Referee Slavko Vincic blows the final whistle at the end of Inter Milan's Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, a result that meant the Italian side were out of the competition. AFP
Referee Slavko Vincic blows the final whistle at the end of Inter Milan's Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, a result that meant the Italian side were out of the competition. AFP
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. AFP
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. AFP
Referee Slavko Vincic shows a yellow card to Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte. AFP
Referee Slavko Vincic shows a yellow card to Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte. AFP
Inter Milan's Achraf Hakimi is tackled by Mykola Matviyenko of Shakhtar Donetsk. Reuters
Inter Milan's Achraf Hakimi is tackled by Mykola Matviyenko of Shakhtar Donetsk. Reuters
Inter goalkeeper and captain Samir Handanovic after the match. Getty
Inter goalkeeper and captain Samir Handanovic after the match. Getty
Inter striker Romelu Lukaku holds off the attentions of Shakhtar's Taras Stepanenko. EPA
Inter striker Romelu Lukaku holds off the attentions of Shakhtar's Taras Stepanenko. EPA
Inter forward Alexis Sanchez heads on goal. AFP
Inter forward Alexis Sanchez heads on goal. AFP
Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte. Reuters
Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte. Reuters
Left to right: Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic, Danilo D'Ambrosio and Inter Christian Eriksen at the end of the game. AFP
Left to right: Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic, Danilo D'Ambrosio and Inter Christian Eriksen at the end of the game. AFP
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku. AP
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku. AP
Inter Milan's Christian Eriksen, right, with teammates after the match. Reuters
Inter Milan's Christian Eriksen, right, with teammates after the match. Reuters
Inter forward Romelu Lukaku passes the ball. AFP
Inter forward Romelu Lukaku passes the ball. AFP
Inter manager Antonio Conte. EPA
Inter manager Antonio Conte. EPA

Football

'There's no time to sit and mope' – Inter Milan attempt to refocus after Champions League blow

Captain Handanovic insists team have to immediatley pick themselves up ahead of Serie A clash with Cagliari

The National

December 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic
SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)

Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

Inter Milan turn their focus back to Serie A after their disastrous Champions League exit with a trip to Cagliari awaiting on Sunday.

Leaving the competition for a third consecutive year was was a shock for Antonio Conte's expensively-assembled side, who are the top scorers domestically with 26 goals in 10 games.

Inter have spent nearly €300 million ($363m) in the past two years on new signings and their exit from Europe will hit hard.

"There's a lot of regret," said Conte after their goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk that meant Real Madrid and Borussia Monchengladbach qualified for the last 16. "We haven't had much luck in the Champions League given certain incidents and refereeing decisions.

"Now that we are out, I feel I have to say this. It seems to me that Inter have not been respected, if you go back and look at the situations that have not been reviewed or evaluated."

But captain Samir Handanovic warned that despite the frustration of finishing bottom of Group B, the club has to immediately refocus.

“We gave everything," he said. "It was a balanced group, we lost the opportunity in Kiev and today. We had to do better, but there is no time to cry.

"There's no time to sit and mope. We have to focus on the league and the Coppa Italia."

Conte's side are second in Serie A, five points behind leaders AC Milan, with the two city rivals trying to deny Juventus a 10th consecutive league title.

In his second campaign, Conte now has no choice but to deliver a 19th Scudetto for Inter, which would be their first since 2010.

The former Juventus and Chelsea manager took Inter to second in Serie A and the Europa League final in his first season.

AC Milan are riding high as they also target a 19th Scudetto and first since 2011.

Top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return against Parma after a muscle injury ruled him out of their last two league games.

Juventus, Lazio and Atalanta return to league action having all secured their passes to the Champions League knockout rounds.

Juventus, six points behind Milan in fourth, travel to lowly Genoa after their confidence-boosting 3-0 win at troubled Barcelona in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice.

