was extraordinary. Today he will receive the Swedish footballer of the year award. What does he lack to win the Ballon d’Or?
"He probably needs considerable support from the FA that he plays in - the Italian FA. It would be nice if they gave him a bit more support. As a team we try to support him but a lot will depend on the choices of the journalists, the French ones in particular."
Ibrahimovic said the match against Juventus is one to win at all costs?
"This is what you say before every match, but for the tradition of the match, for a thousand reasons and for the kind of championship it is becoming, it’s very important to win it."
Can we say that the title race is between three teams: Inter, Juventus and Milan?
"You never know. We’re all close together. All you need is a slip-up and the others are right there. It’s interesting because the league race is traditionally between these three clubs."
If you could take away a player from Juventus, who would it be?
"It would always be Del Piero, who is very good. He’s such a good player and he deserves all the popularity he gets."
What difference is there between the rivalries with Milan and Juventus?
"I often think about this too. The rivalry with Juventus is older, traditional and linked to Scudettos. Instead, with Milan it’s about being in the same city."

Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi says Inter Milan would be nothing without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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The Nerazzurri have set a hefty price-tag on Argentine hitman Hernan Crespo in order to fend off interest from Real Madrid, according to reports…by Vince Masiello

After catastrophic results in Coppa del Rey and elimination from the competition, the pressure is mounting on Bernd Schusters back. Not only bad results give him headaches these days. The alarm bells are on and next match against Valladolid could decide Schusters future.
Huge injury list is another big problem for German strategist, but news about [...]

Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juventus defender Olof Mellberg pull out of Sweden’s friendly against the Netherlands. Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said the players were being rested at their request.

Chelseas England midfielder Frank Lampard says he is sure he made the right call to stay at Stamford Bridge instead of moving to join former mentor Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.