Serie A Preview: Inter Milan – Brescia Calcio
Nerazzuri looking to regain momentum
The reigning Italian and European Champions are finding it hard competing on two fronts. Just when their domestic form seemed to gather pace, they have started misfiring on the continental stage. For all their domestic success, a Gareth Bale inspired Tottenham
Hotspurs steamrolled the Nerazzuri machine with a commanding display; Inter were comprehensively beaten with a 3 – 1 score line.
In Serie A, Nerazzuri stands second in the league, four points off league leaders SS Lazio. A victory tonight will not change the standings but Benitez will have to make sure his side keeps up the pressure on the flying eagles or they will risk losing sight
of them. A big worry for Benitez and the club directors would be staggering decline the marauding Maicon has shown. The full back was tagged the best right back in the world not so long ago and his fall from grace has been alarming. Rafa now must use all his
motivational skills to get the player firing again for Maicon has been instrumental to Nerazzuri league dominance over the years.
On a positive note, Benitez’s man are undefeated in their last four Serie A games and yet to lose at home.
Bresica the relegation favourites
Bresica made a bright return to the Italian top tier and indeed they claimed the prized scalp of AS Roma. However, much like fellow promoted side Cesena, Azzurri are now feeling the competitive heat of Serie A. As things stand, Leonessa have 9 points from
as many games; Giuseppe Lachini’s mean are 16th in the league, a solitary point above the relegation zone.
To make matters worse, Brescia have lost their last five league games and the side’s away form is even worst. Lachini’s side has been handed defeats in four out of their five away matches. Playing at San Siro is never an easy task and with Inter looking
to close the gap on league leaders, a victory will be almost impossible. Nevertheless, Lachini must give it a shot as Rafa Benitez’s side is already low on confidence.
Team News
Inter Milan
Rafa Benitez has been terrible unlucky with all the injuries he has to cope with. Sulley Muntari, Dejan Stankovic, McDonald Mariga, Thiago Motta, Esteban Cambiasso and Julio Cesar are all out injured. Benitez will have to rely heavily on second string players.
Brescia Calcio
Lachini will have to do without the services of goalkeeper Matteo Sereni and defender Victor Mareco.
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
The Cameroonian has been the ‘messiah’ for Nerazzuri through the trouble times and tonight will be no dfferent. With a host of players struggling for form or fitness, Eto’o will be the player Inter players will look up to for inspiration, yet again.
Alessandro Diamanti
Much was expected from the mercurial attacker following his arrival from West Ham. However, the player has failed to live up to expectations. With Inter looking for balance and consistency following their injury woes, time is ripe for Diamanti to step up
and deliver for his side.
Prediction
Even with all the injuries and setbacks, Inter remains a class apart from the inferior Rondinelle. A Samuel Eto’o inspired Nerazzuri will have no problems dispatching a Brescia beret of quality. Inter Milan to win the game with a 2 – 0 score line.
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