Mourinho Names Inter Team To Play Samp

The Nerazzurri kick off the new Serie A season with a trip to the Stadio Ferraris tomorrow night to play Sampdoria.

However, they are in the midst of a defensive crisis, with Christian Chivu, Walter Samuel, Nicolas Burdisso, and Nelson Rivas all out injured.

“It's a question of mentality,” said Mourinho.

“Even Cristian Chivu has told me that he will be ready for next week, which is ahead of schedule.

“Nelson Rivas in injured as he was before the Roma game but there are no alternatives and that's why he told me he would play against the Giallorossi - he played and we won.”

Mourinho then went on to name nine of the players who will play in Genoa.

“It will be Julio Cesar, Douglas Maicon, Esteban Cambiasso, Marco Materazzi, Maxwell, Dejan Stankovic, Muntari, Javier Zanetti, Ibrahimovic and two others,” he revealed.

Earlier today it was reported in some sections of the Italian press that Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma would seal his move to Inter today, and Mourinho has hinted that a deal is imminent.

“I don't want to tell any lies,” he said. “At the moment Quaresma is a Porto player and Pelè is ours.

“But I won't be selecting Pelè against Sampdoria because it could be that he is transferred today or tomorrow. However, there is no agreement at the moment.”

Finally Mourinho admitted his concerns about Sampdoria danger man Antonio Cassano, and says he has been studying Talentino all week.

“He is a great player. I have studied him and have thought about him this week,” he revealed.

“Samp have done very well over the last year and have only lost twice at home but we still aim to win.”

When these two sides met at the Stadio Ferraris last season, the scores finished level at 1-1, with Cassano scoring for Samp, and Crespo replying for Inter.