The season starts here.

So after a few weeks of faffing around with pre season friendlies the 2012/13 season started for real last night. In the form of Europa league third round qualifying action. Over the last decade Internazionale of Milan have been regulars in the Champions league famously claiming Europe's most prestigious club title in 2010 when they defeated Bayern Munich 2-0. The run to the final included a fantastic 3-2 aggregate win over everybody's second favourite team FC Barcelona. However after a poor season in Serie A last season, Inter find themselves in Europe's second competition; the Europa league. And due to them claiming the last place they start their campaign in the third qualifying round, three weeks before their League campaign begins.

 Alot of football fans tend to bash the Europa league and come out with same old "We aren't really bothered about it", "the thing gets in the way of the league" kind of comments. The 1990s were a barren spell for the club on the domestic scene but the club gained three victories in the UEFA Cup so i have always had fond memories of this competition.
First up for Inter is Croatian side Hajduk Split. When the draw was made Inter were drawn to play the first leg at home. Hajduk, fearful of a nearly empty stadium for the return leg should they get a good kicking in the San Siro, requested to reverse the draw and play at home first. However as the below highlights show, it didn't help them a huge amount.
 
So after that result it looks like Inter have one foot in the "play off round", should they win that then they will be in the group stages.
All in all its been a great week for the Nerazurra after the announcement of a 200 million Euro investment from a Chinese group of investors and plans for Inter to move into a new Stadium by the start of the 2017/18 season. As you will have seen in the video Inter have an all red away kit this season. Although its not a colour i like to see Inter in, red, in China, is a colour that symbolises good luck and prosperity. Lets hope that plenty of that comes Inter's way in the 2012/13 season.