Jose Mourinho ‘asked Inter Milan stars to train at NIGHT to deal with Maicon’s drinking problems’
Ex-Inter player claims: 'Maicon was so strong, but used to turn up drunk to training. The club has to take action'
JOSE MOURINHO introduced night-time training sessions in a bid to deal with Maicon's drinking habit.
Brazilian right-back Maicon was one of the most important players for Inter in 2010 when the Nerazzurri became the first Italian team to win the treble.
Ianis Zicu, a Romanian forward who spent six years at the club but never made a first-team appearance, has claimed one of Mourinho’s biggest battles was with Maicon.
At the time the defender was one of the world’s premier right-backs.
But according to Zicu, Mourinho and the Inter squad had to completely change their training regime to keep him on board in their quest to become European kings.
And he has revealed what did go on behind the scenes almost every Monday morning when Mourinho was in charge.
Zicu told DigiSport: “Maicon was so strong, but used to turn up drunk to training.
“On Mondays he was always drunk and once Mourinho had to have a squad meeting to decide what to do.
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“He asked everybody: ‘How can we train with Maicon fit?’
"The players decided to postpone each Monday morning training session so Maicon could be fit to train alongside the rest of team.
"He decided to spend the training for the night. 'The club has to take action,' he said.
“You know, these things happen. It is up to the team to decide how to deal with a certain situation.”
Manchester United manager Mourinho spent two years in charge of Inter between 2008 and 2010.
He famously landed the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League trophies in his second campaign with Inter.
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