MD17:Inter v Empoli

[Jager]

Inter - Empoli

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

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Inter have hit a rich vein of form and will be strong favourites to record their sixth straight win when they meet Empoli at the San Siro. While Mancini's men are going from strength to strength, Mario Somma's Empoli have found wins hard to come by and will not be expecting to get only their second away win of the season against the Nerazzurri.

Pre-season expectation was intense amongst the Inter faithful but the Nerazzurri are only now starting to find some consistency. Week 16's 4-0 demolition of Reggina closed the gap between Inter and Juventus to eight points and, while most critics believe that the Scudetto race is over, Inter are unbeaten in seven and could be a force to be reckoned with if they do lure January reinforcements.

Empoli's fortunate draw with Fiorentina was the Azzurri's first point in five games. Although Somma's side seemed at home in Serie A in early weeks, the Tuscans have struggled recently and have been overly dependent on Francesco Tavano. His nine goals propelled Empoli into comfortable mid-table, but he is now without a goal in three matches and the Serie A newcomers have started to slide.

Roberto Mancini will be without Ivan Cordoba but Pierre Wome is ready to return. Somma has the luxury of a full squad for the daunting trip to the San Siro.



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Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Mihajlovic, Samuel, Favalli; Figo, Cambiasso, Veron, Stankovic; Martins, Adriano

Empoli (probable): Berti; Lucchini, Coda, Pratali, Bonetto; Busce', Almiron, Moro, Vannucchi; Tavano, Rigano'

Ref: To folllow

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...6/int-emp.html

[Jager]

Inter is dominating this one...3-1.

Figo just scores a nice goal, to put us ahead by two. Playing great.

[Jager]

Oba adds another, 4-1 now. We are rolling now.

All players are clicking.

[Jager]

INTER v EMPOLI: Line-ups
(12) JULIO CESAR Berti
(4) ZANETTI J. Raggi
(3) BURDISSO Coda
(25) SAMUEL Lucchini
(16) FAVALLI Bonetto
(7) FIGO Busce'
(14) VERON Ficini
(19) CAMBIASSO Almiron
(21) SOLARI Moro
(10) ADRIANO Rigano'
(30) MARTINS Tavano
Substitutes
(1) TOLDO Balli
(6) ZANETTI C. Gasparetto
(8) PIZARRO Vanigli
(11) MIHAJLOVIC Serafini
(20) RECOBA Lodi
(33) WOME Vannucchi
(9) CRUZ Zanetti

[sinoy1]

great win by you guyz...heard adriano is injured tho?

[Jager]

I think its minor, more of a precaution, I will keep people posted on it, if I hear anything. We are coming into break at a good time.

[Jager]

ADRIANO OKAY AFTER INITIAL TESTS
Thursday, 22 December 2005 00:04:10
MILAN - After the clash of heads with Empoli defender Raggi and the consequent substitution in the twentieth minute of Wednesday evening's Serie A Week 17 match at the Giuseppe Meazza, Nerazzurri striker Adriano was taken to Milan's Niguarda hospital for tests and a brain scan, the results of which were negative. Adriano, who has suffered concussion, will be kept under observation for several hours.

Thank God he's alright. The time off should do him well.

[interista luigi]

best possibl;e result before the holidays. wish i could have seen this one though. We are scoring a lot and the squad are becoming more and more focused.

Burdisso has a lot of leadership around him, and it going to show as he matures.

[Jager]

Complete utter domination mate, from the begining to the end.

[interista luigi]

inter are showing that they can win scrappy, ugly 1-0 games as well as 4-0 and 4-1 dominations.

of the two i prefer more goals but, 3 pts. is 3 pts.

love seeing veron yell.

[Jager]

We still have work to do, I think they will go on a long run now. They are playing with that same confidence they had late last season.