Inter's Diego Forlan nearing comeback after injury lay-off

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri has received some encouraging news from the treatment room in the build-up to Saturday's Serie A match at home against Udinese as striker Diego Forlan is nearing full match fitness again after a spell on the sidelines due to injury.

The experienced attacker picked up a muscular problem halfway through October while away on international duty and has since been out of action.

However, the Nerazzurri have now announced on their official website that Forlan has returned to the training pitch and is close to making his comeback.

Forlan featured in a training game on Wednesday without any significant problems before continuing with an individual practice session.

The 32-year-old joined Inter from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window but has so far been unable to make an impact due to injury, making only five appearances and scoring just one goal, all in Serie A.

Forlán: "Me doy un 9 en mi época en el Atlético"

Diego Forlán Corazo (Montevideo, 1979) vive sus primeros meses en el Inter. Era hora de evaluar 'in situ', en Milán, su recuerdo del Atlético. 'El Cacha' está feliz allí, muy feliz, por más que lleve sólo un gol y esté lesionado hace un mes.

¿Cómo está de la lesión, cuánto le queda?
Bien, por suerte me queda poco. Al menos, esto me ha servido para descansar, lo cual no está mal, pues llevo un año y medio sin vacaciones.

Parece que todavía no ha rendido lo que se esperaba.
Es verdad, pero recién llegué. Es pronto. Se dieron muchas cosas a la vez: no tuve una buena pretemporada por la Copa América, vine con molestias, sin vacaciones, a un equipo nuevo, y no estaba al cien por cien. Esta lesión me va a servir para partir desde cero.

¿Cuál es la mayor diferencia entre Inter y Atlético?
El Inter es un equipo muy grande, con mucha repercusión internacional. Quizás en eso sí hay diferencia, siendo el Atleti también un grande, pero sí hay una ligera diferencia. La gente me trata bien igual. En Italia los hinchas, incluso los de otros equipos, me saludan y felicitan.

¿Por? ¿Aquí le trataba mal la gente del Madrid?
No, para nada. Los madridistas también eran bárbaros conmigo. La hinchada, al final, es muy educada y agradable en Milán, Madrid o Villarreal.

¿Qué se traería del Atlético al Inter?
A algunos compañeros, más por el lado humano: Godín, Juanfran u otros que se fueron. Pero la cosa es como es.

¿Y del Inter al Atleti?
Hay una cosa del Inter que me alucina. Siendo un club tan grande, me parece muy familiar, desde la cúpula, el presidente, hasta los empleados. La cercanía es espectacular. La gente que rodea a los jugadores es genial, algo que también tuve en Madrid, por cierto. El Inter es un poco similar en eso a lo que viví en el Manchester United.

Vayamos con el Atleti. ¿Qué es lo primero que se le viene a la cabeza de esa experiencia?
La gente del club... Ricardo, el de seguridad, los que nos cuidaban, Alberto, Gorka, Esteban, Jesús, Pitillas, el doctor Villalón, el delegado, Pedro Pablo, los utilleros, Ciri y Cristian, Dani... toda esa gente que trabaja allí, el chófer del bus... Gente anónima que hace funcionar el club.

¿Sigue sus resultados?
¡Claro! Quiero que gane siempre. No me gusta que pase lo que le está pasando ahora. Aparte, por amigos como Godín, con quien estoy más en contacto. Y sí, veo todos los partidos que puedo.

Usted se fue, se fueron el Kun y De Gea, pero el Atlético sigue igual, una continua montana rusa.
Sí, es una lástima. Viéndolo ahora desde fuera, uno toma consciencia de que lo que hicimos nosotros tuvo mucho valor. Tres finales, dos títulos, estar en Champions dos años... Uno toma consciencia de todo el tiempo que llevaba el club sin ganar algo. Es una lástima que se haya desmantelado ese plantel en tan poco tiempo, pues apenas hace dos años de aquello.

Visto en la distancia, esos títulos parecen un milagro.
Teníamos un buen equipo por más que sufríeramos momentos duros, como ahora le pasa al actual plantel. Tienen que tener paciencia. Esto recién empieza.

¿Ve lógica la presión que tiene ya Manzano sobre sí?
No, es una pena. Pero es que en el fútbol en general hay mucha impaciencia. Conocí a Manzano y es un buen trabajador, buen tipo y con preparación. Cuando me fui, le dije que era una lástima que no fuéramos a coincidir más tiempo.

¿Cómo se cambia esa histeria que vive el Atlético hace años y que no la sofoca ni los títulos ganados?
No tengo ni idea. Habría que sentar a todos: hinchas, jugadores, Prensa, y hacer un fórum para sacar conclusiones. ¡Yo qué sé! Es muy complejo, porque abarca varias generaciones. Mire, le voy a contar una cosa que nunca conté. Me acuerdo de un partido de Liga justo después de ganar los dos títulos: la Europa League y la Supercopa ante el Inter. Estábamos en el banquillo con Antonio López, Fran Escriba, segundo de Quique, y otros, y de pronto escuchamos al Frente Atlético y parte de la grada cantar la canción ésa de: "Volveremos a ser campeones, como en el 96". ¡Y acabábamos de ser supercampeones de Europa! Yo me volví hacia el banquillo y les dije: "Muchachos, ¿nosotros no acabamos de ganar un título, como es que éstos cantan lo del 96?". Eso te da una idea de cómo está todo. ¡¡¡Ya no se acordaban de nuestros dos títulos en apenas dos meses!!!! ¿No valía nada aquello o qué? La verdad es que me sentó muy mal, y, como profesional, me molestó.

Diego Forlan: I’d rate 9 my performance in Atletico

After the Inter-Lille match Diego Forlan gave an interview to Marca.

How’s your injury?
Well, fortunately, I’ll be okay soon. At least it helped me to get some rest, which is good, since I didn’t have a vacation for a year and a half.

It seems that your expectations in Italy haven’t been met yet.
It’s true, but I’ve only recently arrived here. It’s too early to draw conclusions. A lot of things came together: I haven’t had a good pre-season because of Copa America, I had minor injuries, I didn’t rest, I joined a new team, and I was not 100% fit. This injury will help me start from a scratch.

What is the main difference between Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid?
Inter is a big team with a great international significance. Perhaps this is the main difference, though Atletico is also a well-known team, but still there is a difference. The people over here treat me very well. In Italy, the fans always greet me, even when they cheer for other teams, I am always warmly welcomed.

And in Madrid, people were not treating you good?
 Not at all. The Real Madrid fans have always welcomed me, too. In general, the fans have always been very polite and friendly everywhere: in Milan, in Madrid, in Villareal.

Whom would you take from Atletico to Inter?
Several friends, more for their human qualities: Godin, Juanfran and few others who left Atletico. But the things are the way they are.

And to Atletico from Inter?
One thing about Inter which is truely impressive is that being such a big club, everybody here is very simple, friendly, close to each other, from the president to ordinary employees. This is amazing. People who work in the club are simply great, but in Madrid they were great too, by the way. Inter is a bit like Manchester United in that sense.

Lets get back to Atletico. Whom do you remember from the club?
 All the people in the club are great … (Diego starts counting a whole bunch of people by their names: doctors, security guards, drivers, handymen…) Everybody who works there, all those anonymous people who drive the club forward.

Do you still follow Atletico?
Of course! I always wish them win. I don’t like what’s happening there right now. In addition, I am constantly in contact with some friends of mine, such as Godin. I try to watch their games whenever I can.


You, Kun and De Gea have left, but Atletico is still struggling, the same continuous roller coaster.
Yes, and it’s a pity. Looking back, I realize how valuable was everything that we have done. Three finals, two titles, played two years in the Champions League … And we achieved that after a long period of time when the club stalled and was not winning anything. It’s unfortunate that such a good team disappeared in such a short time, because all the good things happened just two years ago.

Now these titles look like a miracle…
We had a good team, though we had some tough times, like now. But we have to have patience. This is just the beginning.

