Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Internazionale may have acquired the world's second most expensive player in Ronaldo, but their new coach, Gigi Simoni, warns that instant success is not guaranteed.
"It has been said that they've put me behind the wheel of a Ferrari but even Michael Schumacher [Ferrari's German driver] didn't win the world title in his first season," Simoni said ahead of the today's kick-off to the season. "It only takes you 20 days to put together a team, buying on the market place, but to then get that team to play well can take months, even years."
Indifferent performances in pre-season friendlies have already prompted media speculation that Simoni risks dismissal if Inter make a bad start against the newly promoted Brescia in Milan.
Ronaldo's move from Barcelona, for a $29m (pounds 18m) buy-out fee plus a transfer sum still being negotiated, has created huge expectations among Inter supporters.
The club's owner, Massimo Moratti, added to the pressure on his new coach when he said last week: "We've got 25 players in the squad and by Sunday Simoni had better have found a way of getting them to play."
Like Simoni, the 20-year-old Ronaldo will be under pressure to make a successful start to his Italian career. Inter's experienced striker, Maurizio Ganz, will partner him in attack.
France's Youri Djorkaeff leads the midfield, supported by the Dutchman Aron Winter and the new signing Diego Simeone.
In defence, the1982 World Cup winner Giuseppe Bergomi, now 34, commands a rearguard that has looked vulnerable in pre-season friendlies.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments