Coppa Italia - Match Preview: Inter Milan vs CFC Genoa
The Nerazzurri gather steam
With their 2 – 1 away victory over Catania on the weekend, Leonardo’s Inter Milan have managed to put their season back on track. Two victories from two points for Leonardo and Interista have already forgotten Rafa Benitez – on a second thought, the scars
will last for some time.
Leonardo has weaved his Brazilian magic at Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti, and the hunger to win has visibly returned. With a host of key players yet to return from injuries, things will only get better for the former Rossoneri tactician.
Inter Milan have a formidable record against the Rossoblu and have so far lost only once against them at home in Serie A. Three points will be the priority but even a draw would be deemed a respectable result as Nerazzurri go hunting for a Champions League
berth.
Struggling Rossoblu
Genoa were one of the most active teams during last year’s transfer market, but the results have been contrary to what was expected. Many had predicted Enrico Preziosi’s team to challenge for European football. Needless to say, most have been made to eat
their words as Genoa languish 13th in the league. Coppa Italia would thus be a welcome distraction.
Rossoblu have gone on a month without tasting victory. However, the trip to San Siro will present them with an ideal opportunity to restore some of last season’s confidence. Genoa have offloaded http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Ranocchia-c5708 – the offer was too good to be turned down
– and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luca-Toni-c22526 and just how they manage to cope up without two of their proven players remains to be seen.
Coach David Ballardini will be content with a draw while a victory would be a late New Year’s gift for them.
Team News
Inter Milan
Things have improved for Nerazzurri on injury front, but Inter are still far from being at their full strength. The reigning Italian and European champions will be without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Motta-c34897 for this match.
Leonardo is expected to deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation that will see Samuel Eto’o and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166 lead the lines.
CFC Genoa
Ballardini will have to do without the services of Chico, Luca Antonelli and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alberto-Paloschi-c4338. The rest of the squad will be available for selection.
Rossoblu tactician will use a 4-4-2 formation. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gergely-Rudolf-c14699 and Giuseppe Sculli will spearhead the attack.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
The mercurial forward has been a one man army at times this season. However, he is yet to open his scoring account under Leonardo. With Diego Milito still left finding his lost shooting boots, Eto’o will be the primary goal getter for Nerazzurri. The Cameroonian
forward is a safe bet to find the back of the net.
Giuseppe Sculli
The 29-year-old is not having the best of seasons, but he must score tonight. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 are a force to reckon with when playing at home, and will score in all probability. Thus, Sculli must shoulder the goal scoring burden while looking to set up his strike
partner, Rodrigo Palacio.
Prediction
The game promises to be an enthralling affair. Even though Ballardini will be happy with a draw, his troops play attacking football. Better still, Leonardo has made the Nerazzurri change their style of play – samba style is now. Inter’s home advantage will
come into play and Nerazzurri will eke out a 2 – 1 victory.
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