[xIbrahimovicx]

Internazionale - The Squad - Defenders


Name: Javier Zanetti
Position: Right-Back
Date Of Birth: August 10, 1973
Place Of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Age: 35
Squad Number: 4
Previous Clubs: Talleres RE, Banfield

Zanetti is the captain of Inter, and has made over 460 appearances for the Nerazzurri, scoring 5 goals along the way. The Argentinean now plays in midfield and has won an amazing total of 9 major honours with the Serie A club. At 35, Zanetti is still playing for the Argentina national team, however he is no longer captain of his country. Inter’s captain is highly regarded for his good discipline on and off the pitch, a quality that makes Zanetti a role model for younger players at the club. Internazionale supporters see the 35 year old as a legend of the club, something that Zanetti is very proud of. Javier Zanetti is expected to spend most of the coming season in midfield, as Maicon is now the first choice right back at the club.

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Name: Maicon Douglas Sisenando
Position: Right-Back
Date Of Birth: June 26, 1981
Place Of Birth: Criciuma, Brazil
Age: 26
Squad Number: 13
Previous Clubs: Cruzeiro, Monaco

Maicon is known for his pace, excellent free kicks and attacking qualities. Although he is a right wing back, the Brazilian loves to adventure forward and has scored 7 goals for Inter since joining from Monaco in 2006. Maicon has also been capped 48 times for the Brazil national team. The defender is almost certainly going to be Internazionale’s first choice right back this season, which will allow Javier Zanetti to play in the midfield. The 26 year old has won 5 trophies with Inter and will be looking to add to that number this season. Maicon has been linked with a host of other top European clubs after putting in some excellent performances last season, however Inter will do all they can to ensure the Brazilian remains at the club.

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Name: Iván Córdoba
Position: Centre-Back
Date Of Birth: August 11, 1976
Place Of Birth: Medelín, Colombia
Age: 32
Squad Number: 2
Previous Clubs: Deportivo Rionegro, Atlético Nacional, San Lorenzo

Having arrived at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for 16 million Euro in 2000, Iván Córdoba is now the vice-captain of Internazionale. Córdoba is naturally a central defender, however he can also play at rightback and also at left back. The 32 year old is entering the latter stages of his career and has made a staggering 276 appearances for Inter to date. During his time at the club, he has netted 15 goals in the Inter shirt, and his best attributes lie in his outstanding marking, heading and jumping. Córdoba stands at 5 ft 8 inch, which is small for a centre-back, however he is still one of the best defenders in the Serie A. Iván Córdoba will face strong competition for a regular place in the Inter line-up, but on his day, there are few defenders better than the Colombia international.

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Name: Maxwell Cabelino Andrade
Position: Left-Back
Date Of Birth: August 27, 1981
Place Of Birth: Vila Velha, Brazil
Age: 27
Squad Number: 6
Previous Clubs: Ajax

Maxwell has won 3 consecutive Serie A titles since his move from Ajax in 2006. Like Maicon, Maxwell is an attacking full back who can also play as a left midfielder. His ball control and attacking threat make him lethal on the counter attack. Maxwell was called up to the Brazil national team in 2008, however he was not selected and has yet to make his debut for Brazil. Maxwell may be Inter’s second choice left back this season, as Cristian Chivu is currently the number 1 choice at the club. The Brazilian is sure to get his chance though, and could play as a left midfielder for the majority of the season.

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Name: Nicolás Burdisso
Position: Centre-Back
Date Of Birth: April 12, 1981
Place Of Birth: Altos de Chipión, Córdoba, Argentina
Age: 28
Squad Number: 16
Previous Clubs: Boca Juniors

Burdisso made his name in the Argentinian League with Boca Juniors, making over 100 apperances for them before signing for Inter in 2004. Burdisso stands at exactly 6 ft and has won a total of 19 titles over the course of his career. The Argentina international could sit on the bench a lot this season, unless he manages to impress José Mourinho enough to force his way into the starting lineup. In 2007, Burdisso was handed a 7 month ban from European competitions. He made his comeback against Liverpool in 2008 only to be sent off in the 60th minute. Burdisso has made 25 apperances for his country, scoring 2 goals in the process.

