v
ROMA
San Siro, Milan, Italy
February 07, 2011, 00:15 IST
***
Back into the race
Internazionale have been doing very well under Leonardo from the start of the year. The Nerazzurri have just lost a single game and won the rest of the matches in the league. However, things haven’t been too sweet for La Beneamata as they had lost momentum when they lost to Udinese a fortnight ago.
Inter are sitting in 4th position, 7 points behind leaders Milan with a game in hand. A win against Roma would certainly help Inter’s cause, to claim that they are still in the race. Meanwhile, Leonardo has called for the Nerazzurri to take advantage of talisman Totti’s absence.
Flying high
Roma have been the team to watch out for, along with Inter, off late, as they have crawled back into the title race, taking advantage of their rivals’ slip. Unfortunately, they will be without their talisman and legend Totti, who has pulled out of the game with an injury.
The Giallorossi have 39 points in 22 games and are in 5th position behind their Sunday’s opponents with a game in hand. However, Roma haven’t been too good in their travels and could find themselves out of the Scudetto race if they lose the match. Meanwhile, Totti has rallied his team and indicated the significance of this match along with his coach, who has called this match a show stopper for the Scudetto.
Team News and Tactical Brief
Inter Milan
Stankovic, Cordoba, Mariga, Lucio, Castellazzi and Samuel are injured and unavailable. Christian Chivu is unavailable due to suspension(a 4 match ban).
With Julio Cesar back in the starting lineup, Inter’s defenders would be relieved and their confidence would be restored. However, Samuel and Cordoba are still out, which should leave a chance to the new signing Ranocchia to partner with Lucio. Maicon should resume his right back role after recovering his form under Leonardo. The tricky part for Inter is to fill up the vacant left back slot in the absence of Chivu. However, this should not be too much of a problem as Yagatomo will probably be taking that position.
With Sneijder returning, Inter should continue with their 4-3-1-2 formation and the Dutchman in the hole behind the strikers Eto’o and Pazzini, who has been very impressive after his move to Inter. Cambiasso should guard his back four while Motta and Zanetti should be in a lesser wide midfield role.
The Nerazzurri have been very strong at home, where they have lost just a single game. With that in mind, one should expect them to dictate the game and attack from the start.
Possible Line-up: Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Nagatomo, Motta, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Sneijder, Pazzini, Eto’o
Roma
Pizarro, Brighi and Adriano are sidelined with injuries and will miss the trip to Milan. Mexes is suspended.
The men from the capital will be lining up their usual 4-3-1-2 formation with Sergio in the goal and in the absence of Mexes, Juan and Burdisso will be expected to play as the centre backs. Riise and Cassetti will provide the width from the back. De Rossi will sit deep and try to dictate the game whilst Perotta and Simplicio will be expected to provide the width from the middle. Boriello and Vucinic will lead the line through a dangerous partnership and Menez will sit in the hole and make runs across the defenders.
Roma will know that Inter will be looking to attack and take an early goal. So, they have to defend deep in the first quarter of the game and try to hit the champions on the counter.
Possible Lineup: Sergio, Cassetti, Juan, Burdisso, Riise, Perrotta, De Rossi, Simplicio, Menez, Boriello, Vucinic.
Form Guide
Inter Milan: W-W–W-L-W
Roma: D-W-W-W-W
Match Facts
1) This fixture has never been goalless for the last 15 occasions.
2) Inter have won 7 and Roma have won 4 with the other 4 being draws in the last 15 times.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR
Giampolo Pazzini (Internazionale)
It is too soon to frame Pazzini as a fan favorite but he isn’t hurting his chances either. Goals against Palermo and Bari have got his career with the Champions to a brilliant start.
Another such performance against one of Inter’s fiercest rivals can really help his cause to cement a place in the starting lineup and win fans’ hearts permanently.
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
Inter Milan 2-1 Roma
This fixture has always produced goals and we can expect nothing less on Sunday evening, when these two meet again in what turns out to be a cracking fixture. Inter will be favorites, but by a very small margin, and will be expected to go on and grind out a hard fought victory.
TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST
