Carvalho warns of TP Mazembe threat

Inter in action in the 2010 Gaúcho against Ypiranga

Internacional director and former president Fernando Carvalho has warned Internacional not to underestimate the threat of TP Mazembe in Tuesday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

The Congolese club stunned Mexican’s Pachuca with a shock 1-0 victory yesterday. Carvalho spoke to Radio Gaúcha where he affirmed the threat that awaited Inter.

“Mazembe are [physically] very similar and their fast counterattacking team. They have a defensive naivety, but compensate for that with alot of guts,” Carvalho explained.

“Let’s hope that Celso [Roth] will work the team hard to face TP Mazembe. They will be a tough opponent. I think Pachuca underestimated them.”

Gauchão experience vital
Facing opponents under considerable pressure to deliver a result is not an unfamiliar position to Inter. The Colorado are a consistently a dominant force in the state championship – the Campeonato Gaúcho.

TP Mazembe share a familiarity with the smaller regional clubs in Rio Grande do Sul who approach fixtures against Inter, knowing it’s often the biggest game of their player’s careers and victory will attract the club widespread media attention throughout the state.

In the 2010 Gauchão, Inter suffered defeats to unfancied opponents Novo Hamburgo, São José and Caxias. Although often fielding weakened sides in these fixtures, Inter will need to count upon their past experiences of competing in the Campeonato Gaúcho to prevent TP Mazembe from recording another shock victory.

Category: Internacional Club News