Coppa Italia preview: Inter Milan Vs. AC Cesena
Nerazzurri look to continue revival
The reigning Italian and European champions, after a disastrous first half of the season, have returned to form in roaring style. Leonardo has done a tremendous job with the Nerazzurri, and the former AC Milan tactician has answered his critics in an ideal
fashion. Inter good run of results in the New Year has seen them being touted as realistic title contenders.
Inter Milan won everything on offer last season under Jose Mourinho, and Leonardo will look to follow in the footsteps of the legendary coach. Cesena are battling relegation upon their return season to the Serie A, and the Coppa Italia is probably not even
on their priority list. Leonardo’s men will be expecting a routine victory in this game, but the manager has warned his men against complacency.
Inter have recorded four consecutive victories under their new manager, and a fifth on the trot is more of a necessity to maintain the momentum.
Sea Horses with nothing to lose
Owing much to the competitive nature of the Serie A, Cesena were expected to struggle for survival in the top flight. In spite of Cesena registering some historic results – the victory against AC Milan in particular comes to mind – they are still the favourites
to be relegated from the league at the end of the season.
As things stand, Cesena are 17th in the league – just a single place above the dreaded relegation zone – and, Massimo Ficcadenti can’t afford to deploy his resources on multiple fronts. Cavallucci Marini will only have pride to play for. One can
certainly hope damage limitation from the travelling outfit.
Team News
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan
Inter Milan will not be able to call upon the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sulley-Muntari-c34312, despite the public falling out with the club, has been included in the line-up.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166 and Samuel Eto’o will look to lead the Nerazzurri lines.
AC Cesena
Cesena will have a clean bill of health going into this game, as Ficcadenti has called 21 players for this game. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Erjon-Bogdani-c12779 will lead the lines for Cesena in the manager’s favourite 4-3-2-1 formation, which will look to crowd out the midfield.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
The mercurial http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cameroon-c2865 international has been in lethal form this season and has scored goals left, right and centre. Eto’o has scored 18 goals for the club in the 2010-11 season and will look to increase his tally further. Should the Nerazzurri approach
the match with same venom as they have in the League since the start of 2011, expect Eto’o to hit the back of the net in the early goings.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Edgar-c11882 Bogdani
The last time Cesena played a Milanese team, Bogdani found his name on the score sheet; he scored during Cesena’s historic triumph over AC Milan. The bulky forward will be facing an inexperienced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Ranocchia-c5708, and will look to use his physicality to
his advantage.
Prediction
Cesena might have taken points off bigger Italian fish this season, but Inter are the perennial favourites for the Coppa Italia. The fact that Cesena won’t approach this tie with any ambition will only make it easier for Leonardo and his men. The game will
finish 4-0 in Inter Milan’s favour.
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