Italian Serie A preview: Chievo Verona – Inter Milan
Flying donkeys exceeding expectations
The Flying donkeys were expected to struggle for survival in the top flight this season but they have truly exceeded expectations. As things stand, Mussi Volanti stand 11th in the league with 16 points; five points
clear of the relegation zone, after 12 rounds of football.
Stefano Pioli’s men inflicted a draw on Cassano-less Sampdoria last week in yet another impressive display. The high flying donkeys have recorded four victories, four draws and four defeats so far this season.
Ceo don’t have an impressive record at home with just two victories and with Benitez’s men hungry for points, the game would be Chievo’s biggest test of the season so far.
All downhill for Nerazzuri
After a consistent start to the season with Samuel Eto’o stealing the headlines, the Inter machine has gone awfully wrong of late. The tag the recent run of results as disappointing would be an understatement. Last weekend’s Derby loss
to AC Milan has doomed Benitez’s men to 6th in the league with 20 points.
Rafa Benitez is under immense pressure with his new club and wild speculations suggest that the Spaniard has been given two games to save his neck. However, President Massimo Moratti has publicly backed the under fire coach. One must consider
the severe injury crisis that has taken Nerazzuri by storm with Philippe Coutinho being the latest causality.
Benitez will have to weave his managerial charm and get his squad firing, especially the attack that has looked a completely disjointed united. The fall from grace of Diego Milito is an issue Rafa will have to address sooner than later
as Eto’o simply cannot do it all on his own.
Team News
Chievo Verona
Stefano Pioli will be without the services of Brazilian midfielder Luciano as he is out with a long-term injury. Chievo are expected to line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation with Thereau and Pellissier leading the line.
Inter Milan
Rafa Benitez will have to do without a host of key players for this game. Philippe Coutinho, Cristian Chivu, McDonald Mariga, Diego Milito, Sulley Muntari, Maicon, Motta, Obi and Walter Samuel are all out injured. Benitez will counter
Pioli with his own edition of 4-3-1-2 formation. Wesley Sneijder will take his favourite trequartista role and will look to assist Eto’o and Goran Pandev in attack.
Key players
Sergio Pellissier
The Veteran striker has been rolling back the years in the Italian top flight with a series of mesmerising displays. The rejuvenation started last year and much to glee of the Ceo faithful, it has continued. Against a Nerazzuri outfit
struggling to make an impact, the club talisman will be hopeful of getting one over the reigning Italian and European Champions.
Wesley Sneijder
The Dutch maestro was arguably the best player on the planet last season – yes, even better than Lionel Messi – and the blistering performances continued at the World Cup. However, the never ending list of football games has finally caught
up with Inter number 10. Sneijder has failed to hit the same heights this season and that has shown on Nerazzuri league and continental form. Former Real Madrid playmakers will look to regain the momentum against a modest Chievo outfit ahead of crunch Champions
League ties.
Prediction
Inter are a shadow on their imperious selves while Chievo are enjoying a brilliant spell so far. The game will be a tight affair with defences being the priority. However, Inter have a superior team sheet and their quality should tell
during the 90 minutes. Nerazzuri to eke out a narrow 2 – 1 victory!
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