STANKOVIC WANTS TO END CAREER

Stankovic says that he wants to end career with Inter Milan. The Serbia international midfielder has been linked with Schalke this week, but insists he is Inter through and through.

“It’s the first time that I have heard a report of Schalke’s interest and I can say that’s it great teams are still after you when you are 32.

Stankovic says that he wants to end career with Inter Milan. The Serbia international midfielder has been linked with Schalke this week, but insists he is Inter through and through.

“It’s the first time that I have heard a report of Schalke’s interest and I can say that’s it great teams are still after you when you are 32.

“However, I don’t see myself being far from Inter and Italy where I have lived for 13 years. This was my first experience abroad and I hope that it will be my last. It’s as if I am at home here at Inter. All the teams respect me and I can only say good things about the fans. For this reason I don’t see myself playing for any other team, not even in the distant future. ”

ETO’O PLEASED WITH START

Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o says that he is happy with the club’s start this season’s Champions League. The Nerazzurri managed a 2-2 draw at tournament debutants FC Twente on Tuesday night, with Eto’o getting his name on the scoresheet.

Inter Milan ended a 45-year wait last season when they were crowned kings of Europe thanks to a remarkable treble under the stewardship of former boss Jose Mourinho.

Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o says that he is happy with the club’s start this season’s Champions League. The Nerazzurri managed a 2-2 draw at tournament debutants FC Twente on Tuesday night, with Eto’o getting his name on the scoresheet.

Inter Milan ended a 45-year wait last season when they were crowned kings of Europe thanks to a remarkable treble under the stewardship of former boss Jose Mourinho.

Now Rafa Benitez is the man at the helm and Eto’o is pleased with the start to the campaign, claiming he is in good personal shape. “It is not bad, we were down 2-1 away from home, it is very difficult away from home to come back, and we showed again we are a strong team,” he told skysports.com.

INTER DRAW ON OPENING DAY

Inter Milan could manage only a draw on the opening day after being held by Bologna. Playing on Monday after their European Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid on Friday, Inter dominated but were unable to find a way past the Bologna defence.

Inter were encamped in Bologna’s half for much of the second period but Emiliano Viviano made some key saves.

And late on Samuel Eto’o clipped the bar from substitute Coutinho’s cross.

“He did very well with his head, with his hands, with everything,” joked Benitez of Viviano’s performance.

Inter Milan could manage only a draw on the opening day after being held by Bologna. Playing on Monday after their European Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid on Friday, Inter dominated but were unable to find a way past the Bologna defence.

Inter were encamped in Bologna’s half for much of the second period but Emiliano Viviano made some key saves.

And late on Samuel Eto’o clipped the bar from substitute Coutinho’s cross.

“He did very well with his head, with his hands, with everything,” joked Benitez of Viviano’s performance.

On Sunday, Inter’s rivals AC Milan romped to a 4-0 win over Lecce, while on Saturday Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, who finished second last season, drew 0-0 with Cesena.

Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid were held 0-0 at Mallorca in Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge, while champions Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win over Racing Santander.

INTER NOT READY TO DROP MAICON PRICE

Inter Milan have categorically said that they are not willing to drop the price for Brazilian right-back, Maicon. Yesterday, it was reported that Real Madrid issued an ultimatum to Inter saying that their final offer for the defender is €22 million and they won’t pay anything above that. Inter Milan have reportedly rejected Madrid’s ultimatum.

Maicon’s agent Antonio Caliendo has said “If things don’t improve between both the clubs then Maicon will stay with Inter. He is not in any hurry to leave the European Champions.”

Inter Milan have categorically said that they are not willing to drop the price for Brazilian right-back, Maicon. Yesterday, it was reported that Real Madrid issued an ultimatum to Inter saying that their final offer for the defender is €22 million and they won’t pay anything above that. Inter Milan have reportedly rejected Madrid’s ultimatum.

Maicon’s agent Antonio Caliendo has said “If things don’t improve between both the clubs then Maicon will stay with Inter. He is not in any hurry to leave the European Champions.”

“I have kept Maicon away from all this transfer drama because he needs a well deserved rest.”

Inter Milan have issued their own ultimatum saying that they will not reduce their price. We are still ready to sell the player but only for €28 million.

Latest reports have suggested that Real Madrid are not ready to pay more than €22 million and have already started looking for alternatives. Madrid have been looking for a quality full back and have shown interest in Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Nemanja Vidic and Bruno Alves.