___________________________________________________

Juve v Barca player ratings

BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 - Left cruelly exposed for both of Juventus’ first-half goals, but pulled out a quite brilliant one-handed save to deny Ramsey a third goal for Juve early in the second period. Getty Images
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 - Left cruelly exposed for both of Juventus’ first-half goals, but pulled out a quite brilliant one-handed save to deny Ramsey a third goal for Juve early in the second period. Getty Images
DF Sergino Dest, 6 - Wasted a great chance to get his side back into the game just before half time when he shanked well wide. The former Ajax full back was also kept busy by opposite number Sandro. Getty Images
DF Sergino Dest, 6 - Wasted a great chance to get his side back into the game just before half time when he shanked well wide. The former Ajax full back was also kept busy by opposite number Sandro. Getty Images
DF Ronald Araujo, 5 - A big night for the young Uruguayan but his collision with Ronaldo gave the referee a decision to make, and unfortunately for him, a somewhat soft penalty was awarded. Reuters
DF Ronald Araujo, 5 - A big night for the young Uruguayan but his collision with Ronaldo gave the referee a decision to make, and unfortunately for him, a somewhat soft penalty was awarded. Reuters
DF Clement Lenglet, 4 - Picked up a yellow card for leaning into Morata with an elbow, before conceding his side’s second penalty of the game when he inexplicably dangled an arm at a loose ball. Hauled off in the 55th minute for Umtiti. Getty Images
DF Clement Lenglet, 4 - Picked up a yellow card for leaning into Morata with an elbow, before conceding his side’s second penalty of the game when he inexplicably dangled an arm at a loose ball. Hauled off in the 55th minute for Umtiti. Getty Images
DF Jordi Alba, 5 - Booked for protesting too much when the referee declined to book Ramsey for a heavy challenge in the first half, and the full-back was inconsistent with his distribution when presented with opportunities in the final third. Replaced by Firpo early in the second half. Reuters
DF Jordi Alba, 5 - Booked for protesting too much when the referee declined to book Ramsey for a heavy challenge in the first half, and the full-back was inconsistent with his distribution when presented with opportunities in the final third. Replaced by Firpo early in the second half. Reuters
MF Miralem Pjanic, 6 - Moved the ball well through midfield in typical Pjanic fashion but a couple of poor strikes at goal stagnated his side’s momentum. AP Photo
MF Miralem Pjanic, 6 - Moved the ball well through midfield in typical Pjanic fashion but a couple of poor strikes at goal stagnated his side’s momentum. AP Photo
MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 - Struggled to get a foothold in the first half-hour but grew in influence and saw plenty of the ball in the final third. AP Photo
MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 - Struggled to get a foothold in the first half-hour but grew in influence and saw plenty of the ball in the final third. AP Photo
MF Trincao, 5 - Floated in and out of the game without ever looking like providing a moment of inspiration when his side needed one. Replaced at half time by Braithwaite. Getty Images
MF Trincao, 5 - Floated in and out of the game without ever looking like providing a moment of inspiration when his side needed one. Replaced at half time by Braithwaite. Getty Images
MF Pedri, 5 - Final ball let the youngster down on a couple of occasions but the same can be said for a number of his colleagues. Replaced by Puig midway through the second half. AFP
MF Pedri, 5 - Final ball let the youngster down on a couple of occasions but the same can be said for a number of his colleagues. Replaced by Puig midway through the second half. AFP
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- So often Barcelona’s hero, but the 33-year-old hit most of his efforts straight at Buffon in the Juventus goal. Not a night that will feature in the Messi highlight reel. AFP
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- So often Barcelona’s hero, but the 33-year-old hit most of his efforts straight at Buffon in the Juventus goal. Not a night that will feature in the Messi highlight reel. AFP
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 – Barely touched the ball during a first half in which he was starved of service, before clipping the bar with a glancing header in the in the 58th minute and wildly lashing wide 10 minutes later. Reuters
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 – Barely touched the ball during a first half in which he was starved of service, before clipping the bar with a glancing header in the in the 58th minute and wildly lashing wide 10 minutes later. Reuters
SUBS: Martin Braithwaite (Trincao, 46’), 6 - Fired a deflected effort just wide with 20 minutes to go and did make an effort to bring his teammates into the game. AFP
SUBS: Martin Braithwaite (Trincao, 46’), 6 - Fired a deflected effort just wide with 20 minutes to go and did make an effort to bring his teammates into the game. AFP
Samuel Umtiti (Lenglet, 55’), 6 – Booked for leaving his foot in a heavy tackle on Morata shortly after coming on. AP Photo
Samuel Umtiti (Lenglet, 55’), 6 – Booked for leaving his foot in a heavy tackle on Morata shortly after coming on. AP Photo
Junior Firpo (Alba, 56’), 5 – Brought on to inject some incision out wide but the backup left-back failed to get into the game. Booked for dissent late on. Getty Images
Junior Firpo (Alba, 56’), 5 – Brought on to inject some incision out wide but the backup left-back failed to get into the game. Booked for dissent late on. Getty Images
Ricard Puig (Pedri, 66’), 6 - The youngster showed for the ball and was keen to haul his side back into it, but the game was done by the time he was introduced. Getty Images
Ricard Puig (Pedri, 66’), 6 - The youngster showed for the ball and was keen to haul his side back into it, but the game was done by the time he was introduced. Getty Images
Oscar Mingueza (Aeaujo, 82’), N/R – Slotted into defence but didn’t have much of note to do in the closing minutes of a difficult night for Barca. Getty Images
Oscar Mingueza (Aeaujo, 82’), N/R – Slotted into defence but didn’t have much of note to do in the closing minutes of a difficult night for Barca. Getty Images
JUVENTUS PLAYER RATINGS: GK Gianluigi Buffon, 7 -- The 42-year-old’s only serious save in the first half was to tip a Messi effort around the post, with his second-half action featuring a carbon copy Messi strike that the veteran got a hand to. AFP
JUVENTUS PLAYER RATINGS: GK Gianluigi Buffon, 7 -- The 42-year-old’s only serious save in the first half was to tip a Messi effort around the post, with his second-half action featuring a carbon copy Messi strike that the veteran got a hand to. AFP
DF Alex Sandro, 7 -- Very solid defensively against the rampaging Dest, while offering plenty of width at the opposite end of the pitch. Reuters
DF Alex Sandro, 7 -- Very solid defensively against the rampaging Dest, while offering plenty of width at the opposite end of the pitch. Reuters
DF Matthijs de Ligt, 7 -- A fairly comfortable night’s work for the Dutchman, who ensured Griezmann was a virtual spectator for large periods. AFP
DF Matthijs de Ligt, 7 -- A fairly comfortable night’s work for the Dutchman, who ensured Griezmann was a virtual spectator for large periods. AFP
DF Leonardo Bonucci, 8 - Marshalled his side through a sticky 10-minute spell towards the end of the first half but had very little defensive work in the second period and had a goal of his own disallowed for offside. Reuters
DF Leonardo Bonucci, 8 - Marshalled his side through a sticky 10-minute spell towards the end of the first half but had very little defensive work in the second period and had a goal of his own disallowed for offside. Reuters
DF Danilo, 6 - Gave away the ball a couple of times when he didn’t need to and picked up a booking for pulling back Puig, but not a bad performance by any stretch. Reuters
DF Danilo, 6 - Gave away the ball a couple of times when he didn’t need to and picked up a booking for pulling back Puig, but not a bad performance by any stretch. Reuters
DF Juan Cuadrado, 7 -- Played his part in Juve’s second with a pinpoint cross to lay the ball on a plate for McKennie to smash home, and the Colombian was effective at both ends of the pitch. Replaced late on by Bernardeschi. Getty Images
DF Juan Cuadrado, 7 -- Played his part in Juve’s second with a pinpoint cross to lay the ball on a plate for McKennie to smash home, and the Colombian was effective at both ends of the pitch. Replaced late on by Bernardeschi. Getty Images
MF Arthur, 7 -- Alongside McKennie, the former Barca man did a great job in starving his ex-colleagues of space to operate in midfield for large periods. AFP
MF Arthur, 7 -- Alongside McKennie, the former Barca man did a great job in starving his ex-colleagues of space to operate in midfield for large periods. AFP
MF Weston McKennie, 8 -- Took his goal quite brilliantly with an acrobatic volley to put his side firmly in the driving seat and was equally impressive off the ball. A contender for man of the match. EPA
MF Weston McKennie, 8 -- Took his goal quite brilliantly with an acrobatic volley to put his side firmly in the driving seat and was equally impressive off the ball. A contender for man of the match. EPA
MF Aaron Ramsey, 6 -- Operating as an advanced midfielder behind the front two, the Welshman did plenty of good work in and out of possession to create space for his wing backs to bomb on. Replaced for the final 20 minutes by Rabiot. AFP
MF Aaron Ramsey, 6 -- Operating as an advanced midfielder behind the front two, the Welshman did plenty of good work in and out of possession to create space for his wing backs to bomb on. Replaced for the final 20 minutes by Rabiot. AFP
FW Alvaro Morata, 6 -- Glanced a header just over the bar after 24 minutes and the Spaniard had a couple of openings on the counterattack but chose the safe option of holding the ball up rather than baring down on goal. Booked for kicking the ball away at 3-0 before being brought off for Dybala in the closing stages. AP Photo
FW Alvaro Morata, 6 -- Glanced a header just over the bar after 24 minutes and the Spaniard had a couple of openings on the counterattack but chose the safe option of holding the ball up rather than baring down on goal. Booked for kicking the ball away at 3-0 before being brought off for Dybala in the closing stages. AP Photo
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 -- Never looked like missing his 13th-minute spot kick as the former Real Madrid man rifled home from 12 yards, before tucking away his second penalty early in the second half to put the game to bed. Replaced in injury time by Chiesa. Getty Images
FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 -- Never looked like missing his 13th-minute spot kick as the former Real Madrid man rifled home from 12 yards, before tucking away his second penalty early in the second half to put the game to bed. Replaced in injury time by Chiesa. Getty Images
SUBS: Rodrigo Bentancur (Arthur, 71’), 6 -- Helped maintain Juventus’ stranglehold on the game in the final 20 minutes or so. Getty Images
SUBS: Rodrigo Bentancur (Arthur, 71’), 6 -- Helped maintain Juventus’ stranglehold on the game in the final 20 minutes or so. Getty Images
Adrien Rabiot (Ramsey, 71’), 6 -- In the right place at the right time to halt a couple of weaving Messi runs. Getty Images
Adrien Rabiot (Ramsey, 71’), 6 -- In the right place at the right time to halt a couple of weaving Messi runs. Getty Images
Federico Bernardeschi (Cuadrado, 85’), N/R – Kept the Barca nice and quiet in the closing stages. AFP
Federico Bernardeschi (Cuadrado, 85’), N/R – Kept the Barca nice and quiet in the closing stages. AFP
Paulo Dybala (Morata, 86’), N/R – Unable to add to his side’s goal tally in his short cameo. Reuters
Paulo Dybala (Morata, 86’), N/R – Unable to add to his side’s goal tally in his short cameo. Reuters
Federico Chiesa (Ronaldo, 90+1’) N/R – Not enough time to make an impact. Reuters
Federico Chiesa (Ronaldo, 90+1’) N/R – Not enough time to make an impact. Reuters

