Esteban Cambiasso

Esteban Cambiasso (Inter): Silent partner
Esteban Cambiasso may not be the biggest name at Inter, but he remains vital to the complex Nerazzurri jigsaw. Dominique Antognoni talks up the irreplaceable Argentine man in the middle

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In a side which includes Adriano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Obafemi Martins and numerous other star names, the man boss Roberto Mancini just canÂ’t do without is Esteban Cambiasso - a midfielder thrown away by Real Madrid, picked up by Inter for nothing and who will undoubtedly be a fundamental player for club and country in 2006.

When he first arrived in Italy, many thought Cambiasso was a less impetuous Gennaro Gattuso. That may be in part true, seeing that he played in front of the defence at Real, protecting the Spanish outfit’s seven attacking players. But today we have discovered a total footballer, one who can simply do it all. This man can start attacks, tackle and even offer assists because his feet are hardly those of someone who works the land. He’s also a player who likes technical football, exactly the kind that Mancini’s sides express – ball possession, high tempo, one with ideas and space for fantasy.

There have been occasions when Inter have tried to play without him. Mancini has fielded a Veron-David Pizarro partnership, or last season even included Belozoglu Emre and Cristiano Zanetti before realising that the midfield just canÂ’t cope or express itself. The solution? Bring on Cambiasso and the sideÂ’s balance returns almost by magic.

Those at Inter simply don’t realise, or at least find it hard to believe, that they have been so fortunate with the Argentine. The necessity to replace Matias Almeyda – who wanted over £2m to renew his expiring contract – forced club officials to look elsewhere and nobody at the time thought that Esteban’s signature would turn out to be such a good piece of business.

In the interest of accuracy, it must be noted that the South American was hardly used in ManciniÂ’s opening months at the San Siro. Mancio went with a midfield four of Dejan Stankovic, Veron, Emre and Edgar Davids. But after the first few games, which consisted of real entertainment and a host of goals conceded, the tactician played the Cambiasso card and things changed. He started his first game during the 3-3 draw at Roma, where he scored, and that proved to be a new beginning. It is now impossible to think of the side without him.

Always precise, decisive, determined during every minute of a match, present in key moments and calm, Esteban is a winning player without any doubt. Nobody remembers a below par performance from the 25-year-old. Added to that, he often manages to break the deadlock or finish off a game with spectacular goals. He shoots from distance, attacks from deep, protects the defence and always offers help to his midfield colleagues – he’s just perfect. It is no coincidence that Veron manages to best express himself with him by his side.

CambiassoÂ’s non-superstar deportment, on and off the pitch, is also a redeeming feature of the South American. HeÂ’s useful and silent, strong and humble, even if it is obvious that things in Milan have been made simple by the fact that the squad speaks more Argentine than Italian.

He settled easily and made numerous friends, so many that it is impossible to think that ‘Cuchu’, as he was called as a child after an Argentine television presenter, has any enemies. You just can’t help but love and appreciate him. He’s one of those people who smiles always, a man who is more than willing to help and, more important, an individual who really knows how to play football.

Real were a little bit too late in recognising his talents, as were the Argentine side. The Madrid outfit today play with Pablo Garcia, who was a laughing stock in Alberto ZaccheroniÂ’s Milan side, and the square-footed Thomas Gravesen. Just imagine what their midfield could be like now with Cambiasso and Claude Makelele in the middle, with David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane out wide. Their decision to release Cambiasso, without a fight, was pure madness. Their loss is InterÂ’s gain.

Cambiasso is arguably a silent Diego Simeone, a player who has remained in the hearts of the Nerazzurri faithful. The only difference is that ‘Il Cholo’ arrived at the club after he had already matured, while the Buenos Aires native is only just reaching that stage, even if we are talking about a boy who basically signed for Real Madrid at the age of just 16.

Cambiasso also had spells with Argentinos Juniors, Independiente and River Plate. Playing for such grand clubs is no coincidence and, because he is so experienced despite his age, it means that Inter can build their future around this talent. The fact that he is already a pillar of the side means that he has all the elements necessary to become a symbol of the club and even a future captain.


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Date: January 2006

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/ccu/cambiassoccu.html