Italian Serie A Match Preview: Udinese Calcio vs. Inter Milan
Zebrette entertainment
Udinese made a strong start to 2011 by thrashing Chievo Verona and CFC Genoa, and holding AC Milan to a draw at San Siro. However, their Coppa Italia run was halted by UC Sampdoria as Zebrette crashed out on penalties. Udinese head coach, Francesco Guidolin will look to put the negative result behind him by taking points off a resurgent Inter Milan side.
Going into Serie A round 21, Zebrette have accumulated 30 points and will look to continue their hunt for a European place. The game promises to be a pulsating affair with both managers keen on playing attacking football. Zebrette in particular have adopted the ‘we-score-one-more-than-you-do’ philosophy of late, much to delight of neutrals.
Udinese have a very strong home record with six victories from nine outings. Guidolin will be hoping his troops make Inter Milan their seventh prey.
Nerazzurri eyeing top spot
After a month of rehabilitation under Leonardo, Inter Milan are truly back in the race for Scudetto. Nerazzurri have won five fixtures on the trot since the Brazilian took over. Diego Milito and Maicon have been revived, and with a host of key players yet to return from injuries, things will only get better for Leonardo and his men.
As things stand, Inter Milan are fifth in the league with just three points separating them from second placed AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603. Leonardo has a game in his hand, and should the Black-and-Blues manage to win the remaining fixture, they will cement second place in the league standings behind AC Milan.
The game against Udinese will be http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/The-Strongest-c40725 test Leonardo has had to face thus far. Zebrette have started this year in excellent form, and managed to hold AC Milan to an enthralling 4 – 4 draw at San Siro. The Brazilian tactician will have to make sure his troops approach this game with utmost focus or they risk losing the momentum.
Team News
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Udinese-Calcio-c40789
Gabriele Angella, Dusan Basta and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 to deliver the goods.
Inter Milan
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166 have all missed the trip to Udine as they continue to make up numbers on San Siro treatment tables.
Leonardo will give http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Goran-Pandev-c15161 the chance to start alongside Samuel Eto’o in a 4-3-1-2 formation that will look to dominate the proceedings.
Key Players
Antonio Di Natale
The talismanic skipper has been playing with fire in his belly of late, and will look to dominate an imperious Inter Milan rearguard. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan have one of the best defences in Serie A and Toto will have to be the inspiration behind his side going forward.
Samuel Eto’o
This man just cannot stop scoring. With his goal against Cesena in midweek, Eto’o has now scored 19 goals in all competitions. Should the Cameroonian forward manage to keep up the scintillating run of form, Inter Milan are guaranteed to win some sort of silverware come the end of season.
Prediction
The game will be an open affair with plenty of chances coming both ways. Udinese are on a great run of form, and will have the home advantage going in their favour. Leonardo and his men will look to soak up the pressure and land counter attacking blows. The game will finish in a stalemate with both sides taking a point apiece. Udinese Calcio 2 – Inter Milan 2
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