INTER MILAN IN FOR BENITEZ

Italian football giants Inter Milan have reportedly established contacts with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Inter Milan made their move at the weekend, just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello.

“Inter have been happy for everyone to think they want Capello as it’s taken everyone’s attention away from Benitez,” The Sun quoted an Italian source, as saying.

The Italian team hopes to cash in on the uncertainty over Benitez’s position as Liverpool manager, as it is being speculated that Capello wants to see out his England contract until after Euro 2012.

Italian football giants Inter Milan have reportedly established contacts with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Inter Milan made their move at the weekend, just when everyone thought they were chasing England manager Fabio Capello.

“Inter have been happy for everyone to think they want Capello as it’s taken everyone’s attention away from Benitez,” The Sun quoted an Italian source, as saying.

The Italian team hopes to cash in on the uncertainty over Benitez’s position as Liverpool manager, as it is being speculated that Capello wants to see out his England contract until after Euro 2012.

“Benitez is a manager I have always considered very good, but for the moment he is engaged,” Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti said.

Benitez, who has also been courted by Juventus, plans to hold more talks over his future at Anfield amid growing speculation they will part company following the Kop’s worst season since 1999.

Inter up for the Treble

Inter Milan kept their treble hopes alive with a 1-0 victory away to Fiorentina in the Italian Cup semi-final, second leg on Tuesday to reach May’s final 2-0 on aggregate.

Samuel Eto’o scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes into the second half to ensure Inter reached their fifth Italian Cup final in six years.

If AS Roma manage to hold onto their 2-0 first-leg lead over Udinese next week, it will also be the fifth final between the two sides in those last six years.

Inter assistant coach Daniele Bernazzani told Rai TV he was satisfied.

Inter Milan kept their treble hopes alive with a 1-0 victory away to Fiorentina in the Italian Cup semi-final, second leg on Tuesday to reach May’s final 2-0 on aggregate.

Samuel Eto’o scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes into the second half to ensure Inter reached their fifth Italian Cup final in six years.

If AS Roma manage to hold onto their 2-0 first-leg lead over Udinese next week, it will also be the fifth final between the two sides in those last six years.

Inter assistant coach Daniele Bernazzani told Rai TV he was satisfied.

“We played the game we needed to, we didn’t take many risks, we defended in the first half and Eto’o’s goal finished the tie,” he said.

“In these months we’re playing for everything but fortunately that means we’re improving.

“I’d give anything to be in this situation.”

Inter beat CSKA

Inter Milan reached the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2003 as they eased to a 2-0 aggregate victory over CSKA Moscow.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder grabbed the only goal of the game in the sixth minute as his low free-kick found its way through the CSKA wall and beyond goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Things got worse for the hosts when they had substitute Chidi Odiah sent off early in the second half and Inter were comfortably able to repel any pressure from their hosts and coast in the last four.

Inter Milan reached the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2003 as they eased to a 2-0 aggregate victory over CSKA Moscow.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder grabbed the only goal of the game in the sixth minute as his low free-kick found its way through the CSKA wall and beyond goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Things got worse for the hosts when they had substitute Chidi Odiah sent off early in the second half and Inter were comfortably able to repel any pressure from their hosts and coast in the last four.

Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda dragged a long-range effort wide in the early stages for the hosts. But Inter landed an early body blow as they opened the scoring. Midfielder Sneijder drilled in a low free-kick that flew under the leaping wall and fooled keeper Akinfeev to end up in the back of the net.

Inter Chase Gerrard

According to the Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho will make Steven Gerrard his number one transfer target, hoping to lure the Liverpool skipper to Inter Milan over the summer.

Mourinho is clearly a fan of 29 year-old Gerrard, having attempted to twice tempt him away from Anfield during his time as Chelsea manager. Gerrard has been at home town club Liverpool his entire career, making his debut in 1998 and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005.

According to the Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho will make Steven Gerrard his number one transfer target, hoping to lure the Liverpool skipper to Inter Milan over the summer.

Mourinho is clearly a fan of 29 year-old Gerrard, having attempted to twice tempt him away from Anfield during his time as Chelsea manager. Gerrard has been at home town club Liverpool his entire career, making his debut in 1998 and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005.

Although Gerrard signed a new contract lasting until 2013 last summer, he has reportedly been unhappy with Liverpool’s probable failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League and the lack of money available to improve the squad.

According to the Daily Mail, Inter believe it could cost between £25million and £30million to sign Gerrard. Mourinho may also include volatile young striker Mario Balotelli as a makeweight in a proposed deal.