MD18:Siena - Inter

[Jager]

When Siena host Inter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi it will see the worst defence in Serie A come up against one of the toughest. The Bianconeri have conceded 30 goals in just 17 games, more than any other team in the top-flight this season. Their situation will not be helped by Paolo Negro’s continued absence through injury. The experienced defender had been set to line-up against a host of former Lazio teammates including Giuseppe Favalli and Juan Veron.

Nerazzurri Coach Roberto Mancini will be much more confident about his defence as his side have conceded just 14 times in the current campaign, a record that is second only to Juventus. With the likes of Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel now recovered from their injuries, the tactician will be hoping for his team’s eleventh clean-sheet of the campaign.

Mancio is also likely to be confident of his team’s chances at the other end, as Obafemi Martins and Adriano have hit excellent form recently. After the pair notched up seven goals in their last three matches they are sure to be a threat again in this encounter, especially with Martins looking to impress before he departs for the African Cup of Nations.

As well as the Milan outfit’s Nigerian striker, there will be a number of Siena players hoping to impress in Week 18. Defenders Igor Tudor and Nicola Legrottaglie plus ‘keeper Antonio Mirante are all still owned by top of the table Juve. They will no doubt be eager to do their compatriots a big favour by beating second placed Inter.



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Siena (probable): Mirante; Portanova, Legrottaglie, Tudor, Gastaldello; Alberto, D’Aversa, Vergassola; Locatelli; Chiesa, Bogdani

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

Ref: To folllow

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

[ParmaKing]

We will see how rusty we are. I expect the team to pick up where we left off.

[Jager]

Siena 0 - 0 Inter

Stadio Franchi

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Inter failed to pierce Serie A's worst defence and fall 10 points behind leaders Juventus.

Roberto Mancini's men came to the Stadio Artemio Franchi off the back of six wins on the trot and were hoping to take advantage of the worst defence in Serie A. Siena had conceded an astonishing 30 goals in 17 games going into this tie. Obafemi Martins played his last match before jetting off for the African Cup of Nations and partnered Adriano, who has recovered after being knocked unconscious before Christmas.

Martins failed to take advantage of an early Antonio Mirante error, as he probably should've passed to Adriano instead of going for glory, but the goalkeeper made up for it with two tricky saves on Esteban Cambiasso and Giuseppe Favalli.

Siena fought back and Enrico Chiesa curled one of his trademark finishes just past the far post, while Gastaldello couldn't take advantage of a loose ball from a corner.

A Dejan Stankovic free header from a corner kick was wide of the near post, then a deflected Adriano set-piece skimmed the upright.

Cambiasso somehow escaped a booking for a dreadful tackle on Bogdani, raking his studs down the striker's calf.

Inter's best chance of the game so far was created on the hour mark, as Favalli cut back for Stankovic's immediate shot, but Mirante performed a splendid reaction save.

There was an even better opportunity moments later, as Adriano's low cross missed both Stankovic and Martins with just the tiniest of deflections needed to turn it into a goal.

Inter were churning out chances and wasting all of them, as Martins turned his free header from a Stankovic cross over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Mancini threw on Alvaro Recoba for Luis Figo to create a trident attack for the final 20 minutes, but Adriano sprung the offside trap and couldn't make contact with the ball.

The Coach took desperate measures in the closing stages by introducing Julio Cruz and David Pizarro in place of the tired Adriano and Martins, but they couldn't find a way through.


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Siena: Mirante; Foglio, Portanova, Tudor, Gastaldello; Alberto, Paro (Colonnese 91), Vergassola; Locatelli (Negro 84); Chiesa (D'Aversa 75), Bogdani

Inter: Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Samuel, Favalli; Figo (Recoba 70), Veron, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Adriano (Cruz 85), Martins (Pizarro 85)

Ref: Saccani

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

[Jager]

..and I would like to wish Beppe Favalli a very Happy 34th birthday.

[interista luigi]

very disappointed about this game. We have to pick up cesar, and get him in on the left because we are weak there., despite his best chance stankovic was sending in floaters,he needs to be central to take full effect.

These late substitutions have made the matches tedious, sending in pizzaro cruz and chino with less than ten minutes left is stupidity. They need time to settle.

Cambiasso and figo stankovic had probably their worst games of the season today, a draw is good but considering our position, i will take it as a loss

[Jager]

I still believe the Roma game was the end of our scudetto chances, but this game certainly didn't help matters.

Even before today, topping Juve was a tall task.

The club was definitely rusty at the begining, but sort of picked it up in the second. Our only hope now is that we open up some space between the rest of the pack, and CL spot. This way we can rest players. However we don't have that luxury at the moment.

[interista luigi]

the turning point came when veron called out adriano, and questioned the seriousness of inter's progress. We went on a tear after that, and showed no mercy.

creating spaces in the standings is probably just as hard as catching juve, milan will probably trying the same.

Mancini has to bring in players sooner.