Serie A: Inter - Empoli [29-04-07]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 34 - 29/4/07 (19.30 UK)

Inter-Empoli
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

With the Scudetto in the bag, Inter may be expected to take their foot off the gas in this clash with Empoli. However, after their terrible evening last time they played in front of their home fans at the San Siro – the 3-1 loss to Roma – they will feel they owe their support a show in their first match since being crowned champions.

Empoli though have it all to play for as they cling on to their fast-fading dream of claiming fourth place, and a Champions League spot. With Milan holding a six-point advantage over the Castellani boys at present, and in fine fettle, a defeat against the Campioni d’Italia will surely quash Gigi Cagni’s hopes of gate-crashing the top four. A UEFA Cup slot should be the consolation prize, but a crushing defeat at the Giuseppe Meazza could derail confidence at this late stage in the season so don’t expect a gung-ho assault on Julio Cesar’s goal.

The Serpenti have already put three goals past the Tuscan side, with Hernan Crespo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Walter Samuel netting in the last half hour to confirm an emphatic romp back in December. The Azzurri have gone three games without conceding though, albeit with their last penetration coming in the home of the Nerazzurri during the 3-1 loss to Milan in early April. With Inter’s goals having dried up – no more than two scored in any Serie A game since the 5-2 trouncing of Catania back in February – there is the possibility of this one being quite a tight encounter.

Empoli also have the knowledge that they share with Roma the achievement of having beaten Inter in a Serie A clash in the past 12 months – something no other sides can boast. That triumph came thanks to a 91st minute own goal by current hero Marco Materazzi, almost a year ago to the day. History doesn’t make pleasant reading for the minnows though. Aside from a 1-0 win at the San Siro in 2004 – again thanks to an injury time goal, this one from Tomasso Rocchi – they have conceded at least three goals in their appearances at the home of Inter since 1997.

The sides are no strangers this season, having met twice in the Coppa Italia – both games going 2-0 to Inter – as well as their Serie A meeting. And it will be familiar faces lining up as neither side expect to overhaul their starting line-ups. Inter only anticipate two changes from the XI who started against Siena, with Olivier Dacourt beginning in place of Santiago Solari in midfield and Fabio Grosso in for Nicolas Burdisso in defence. Adriano completes his two-match ban. Empoli will run with the same roster that drew at home to Torino in Week 33.

Man on fire: Marco Materazzi (Inter) – Three goals in his last two games were enough to secure the title for the Nerazzurri – and round off a stunning 12 months for Matrix.

Form guide: Inter (W D D L W) Empoli (W L D W D)

Last season: Inter 4-1 Empoli

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Grosso; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Dacourt, Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Cruz

Empoli (probable): Bassi; Raggi, Vanigli, Pratali, Lucchini; Busce', Almiron, Moro; Vannucchi; Pozzi, Saudati

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

...well we know Ibra is not going to play.

At this stage does it matter?

I say play the primavera team for one game. For crying out loud, if this isn't a perfect time to play some primavera players, I don't know when is.

The same with Solari and a few others.

[Diabolico]

Channel4 is just trying to make it sound exciting. I agree, this is the perfect time to experiment; in fact Inter's last Serie A games of the season can be very valuable in that sense if that approach is taken. Now's the time to try out different players and new strategies and see what works-- most teams don't get this kind of opportunity.

[Jager]

I completely agree, and I also feel why teams like yours and Juve have so much success with young players.

A. they play them.

B. they win titles and can afford to play them.

Personally, the best record crap is just that. I really don't care about that. I want to see Andreolli play.

I would like to see Recoba start, since he is leaving.

Solari actually play.

The young Moroccon play also. The best team should play the last home game of course.

[Diabolico]

Originally Posted by Jager

I completely agree, and I also feel why teams like yours and Juve have so much success with young players.

A. they play them.

B. they win titles and can afford to play them.

I agree, though Milan this season is faltering a bit in that regard. We've done well with Bonera, he's gotten a lot of play (though probably wouldn't have if not for injuries to our starters), but we've pretty much wasted Borriello and have so far played Grimi only twice. It's largely understandable, though; unlike you guys we have not managed to get ourselves into a position where we can comfortably risk a few games to experimentation.

[Forza_Roma]

I agree with Jager...play the kids. Give the veterans a break and let the kids play in some serious competitive action. Inter should field at least two ro three younger kids a game...but then again, they are paying these players top dollar...may want to get their moneys worth, But if it were me...i would sit as many starts as possible and play as many kids...they need the experience.

[kennethlindheim]

Andreolli, Maaroufi and Recoba should play....its about time.

[Forza_Roma]

Adriano will probably play. Inter may want to showcase him off if they intend to sell him.

[D-Kin]

Yeah, Adriano could do with a few more goals this season.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Inter. Goal by Cruz

[Forza_Roma]

1-1 SAUDATI(57)
2-1 (59)RECOBA
3-1 (61)STANKOVIC

[Forza_Roma]

3-1 Inter...Nice try Empoli...but game over.

[Trim]

Good win Inter. If there wasn't Julio Cesar, Inter would have conceded more goals.
Beautiful goal by El Chino from the corner, fantastic.

[Forza_Roma]

I have to admit, this was a nice celebration! It was nice to see Recoba kiss his kid...very nice. I like when they bring their children out to celebrate. Very Nice!





This is awesome!

[Diabolico]

As Trim said, great performance by Julio Cesar and fantastic corner-kick goal by Recoba. If it weren't for the Empoli keeper getting a hand to it and making it look "messy", that would be on the goal of the day/week/whatever highlight reels. (And it deserves to be there anyway, "messy" or not.)

I sort of like Empoli ever since the Pozzi finger drama (never had much opinion on them before that), but nonetheless I'm glad Inter won. Thanks guys, now Milan is further clear of our CL spot competitors.