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Adriano welcome at Inter

Brazilian forward Adriano has hit a rich vein of form since returning to Internazionale FC.

By Paolo Menicucci

It was love at first sight between Adriano and the FC Internazionale fans when the Brazilian striker joined the Nerazzurri from CR Flamengo for €5m in 2001.

Stunning free-kick
Then a teenager, he capped his Inter debut with a stunning free-kick to secure a 2-1 pre-season friendly victory at Real Madrid CF. It was Inter's first win at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for 34 years. "I've never seen such a powerful shot," said strike partner Christian Vieri of that free-kick.

Bought outright
After spells with AC Fiorentina and Parma AC - and 28 goals in 51 Serie A games - Adriano is finally back at Inter. Now aged 21, the forward had been jointly owned by Inter and Parma from 2002, and was expected to remain at the Ennio Tardini stadium until the end of the season. But Inter paid €20m to buy him outright during the transfer window.

Flying start
His return to Inter could not have gone better. Adriano scored two goals in Inter's 4-0 win against AC Siena on 1 February, and added two more in the 2-2 away draw against Juventus FC in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final three days later.

Gifted player
Tall and powerfully built, but with typically Brazilian agility and technique, Adriano is already considered one of the most lethal attackers in Serie A. One of his free-kicks against Juventus reached a speed of 129.7km per hour, and, like a basketball or volleyball player, he can jump 45cm from a standing position.

Superb partnership
The only worry was whether he could play alongside Vieri, another powerful left-footer. It took half an hour to clear this doubt. When Alberto Zaccheroni fielded the pair together from the 59th minute of Sunday's draw at UC Sampdoria, the two complemented each other perfectly.

Zaccheroni's logic
"I felt it was right to give him a rest and bring him on only in the second half," explained Zaccheroni. "However, I think that when two strikers are that good they can definitely play together even if they have similar characteristics."

Positive outlook
Adriano agreed with his coach. "Only by working hard and following the coach's advice can we find a way to play together," he said. "However, we already proved we understand each other on the pitch. The coach decides the lineup, but I can see him doing well with myself and Vieri in attack."

Winning aim
Adriano also revealed he had no doubts in accepting Inter's offer in January. "I had offers from another club but I really wanted to play for Inter - the club that believed in me and signed me from Flamengo," he said. "I want to help Inter win things. If we don't achieve that this year, we will certainly have other chances." The Nerazzurri are 15 points behind Serie A leaders Milan and will face FC Sochaux Montbéliard in the UEFA Cup third round.

Ronaldo comparisons
The Inter fans may finally have found a player to help them forget Ronaldo, their former idol who signed for Madrid in 2002. "Ronie is a phenomenon, one of the best footballers in the world," said Adriano. "I'm starting now. I still have many things to learn to get where he is today. If I work well on and off the pitch, I think I can reach that level."

Confident approach
He is a confident young man, for sure, but judging by his first displays for Inter, he has good reason to be.

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