Italian Serie A preview: Inter Milan Vs. US Palermo
Nerazzurri look to bounce back
Inter Milan’s unbeaten streak under Leonardo was broken by Udinese last week, but Nerazzurri returned to winning ways with a Coppa Italia victory over SSC http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003. Even though the reigning Champions needed a penalty shoot-out to seal a semi-final berth, Leonardo
would have welcomed the victory, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 look to regain momentum.
With AC Milan having won their game against Catania last night, the pressure is on the chasing pack to close the gap. A win tonight is a necessity if Nerazzurri are to defend their title. Inter are 12 points off the pace with two games to spare, and can’t
afford any more slip-ups.
Inter are competing on three fronts; Serie A, Coppa Italia and the Champions League, and Leonardo will have to utilise his resources with utmost care. The tactician might look to rest some key players, and the arrivals of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giampaolo-Pazzini-c14802
have added some much needed cover.
Rosanero struggling for consistency
Palermo are one of the most entertaining outfits in Serie A. The Sicilians play an attacking brand of football and boast the third highest goals tally in the league. However, Delio Rossi’s men have the worst defensive record among the top seven teams. Their
all-out attacking instincts often leave their defence exposed.
As things stand, Palermo are seventh in the league with 34 points to their name; four points adrift of AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 who occupy the last Champions League berth. Aquile’s poor away form has been their undoing. The Sicilians have played 10 away games. Rosanero have
won just three games on their travels and have lost a whopping five.
Against a resurgent Inter Milan side, Palermo will need their talismanic attackers http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabrizio-Miccoli-c13236 in full flow. Whenever these two perform to their abilities Palermo usually come out on top.
Team News
Inter Milan
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristian-Chivu-c9519 as the trio is suspended for this game.
Diego Milito and Samuel Eto’o will lead the lines in Leonardo’s 4-3-1-2 formation. Meanwhile new arrivals Pazzini and Ranocchia will start on the bench.
US Palermo
Delio Rossi will have to do without the services of the injured http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abel-Hernández-c3432.
Fabrizio Miccoli will play the lone striker’s role with Pastore and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Josip-Ilicic-c19564 playing as the two playmakers.
Key players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166
After making a dismal start to the season, Diego Milito is slowly rediscovering his form under Leonardo. With a critical Champions League double header against Bayern Munich coming up, Nerazzurri now require his intelligent play more than ever. The game
against Palermo will provide him with yet another opportunity to gather lost momentum.
Fabrizio Miccoli
Miccoli has made a habit out of scoring against big opposition. With Pastore and Ilicic struggling for form in the second half of the campaign, the skipper will have to lead from the front. Palermo must score if they are to come away from San Siro with a
point, and most of the goal scoring burden will be on the Italian’s shoulder.
Prediction
The game will be an enthralling affair with both sides creating chances. However, Inter will make their superior quality and home advantage count with a 3–2 victory.
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