Who’s who at Internazionale

Hernan Crespo

Francesco Toldo

Italy’s second choice keeper but still one of the best in the world. The former Ravenna and Fiorentina star is best remembered for his performance in the semi-final of Euro 2000. With Italy reduced to ten-men against Holland, Toldo saved two penalties in normal time and three in the shoot-out as the Azzurri reached the final.

The Colombian defender started his career at Athletico Nacional de Medellin before moving to San Lorenzo in Argentina and then Inter for £10million in 2000. He has been described as the fastest defender in the world, but is also a stereotypical South American hardman.

The Argentinian has been at Inter for seven years and is nicknamed ‘The Tractor’. Renowned as one of the best defender’s in the world, he is best known in this country for his goal against England in France ’98.

Described by many as the best centre back in the world, Cannavaro joined Inter from Parma after the World Cup. Anyone who saw his efforts at marking Emile Heskey in an international friendly two years ago will know that Alan Shearer will be able to exploit his physical weakness.

Barely recognisable from the laughing stock of a player who joined Everton a few years back. He is now an established regular with the Italian national team.

Another member of Italy’s World Cup squad, Coco spent last season on-loan at Barcelona and was a regular as they reached the semi-final of the Champions League. Now established as the first choice left back at the San Siro.

One of the less well known members of the squad, the 26-year-old Italian is a reputedly one of the most gifted midfielders in Serie A. The inconsistent performer has already been transferred nine times during his career.

A defensive midfield colossus who counts Lazio and Roma amongst his former clubs, his ability has been overshadowed by two penalty shoot outs. In France ’98 he missed the decisive spot kick against France in the quarter-finals, but returned Stuart Pearce like to score in the Euro 2000 semi-final shoot out.

The well travelled Argentinian international midfielder was a key player in Lazio’s Serie A triumph under Sven Goran Eriksson. He counts River Plate, Sevilla and Parma amongst his former clubs and was part of the Argentina team that made an early exit from this year’s World Cup.

Emre was one of the stars of the World Cup as part of the Turkish team that shocked everyone by finishing third. A tricky left-footed midfielder he has yet to establish himself as a regular for Inter since arriving from Galatasaray two years ago.

Arrived in Milan from Galatasaray with Emre and has also found his first team opportunities limited. The creative midfielder wears the number 77 shirt and was a bit part player in Turkey’s World Cup campaign.

One of the success stories of Italy’s 2002 World Cup Zanetti is a combative defensive midfielder with a fantastic range of passing. He returned to Inter after two years at Roma, during which time he was part of the team that won the Scudetto. The 25-year-old has already been transferred six times.

The Argentinian striker is one of the best in the world and has already formed a great partnership with Vieri since arriving in Milan in the summer. Previously the World’s most expensive player Crespo has proved to be a more than adequate replacement for Ronaldo at club level and for Gabriel Batistuta at international level.

The star of the Uruguay World Cup team the enigmatic 26-year-old striker has been identified by Sir Bobby as Inter’s dangerman. Recoba is still trying to rebuild his reputation after being implicated in the Serie A false passport scandal.

The free scoring Australian-Italian is renowned as one of the greatest strikers of the modern era, but recent seasons have seen him produce a series of high profile misses that prove he’s human after all. The villain of Italy’s World Cup exit against South Korea joined Inter from Lazio for £30million in 1999 and has scored 53 goals in three injury-ravaged seasons.