VIERI: MORATTI CALL CONVINCED ME TO STAY

Vieri looked all set to leave the club that had stood by him through an injury hit season - but the turnaround at the Giuseppe Meazza is testament to the president's desire to keep hold of the Italian international.

"On the 12th July - the date of my birthday - I received one of the most pleasant phone calls of my life from Massimo Moratti," said Vieri.

"This was the time in which Juventus were trying to prise me away from Inter, and various other top sides from the last season.

"Moratti convinced me that I should stay and from that day we have found ourselves as a side.

"This is the Inter of my dreams," added the prolific forward, who is back to his best at the spearhead of the Nerazzurri and the national side.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is back training after his latest niggling injury, and could be in the playing squad very soon.