CAGLIARI
v
INTER MILAN
Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari, Italy
17 October 2010, 4:00 PM IST
Club football returns after the Euro qualifiers that took place in the last week and a half, producing mixed set of results for the big guns. Serie A this year couldn’t be any more closer as the top 5 teams are separated by just 3 points. Champions Inter sit in the second place after a disappointing draw against their arch-rivals Juventus in their previous encounter. Lazio, who had apparently helped Inter last season, are in pole position. If Inter manages to get all three points against Cagliari, the club can go to the top of table temporarily.
Hoping to Stay Up
Although it is too early to discuss about the drop zone, Cagliari are certainly one of the candidates that could end up in the second division. The Isolani have had an interesting and a rather weird start to the season. They lie in mid-table, in 13th place, thanks to their solo win, a solo loss and four draws.
Current coach Bisoli is under the radar of his president and could be fired if things don’t pick up from now. The media houses are already speculating about the possible replacements for Bisoli, and former National team manager Donadani is being considered as the favourite.
On the positive note, the men from Sardinia are yet to lose at home, having had a win and a couple of draws. They have managed to score 5 goals in the last couple of games at home; in addition to that, they have kept two clean sheets and only conceded a solitary goal, creating hope for their match against Inter.
Big Game Blues
Having made a mixed start to their season, the European champions are finding it difficult to find any sort of consistency – they have experienced all kinds of results including a win against Werder Bremen, a draw against Juventus and a loss against Roma in their last three encounters. While they were impressive against Werder, they were lackluster against Juventus. So, it is high time they stepped up and produced a winning run.
La Pulga heading to Italy?
Off the pitch distractions were present as usual with the stories of Kaka’s and Messi’s possible transfer to the Nerrazzuri doing the rounds in all the Italian papers. Current Ballon D’Or winner, Messi has been in the transfer columns during the International break with both the Milan clubs interested in signing La Pulga. Inter have also had to deal with their own players’ transfer speculations including Maicon, Milito and Sneijder who all are unsettled at the moment.
Irrespective of what’s doing the rounds in various journalists’ columns, Nerazzurri should start firing on all cylinders and regain their supremacy in Italy. How the man in charge Rafa Benitez manages to pull the rabbits out of the hat is left to him.
TEAM NEWS
Cagliari: The Sardinians are lucky enough not to have any injuries or suspensions for their big game against Inter. Cossu is the creative spark of his side and will be hoping to have enough possession to supply his strikers Aquafresca and Matri.
Possible Lineup: Agazzi: Pisano,Canini,Astari,Ariaudo: Biondini,Naingoallan,Lazzari,Cossu: Matri, Aquafresca.
Inter: Needless to say, Inter are having a torrid time dealing with the injuries. Motta, Milito, Cordobo, Cambiasso, Mariga, Suazo and Pandev are all on the treatment table with their respective injuries. Sneijder, who was also a doubt has recovered in time and will be starting on Sunday.
Possible Lineup: Cesar: Maicon,Lucio,Samuel,Chivu: Zannetti,Sneijder,Stankovic: Biabiany,Eto’o,Coutinho.
FORM GUIDE
Cagliari: D-L-D-D-W
Inter: D-W-L-W-W
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Wesley Sneijder: A man of Sneijder’s quality has had a mediocre start to the season. He had a stupendous season last time out, helping Inter to win the Treble and scoring some crucial goals in the process. Whilst he has been scoring goals this season, he has faded away from action in key encounters when his team needed him the most.
Sneijder will be looking to provide the spark!!!
Having scored 3 goals, he would be hoping to put the contract problems aside and impress the supporters. Sneijder couldn’t have asked for a better chance to pick up his form than against a struggling Cagliari side.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Cagliari has been struggling with draws and have managed to collect 3 points only on a single occasion. Home support should see them create some chances and trouble Inter at the back. A thing that is certain is that Cagliari will be charged up to get all three points and help their manager keep his job.
Inter, meanwhile, will be looking to get back to winning ways and find consistency. Whilst their only loss has been in Rome, Cagliari are no Roma and Inter should be able to win the tie with a couple of goals.
Cagliari 1-3 Inter.
TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST