Player Profile: Dejan

Right now, Dejan Stankovic is a key cog in the Inter Milan midfield, and for good reason. Three goals in the league so far this season, all absolute gems, is one of the reasons why Inter sit top of the Serie A table yet again. Funny, then, that just over a year ago he was on the verge of a huge move to Juventus as they began to re-establish themselves in this division. It didn't happen, and Inter fans will be thankful of that. Why, well because he is the type of player that offers so much to a coach. Able to play central mid, trequartista, and even adopt a hard tackling role in the defensive midfield if need be. Crisp passing, long range efforts, headers are all in the package that Stankovic offers.

The Lazio years
His arrival at Lazio was relatively low key, but on he debut he addressed that fact with interest. An absolute missile, now a trademark, found the back of the net against Piacenza and he found his way into a team that was not exactly short on talent at that time. Great success followed, with a Scudetto, Coppa Italia, Cup Winners cup and European Super Cup in a Lazio shirt. Still, needs must. And when Lazio were fighting financial meltdown he was sold to Inter, a club now that he has become a central part of.

Inter-Milan
Indeed, it has become something of a speciality for Stankovic, scoring cracking goals that is, and on numerous occasions of city rivals Milan. This years cracker in the derby is evidence of that, and also the one a few years back when a corner kick somehow found its way into the back of the net, and of course last seasons winner against Milan by 2-1 after a Zlatan Ibrahimovic knock down. However, he is more than simply a 'show pony' in that regard. He has stepped up to new levels this season, scoring vital goals for Inter in the Champions League, keeping them afloat in the competition. Maybe this is not a surprise, as his leadership qualities attained at International level, as Serbia's captain, flood through to the Inter team.

Image: Steindy