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Name: Walter Adrián Samuel
Position: Centre-Back
Date Of Birth: March 23, 1978
Place Of Birth: Firmat, Argentina
Age: 31
Squad Number: 25
Previous Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys, Boca Juniors, Roma, Real Madrid

Walter Samuel is highly regarded for his excellent defensive skills. The 31 year old will be a regular on the Internazionale team sheet this season. Samuel has previously played with rivals Roma, before joining Real Madrid in 2004. Samuel was disappointing in La Liga and returned to the Serie A with Inter, where he has since made 74 appearances. Although Walter Samuel is Argentinean, he also holds Italian nationality, but does not play for the Italy national team. The defender will battle it out with Nelson Rivas, Nicolás Burdisso, Iván Córdoba and Marco Materazzi for a place in the starting team.

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Name: Nelson Rivas
Position: Centre-Back
Date Of Birth: March 25, 1983
Place Of Birth: Pradera, Colombia
Age: 26
Squad Number: 24
Previous Clubs: Deportivo Pasto, Deportivo Cali, Deportivo Tolima, River Plate

Rivas was signed by Inter in 2007 from River Plate and has now made 29 appearances for the club. Nelson Rivas has been a fringe player since his arrival at San Siro, leading to speculation regarding his future at the club. It seems likely that the player could be sold in order to free up extra transfer funds, but he could be kept as a squad player. Rivas has made 1 appearance for Colombia, and is only capable of playing as a centre back.

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Name: Marco Materazzi
Position: Centre-Back
Date Of Birth: August 19, 1973
Place Of Birth: Leece, Italy
Age: 35
Squad Number: 23
Previous Clubs: Marsala, Trapani, Perugia, Everton

Materazzi is an exceptional defender who also has an eye for goal; the 35 year old has scored 18 goals for Internazionale since joining the Nerazzuri in 2001. Marco Materazzi has won 19 titles, aswell as Serie A defender of the year 2007. The Italian is a controversial figure, however, as he provoked France’s Zinédine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final, causing Zidane to headbutt him and the Frenchman was sent off. Materazzi is also a penalty taking specialist, having netted the majority of his goals from the spot. It’s likely that the Italian defender will be a key figure in Inter’s season.

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Name: Cristian Chivu
Position: Left-Back
Date Of Birth: October 26, 1980
Place Of Birth: Resita, Romania
Age: 28
Squad Number: 26
Previous Clubs: Resita, Universitatea Craiova, Ajax, Roma

Cristian Chivu played alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Ajax, where the Romanian full back made his name as one of the most reliable around. In 2003, he was signed by Serie A outfit AS Roma. Chivu scored 6 goals for them before moving to Internazionale where he has played his football since 2007. Cristian Chivu is also the captain of the Romania national team, and has made 64 appearances for his country. The 28 year old is a free kick expert, and will be looking to open his Inter account this season. Chivu is widely regarded as one of the finest left backs in World football, and will no doubt be a regular in José Mourinho’s team.

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Name: Davide Santon
Position: Left-Back
Date Of Birth: 2 January, 1991
Place Of Birth: Portomaggiore, Italy
Age: 18
Squad Number: 39
Previous Clubs: N/A

At just 18 years of age, Davide Santon is already one of the finest young defenders in football. Naturally a left back, the young Italian can also play on the right hand side of the defence, however it is not a position he prefers. Santon made his breakthrough into the Internazionale first team last season, making 16 appearances, including his Champions League debut. Born in Portomaggiore, Italy, the young full back has already featured for the Italy national team. Santon is hotly tipped to become one of the best defenders in the World, and he will be eager to learn from the experienced players in the Internazionale squad.