Joel Obi Back Again

Joel Obi

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Nigeria international midfielder, Joel Obi, began his 2014/15 pre-season exertions in the best possible way as he started for Italian giants, Internazionale against European champions, Real Madrid.
It was Inter’s first game at the 2014 Guinness International Champions Cup and a sellout 62,583 spectators crammed into the California Memorial Stadium to watch two grand establishments of European football strut their stuff .
Obi spent the 2013/14 season on loan at AC Parma but has since been recalled by the Inter trainer, Walter Mazzarri who threw him straight into the deep end against the reigning Copa del Rey kings.
The 23-year-old Nigerian was part of a new look Inter midfield that included Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Dodo and D’Ambrosio that overcame early jitters to eventually cope with the Spanish giants.
Inter manager, Mazzarri was impressed with Obi and his other midfielders offering words of praise when quizzed by reporters after the game which Inter won on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
"We struggled to get into gear in the first quarter of an hour and we were playing with a totally new-look midfield. After the goal we started to play better and we finished the game on a high,” Mazzarri said.
Next up for Inter is a date with three-time European champions, Manchester United at FedEx Field Landover, Maryland on Tuesday.
Obi is looking forward to the game against the Red Devils as Inter look to win their second game on the bounce.
He is also pleased to be competing in the tournament and took the time to explain what it meant to him, rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in world football at the tournament.
“Yes, at this stage of the season, friendlies such as these are really helpful for us.
“It’s important to see how we match up to these big teams because they are among the best in Europe.
“This is an important test for us. We are here with no worries and we will give it our best shot.
“We will try to play our best game and give it our best shot,” Obi told the club’s official TV station, Inter Channel.
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma and Olympiacos are the eight teams taking part in the tournament.