Italian Serie A preview: US Lecce – Inter Milan
Lupi looking for the upset
Lecce are everyone’s relegation candidates and not much is expected of Mirko Benigno’s side. The likes of AC Milan and Juventus have thrashed the Giallorossi this season and more of the same will be expected tonight. This weekend’s 2 –
0 defeat to fellow relegation strugglers Bologna has pushed Lupi down to 16thin the league, just three points above the relegation zone.
However, the Nerazzuri are struggling with injuries and form and thus, are vulnerable. Benigno must urge his men to go for the three points. On a further positive note, Lecce are yet to lose at home this season and Benigno will be hopeful
of a result.
Benitez surrounded by problems
Rafa Benitez moved to Italy following a troubled last year at Anfield but the bad luck seems to have followed him here. Nerazzuri are in the gravest of injury crisis with a host of first team players set to face lengthy periods on the
sidelines with injuries.
Benitez admitted on Tuesday that he never expected to face so many problems at San Siro. However the tactician has revealed that the club has no option but to tackle the problems. One certainly feels for the Spanish coach.
Nerazzuri are on a poor run of form with just a single victory from their last four games. Inter currently stand third in the league with 19 points, 3 points off the summit. A victory must be achieved tonight by the Milanese giants to
keep the pressure on league leaders. Inter have a good away record in Serie A with only two goals conceded and thus will be confident of pocketing the three points.
Team News
US Lecce
Lupi manager will be without the services of Fabiano, Reginiussen, Ferrario and Bertolacci as they have been ruled out with injuries. Benigno will look to crown the midfield with five players in order to smother Inter Milan.
Inter Milan
The Nerazzuri injury woes continue to go from bad to worse. Wesley Sneijder and Maicon are the latest injury causalities. The two key players will join Sulley Muntari, McDonald Mariga, Thiago Motta, Suazo, Esteban Cambiasso, Julio Cesar
and Walter Samuel on the treatment tables. On a slightly positive note, Diego Milito has completely recovered from injury and is set to start from the off.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
The Messiah for Inter Milan so far this season. Where everyone has only disappointed, this Cameroonian gem just keeps on scoring. The former Barcelona man will lead the line for a bruised and battered Inter squad and a lot will depend
on Eto’o if Nerazzuri are to achieve a result.
Antonio Rosati
The Lecce custodian will have to be on his toes throughout the 90 minutes while facing a red-hot Samuel Eto’o. Should Rosati manage to keep a clean sheet, Lecce has every chance of getting a result against the reigning European and Italian
Champions.
Prediction
Even with Nerazzuri severely hampered by injuries, Benitez’s men have enough quality to subdue a modest Lecce outfit. However, having said that, a victory will only come with a lot focus. Inter to eke out a 1 – 0 victory!
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