___________________________________________________

"Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season," the triumphant Portugal captain said after the game.

As for getting one over his old La Liga foe Lionel Messi, Ronaldo said:  "I have always had a very cordial relationship with him. I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.

"He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.

"But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him."

Seventh-placed Lazio host Hellas Verona, who are just one point behind the Roman club, with Atalanta, in ninth, hosting Fiorentina.

Tuscan side Fiorentina are hovering above the relegation zone and hoping for a first win since October 25 against Atalanta, who have taken just five points in their last six games.

Atalanta's Josip Ilicic is hoping for a first league goal this season against his former club.

The 32-year-old was out for two months with personal problems after the coronvirus lockdown, but got his first goal in the Champions League win over Liverpool two weeks ago.

Illcic played 105 matches with Fiorentina in Serie A between 2013 and 2017, before joining Atalanta where he had his best season last campaign with 15 league goals.

Third-placed Napoli, looking for a first win in their newly-named Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, host Sampdoria.

Gennaro Gattuso's side are six points behind Milan, having scored eight goals in their last two games against Roma and Crotone.

Sassuolo host Benevento on Friday looking to regain some of their early momentum, having dropped to fifth in the table as Roma head to Bologna just a point behind Roberto De Zerbi's flamboyant side.

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Transmission: Eight-speed auto

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While you're here
Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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FIXTURES

Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan

The top two teams qualify for the World Cup

Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.

Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff

Frida%20
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Five expert hiking tips
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SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)

Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

Serie AInter MilanAC Milan