Do you think the pressure on Manzano is justified?
No, and this is very bad. But generally, in football there is a lot of impatience. Manzano is a very good coach, well-educated, hard-working. When I left, I told him: it’s very unfortunate that we were not able to work together more.

How to change this history of failures in Atletico?
I have no idea. Maybe get together with fans, players, media in a big forum and come to some conclusions. I don’t know! This is a very complex process, since it covers several generations. Look, I’m going to tell you something that I never told before. I remember one game in Spanish La Liga, after we won two titles: the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. We were on the bench with Antonio Lopez, Quique, and few others, and suddenly we heard the fans of Atletico singing the song that said “Let’s become champions again, like in 1996!” But we’ve just become super champions of Europe! I turned to the bench and said, “Guys, but we’ve just won 2 titles, and they still sing about 1996?!” It gives you an idea ​​how things are. Just in two months they’ve already forgotten the titles that we’ve won! Are these titles worth nothing?! Frankly, I was hurt, and as a professional, very disappointed.

What were your own mistakes in Atletico?
 That I was not a hypocrite. Other people told me that, too. I was honest and did not want to deceive people. Obviously, I was attached to the club, I spent four years there. I hope that people understand that. But at that moment, I said something very unpopular and was misunderstood.

How would you rank your own performance for the club?
(Thinks) High. I would give myself 9. We won two Cups, reached the finals of the King’s Cup, the club achieved its goals, I was a top scorer, won the Golden Boot. I’d give myself 9.

Do you still think about Quique Flores?
No.

Let’s move on from Atletico. How many years do you have left in football?
I have a two-year contract with Inter, with the possibility of renewal for another year, but I don’t look beyond that. I am now at the stage of my career where I really enjoy every game, because it’s heading to an end. I am glad I came here, though in Madrid I had my house, my friends, good atmosphere, good club, but I needed to change something in my life.


Would you ever play in Spain again?
 I don’t know. Frankly, there are other places where I would like to play, for example, in Brazil, where my father played (in Sao Paulo), or in the United States. I would like to try there. But first I want to play a few years in this great club (Inter).

As a striker, you depend on your physical form. When your form starts to decline, would you play in midfield?
Actually, I somewhat play in this position in the Uruguay national team now, with Cavani and Suarez on the edge. I feel comfortable in midfield, but nevertheless I still love being a striker. Please give me a little more time in attack.

Is it more difficult to score goals in Italy?
The statistics say it all. In Italy, there is a lot of great strikers, but they score less goals than in Spain. It’s a fact. Games are more closed, less space, more tactics, and especially for us, forwards: the teams are completely closed behind. I was watching Napoli-Parma the other day, and Parma was all sitting back there, closed and played on the counterattacks. Napoli had all the possession, but there was no open space for the attacks.

So, Messi and Ronaldo wouldn’t score that much in Italy.
I prefer not enter into this debate. And taking advantage of this last question, I’d like to say hello to all my friends in Atletico and Villareal. Greetings from Milan!

Diego Forlan and Victoria Saravia in Milan

The paparazzi pursuing Forlan are not asleep even in Italy. As soon as he appeared on the streets of Milan with a beautiful girl, they immediately took his picture. But because the paparazzi are Italians, they are not familiar with the Argentine-Uruguayan showbiz, and a girl for some time remained “unidentified object.” The photos were reprinted with caution by various blogs around the world, but nobody really knew who she was and what she was doing with Forlan. Until finally the mysterious pictures caught the eye of the inhabitants of Rio de la Plata. “Hey, this is Victoria Saravia!” – screamed the press and began to propagate a new cover story for tabloids.

Victoria Saravia is a 24-year-old Uruguayan model who now lives in Argentina. She is fairly well-known on both sides of the Rio de la Plata, because, firstly, she is a daughter of the famous Uruguayan politics Villanueva Saravia, who died in 1998 under unknown circumstances. And secondly, Victoria is a former girlfriend of another famous Uruguayan striker Carlos Bueno. Currently, she is on vacation in Europe, she was in Paris, then Ibiza, then Madrid, but tomorrow she returns to Buenos Aires. What kind of relationship links Diego and Victoria is still unknown, but the speculations in the press have already begun.

In our opinion: it’s not true, they are not in a relationship. We all know that these kind of stories give the models 5 minute of fame, boost their modelling careers, and raise their contract $$$. But we shall see… If it is true, good luck to them both. But if it is indeed a lie, it’s not nice to build a fame on the name of Forlan, really.

Quique Flores Says Inter Have Approached Him About Coaching

The Gian Piero Gasperini reign as Inter boss might well be coming to a close as former Atletico Madrid boss Quique Flores says that Inter have contacted his agent about a coaching position at the club.

While Massimo Moratti has given Gasperini a vote of confidence and said his job is not on the line, it would seem that Inter are making plans if the club’s losing streak continues.

“There has been an approach with [agent] Jorge Mendes,” Flores told MARCA TV. “If Inter call me, even though Diego Forlan is there, of course I will go.”

Forlan and Flores have failed to see eye-to-eye for several months now, with the Uruguayan striker stating his former coach had a problem with him, and referred to the Spaniard as a troublemaker.

Questioned about his troublesome relationship with Forlan, Flores said it all began after the Uefa Super Cup against Inter in August of 2010.

"On that day, as he celebrated, I saw a different Diego," Flores noted.

Inter sorry for Forlan error

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has apologised for the mistake that saw Diego Forlan named in their Champions League squad for the group stages.

New signing Forlan appeared for Atletico Madrid in the qualifying rounds of the Europe League, hence making himself unavailable to Inter until the knock-out stages of the Champions League (assuming they get that far).

To make matters worse, Forlan's inclusion in Inter's 25-man squad came at the cost of Luc Castaignos, leaving the Italians unable to call on either striker.

"I'm sorry mostly for Castaignos because otherwise he could have played," Moratti said. "The Forlan oversight is fairly serious and it's not something we can fix, we have to find a way of avoiding it in the future."

Uruguay striker Forlan was bought as a direct replacement for striker Samuel Eto'o, who left Inter to join Russian side Anzhi for a reported fee of £25 million this summer. Eto's sale was widely criticised by Inter fans, who feel the club should have done more to keep the Cameroon international.

"The fans are very sensitive to big problems and the difficult moments the club finds itself in, and of course sometimes they can't help but show their dissent," Moratti said. "I understand that, it's human. The financial fairplay forces painful decisions to be made to come back within the parameters.

"But I'm convinced we'll still be very strong."

Inter unable to register Diego Forlan for Champions League group stage

The Uruguayan striker will miss games against CSKA Moscow, Lille and Trabzonspor after featuring during Atletico Madrid's Europa League qualifying campaign.

Inter have been hit with the news that new signing, Diego Forlan cannot be registered for the club's Champions League group stage campaign.

The Serie A giants attempted to include the Uruguayan striker in their 25-man squad for Europe's elite competition, but discovered that Forlan is ineligible after playing for former club, Atletico Madrid in their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Stromsgodset.

Forlan will be eligible to be registered for the competition if the side qualify from the group stage to the round of 16 which is due to take place in February 2012.

With the 32-year-old due to be absent for the group stages of the Champions League, Gian Piero Gasperini will have to rely on a strikeforce of Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito, Luc Castaignos and Mauro Zarate

Forlan officially joined the 2011 Coppa Italia winners on transfer deadline day for an undisclosed figure after spending four seasons at Atletico.

Diego Forlan: I will play wherever Gian Piero Gasperini wants me to play

The transfer of the Uruguay international was officially confirmed earlier on Wednesday and he has insisted that he is willing to be versatile for his new coach.

Diego Forlan could not hide his happiness after completing his move from Atletico Madrid to Inter, and assured that he would play anywhere on the pitch for the chance to pull on the club's shirt.

