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Big game this weekend, Inter take on the viola....
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Inter continue their winning march to the Scudetto hoping to increase their already considerable advantage over Roma when they take on Fiorentina in Week 20. However, the Tuscans will be travelling to Milan eager to impress and claim a Champions League place.
The Nerazzurri seem to be unstoppable at the moment, with last week’s victory over Torino being a League record 12th straight win. That meant that at the halfway point of the season, the Milanesi have collected 51 points, nine ahead of title rivals Roma. Fiorentina are slowly creeping up the table and now that they are finally clear of the relegation zone, their aim is position four.
The Viola will probably be seeking revenge for their tie in Week 1, when they were defeated 3-2 at home. Last year’s fixture at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was also won by the Nerazzurri.
Roberto Mancini will have to warn his players about complacency, the team is having a great time of it right now but a defeat could bring them down to earth.
Ivan Cordoba will return into the defence next to Marco Materazzi. Former Palermo full-back Fabio Grosso will probably play after recovering from a leg strain. Esteban Cambiasso will be pushing for a place in the side after coming on as sub on Saturday. Once again Portuguese wing wizard Luis Figo will not be a part of the starting XI. In attack Mancini is very likely to reconfirm star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic and ex-Fiorentina ace Adriano. Argentine striker Hernan Crespo will probably have to watch from the bench.
Cesare Prandelli will have to do without key players Tomas Ujfalusi and Adrian Mutu, who are both suspended after being booked in last week’s tie. These two absences will be a huge blow for the Viola, but Prandelli is trying to invent something for the upcoming fixture. He will probably switch from an offensive 4-3-3 to a 4-3-2-1 formation.
Central defender Dario Dainelli will probably replace Ujfalusi. Italy U-21 fantasista Riccardo Montolivo will substitute Mutu. Danish winger Martin Jorgensen will take the place of Mario Alberto Santana, who was injured just before the Sampdoria game, while bomber Luca Toni will play as a lone striker. Gianpaolo Pazzini is likely to start from the bench, but may play a part in the second half.
Man on fire: Adriano (Inter) – After a nine-month wait for a goal the Brazilian striker has finally found his way. Following his strikes against Atalanta and Empoli, he netted an opener against Torino confirming the fans and Mancini’s beliefs - the Emperor is back!
Last season: Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Form guide: Inter (W W W W W) Fiorentina (W D W W D)
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Inter (probable): J.Cesar; Maicon, Materazzi, Cordoba, Grosso; J.Zanetti, Vieira, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Adriano
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Potenza, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Donadel; Jorgensen, Montolivo; Toni
***
Inter continue their winning march to the Scudetto hoping to increase their already considerable advantage over Roma when they take on Fiorentina in Week 20. However, the Tuscans will be travelling to Milan eager to impress and claim a Champions League place.
The Nerazzurri seem to be unstoppable at the moment, with last week’s victory over Torino being a League record 12th straight win. That meant that at the halfway point of the season, the Milanesi have collected 51 points, nine ahead of title rivals Roma. Fiorentina are slowly creeping up the table and now that they are finally clear of the relegation zone, their aim is position four.
The Viola will probably be seeking revenge for their tie in Week 1, when they were defeated 3-2 at home. Last year’s fixture at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was also won by the Nerazzurri.
Roberto Mancini will have to warn his players about complacency, the team is having a great time of it right now but a defeat could bring them down to earth.
Ivan Cordoba will return into the defence next to Marco Materazzi. Former Palermo full-back Fabio Grosso will probably play after recovering from a leg strain. Esteban Cambiasso will be pushing for a place in the side after coming on as sub on Saturday. Once again Portuguese wing wizard Luis Figo will not be a part of the starting XI. In attack Mancini is very likely to reconfirm star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic and ex-Fiorentina ace Adriano. Argentine striker Hernan Crespo will probably have to watch from the bench.
Cesare Prandelli will have to do without key players Tomas Ujfalusi and Adrian Mutu, who are both suspended after being booked in last week’s tie. These two absences will be a huge blow for the Viola, but Prandelli is trying to invent something for the upcoming fixture. He will probably switch from an offensive 4-3-3 to a 4-3-2-1 formation.
Central defender Dario Dainelli will probably replace Ujfalusi. Italy U-21 fantasista Riccardo Montolivo will substitute Mutu. Danish winger Martin Jorgensen will take the place of Mario Alberto Santana, who was injured just before the Sampdoria game, while bomber Luca Toni will play as a lone striker. Gianpaolo Pazzini is likely to start from the bench, but may play a part in the second half.
Man on fire: Adriano (Inter) – After a nine-month wait for a goal the Brazilian striker has finally found his way. Following his strikes against Atalanta and Empoli, he netted an opener against Torino confirming the fans and Mancini’s beliefs - the Emperor is back!
Last season: Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Form guide: Inter (W W W W W) Fiorentina (W D W W D)
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Inter (probable): J.Cesar; Maicon, Materazzi, Cordoba, Grosso; J.Zanetti, Vieira, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Adriano
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Potenza, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Donadel; Jorgensen, Montolivo; Toni
