The Time is Now! Inter vs Bari

By: Eros Miranda | August 22nd, 2009

The time is here. Every drop of sweat that we shed in Serie B last year was in order to be able to live this moment again. Tomorrow we take on the so-called “Italian Champs”. Now I bet you that all the Inter fans are already sure about getting three points from the match tomorrow but I can tell them all right now that our eleven men who will step onto the field will fight for every ball and will not let Inter walk all over them, they have worked way too hard for that. Just like our captain Gillet stated “nothing is impossible in football.” I assure you that our great captain will do everything in his power to guarantee us atleast a draw. Ok, we know this match is going to be hard but we have Bari in our heart and us true Baresi will never let Bari be alone, this is why tomorrow we will be allowed to start dreaming again.

In order to give you a perspective from an inter fan, I contacted Johonna(blogger of the Inter offside) and asked her some questions about the match tomorrow:

Who do you think will be the difference maker for Inter?

This one is hard for me. In the past, it has always been Ibra but now that he is gone, we have a whole new team philosophy. Like you, I think our keeper Julio Cesar is our secret weapon. Even if the forwards cannot find the net, he can keep what would have been a loss to a respectable draw. I think Eto’o has a lot to prove and will be doing whatever he can to hit the back of the net. My only worry is that he will be trying too hard, if you know what I mean.

What do you believe are Bari’s chances agaisnt the Champions of Italy?

I wish I could say zilch, but I think it could be iffy for us. Dont get me wrong, I dont think Bari will beat us, but a draw is not out of the question. Teams come to Milan with nothing to lose – they always give their all. I often complain that we always get everyone’s best performance – it is the curse of being one of the big teams. What I love about football, though, is that any team can beat any other team. There is so much that can happen, so much that goes into a game, that the outcome is never guaranteed. Every team deserves respect no matter their place on the table. Right now, though, Bari has a bit of a lucky break as Cambiasso is out with injury. Missing him definitely throws a monkey wrench into our plans. Basically, now we have to rely on Vieira and you never know when he is going to completely lose his marbles. It makes me nervous just thinking about it.

What do you think of Ventura stating that his Bari side are going to embarrass Inter in the Guisseppe Meazza?

I think that is what they all say. Everyone comes to the San Siro to stick it to Inter and usually, they dont. Occasionally though, they manage to take a point or three and that is why I never say never. I think Bari will play the game that many teams do: play 9 behind the ball and try to capitalize on a break. Hopefully, Mourinho has been practicing that with the boys and we will know how to deal with it.

Prediction of the final score:

Yikes. I am far too superstitious to answer this! I hate to wuss out, but I am afraid that if I predict a win, I will be punished by the Calcio Gods for my hubris with a devastating loss. Similarly, if I predict a loss, I am afraid it will come true. Now I have to go light some candles and throw some salt or something. I just hope we play a good game without any errors and no one gets hurt. I know, I totally copped out of that question.

Once again thank you Johonna.

Probable lineups:

It seems like Ventura is going to go with a (4-4-2). Gillet; Masiello, Ranocchia, Stellini, Parisi; Alvarez, De Vezze, Gazzi, Koman; Sforzini, Kutuzov

The team is still missing some depth but I think Gillet, Ranocchia and Kutuzov will have a great outing tomorrow.

Ragazzi let us not be scared to be what we used to be. Lets not be scared to make history and make our move to Serie A permanent because now that we’re here there is no one who can take us back down. Our eleven men will go down there tomorrow but they will represent all of us, all of Bari. And Inter fans you’re going to get to really know Bari tomorrow but don’t forget that we will be anxiously waiting for you in the San Nicola.