Serie A Preview: Inter Milan – Juventus FC (Part 2)
Team News
Inter: Inter will not have the services of Javier Zanetti, Thiago Motta and Marco Materazzi as the trio is still out injured. Diego Milito and Walter Samuel are struggling with injuries but might still feature. Diego Milito has been
a shadow of his explosive self and many have called for him to be benched until he recovers his golden scoring touch. Even if he makes it in time, he is likely to sit out the match in favour of Philippe Coutinho.
The sensational Brazilian played the entire match against Werder Bremen and showed flashes if his ability with an array of tricks and flicks.
Expected formation
Inter Milan will line up in a 4-3-3 formation that has worked well for them so far this season. Samuel Eto’o will start as the lone striker; a position where he has been stupendously efficient. Pandev and Coutinho will flank the Cameroonian International.
Sneijder, Cambiasso and Stankovic will for a midfield trident that will battle for supremacy. Cordoba and Lucio will play in the heart of defence with Maicon and Chivu completing the back four.
Probable Line up
Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Ivan Cordoba, Chivu, Wesley Sneijder, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Pandev, Milito, Eto’o.
Juventus: Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is a long-term causality and a realistic date for his return cannot be set. Armand Traore is also unavailable due to an injury. On a positive note, Amauri has apparently recovered from his
injury and will make the bench for this fixture. Iaquinta and Del Piero are likely to retain their places in the starting eleven.
Expected formation
Luigi Del Neri will start with his usual 4-4-2 formation. Del Piero and Iaquinta were impressive against Manchester City and thus will keep their first team status. Melo and Marchisio will have to battle hard against an impressive Inter Milan midfield. The
victors of this midfield battle well may decide the tie. Simone Pepe will feature on the left flank. Milos Krasic on the right wing will be the main attacking threat for the Bianconeri. Grygera and Motta aren’t quality wingbacks thus Bonucci and Chiellini
will have to perform beyond their abilities if they are to stop inter from scoring. Marco Storari will keep the gloves as his recent performances have been really impressive.
Probable Line up
Marco Storari, Zdenek Grygera, Marco Motta, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Milos Krasic, Felipe Melo, Caludio Marchisio, Simone Pepe, Alessandro Del Piero, Vicenzo Iaquinta
Key Players
Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o has been playing like a man possessed. The forward tore the Bremen defence in to pieces with a devastating hat-trick on Wednesday. With 9 goals in just 8 matches, the Cameroonian International will be odds on favourite to find the back of the
net again.
Milos Krasic
Along with Hernanes of SS Lazio, Krasic has been the signing of the season so far. The Serbian made his much anticipate move from Russia earlier this season and has been terrorising the Serie A defences with his devastating turn of pace and deadly accurate
crosses. Krasic will be up against Chivu; the weak link in Nerazzuri backline. The Bianconeri winger will look to outclass the Romanian and his ability to create will be of critical importance for likes of Iaquinta and Amauri.
Prediction
The game will be a tight affair with both defences on their peak. Juventus has found some of its lost form but the Nerazzuri is an indomitable force at home. There is every chance this tie will end up in a stalemate but one gets the feeling that an Eto’o
inspired Inter will take steal the three points. Inter to win 2-1.
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