The Uruguayan Copa America winner rescinded his link with Atletico at the weekend, and on Wednesday afternoon was in Milan to sign a two-year deal with the 2010 Champions League winners.

Speaking to Inter Channel shortly after completing his transfer, the 32-year-old striker looked forward to his new Italian challenge, and affirmed that he was not daunted by the possibility of playing out of position.

"I will play where the trainer [Gian Piero Gasperini] tells me. Will I sacrifice myself like Eto'o did? Of course. In the national team I am not the main forward because [Luis] Suarez and [Edinson] Cavani are there, and I play as a defensive midfielder," Forlan pointed out in the interview.

"I will repeat again that I will play where the coach wants me to."

The former Villarreal and Manchester United man went on to admit that his Italian is rather rusty: "I studied it when I was little but I remember almost nothing. I hope to get it back soon.

"I am delighted to be here. Milan is beautiful, and the Interista fans are even more so."

'I want to play well and win' - Diego Forlan upon landing in Milan

Forlan will fill the shoes of Samuel Eto'o, who left for Anzhi Makhachkala earlier in the month, and upon arriving in Milan, he praised his new club.

"I am happy to be here, Inter are a very important club, with great players," Forlan told Sky Sport 24.

"I am very thankful to [Inter] president [Massimo] Moratti. I have already spoken with [Esteban] Cambiasso, [Diego] Milito and [Javier] Zanetti and they have told me they are happy with my coming.

"I want to play well and win, I promise all the Inter fans I will do my best to help the club reach their goals."

Inter, who will kick off their Serie A campaign with Palermo on September 11, will tackle CSKA Moscow, Lille and Trabzonspor in the Champions League.

Diego Forlan: Good-Bye Atletico Madrid, Welcome to Inter Milan.

Uruguay international has waved goodbye to the Madrid-based outfit as he prepares for Serie A move, and praised Inter president Massimo Moratti for making the move possible.

Diego Forlan has confirmed he will be joining Italian giants Inter as his time with Atletico Madrid comes to an end.
The 32-year-old Uruguay striker held a press conference in Madrid to state he would no longer be playing at the Vincente Calderon, as a switch to San Siro awaits him.

Forlan will now travel to Milan where he will undergo a medical before signing a contract with the Serie A outfit.

"I am going to a great club and there is a big challenge ahead of me. I want to thank Massimo Moratti for this chance," he told the press as he announced his departure from Spain.

"I have already spoken with Esteban Cambiasso and Diego Milito, they are my friends. I know Serie A having watched many games on television and I am very happy to be playing in Italy after my time in the Premier League, and Liga.

"I am going to play for a great team. I liked the project as well as their will to have me. I have a great will to start and changing [teams] will give me new motivation. It's not always that you get the chance to play for a great club at 32, and so for this reason I want to thank Inter and president Moratti."

Forlan played for Atletico since 2007 when he joined them from Villarreal and he will always carry the Spanish side in his heart following their separation.

"I will always support Atletico Madrid and it was an honour to play here," he added.

"I enjoyed four great years, fantastic years and I want to wish the team all the best."

Neither club have confirmed the details of the transfer, but an official announcement is expected to follow later once Forlan arrives in Italy to finalise his move.


Diego Forlan On Twitter
Diego Forlan On Facebook


Diego Forlan In Inter Milan Official Player List .

Forlan set for Inter move

Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano expects striker Diego Forlan to complete his move to Inter Milan in the "next few hours".

Forlan, who joined Atletico from Villarreal in 2007 following a mixed spell at Manchester United, has been earmarked by Inter as the replacement for Samuel Eto'o, who this week joined Russian Premier Liga side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Manzano said: "He did not travel to Portugal in midweek [for the Europa League tie against Vitoria] and we know why. He is in negotiations with Inter - that is public news and everyone knows how it is going.

"It is expected that it will be resolved in the next few hours and he will stop being an Atletico player and one owned by Inter."

Atletico also lost striker Sergio Aguero this summer, the Argentina international joining Manchester City, but have snapped up Radamel Falcao from Porto to bolster their attacking ranks.