MD2: Empoli - Inter - 2/9/07

[Jager]

Pre game discussion here. More to follow.

[kennethlindheim]

Not a easy game for Inter, but they should overcome it. Need a win after the disappointment against Udinese.

[Jager]

Serie A Week 2 - 1/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Empoli - Inter

Stadio Castellani


Inter travel to the Stadio Castellani with a point to prove after their disappointing opening day draw with Udinese, but standing in their way are Gigi Cagni’s resilient Empoli side. The Azzurri are in Europe for the first time this term and need to make up for their defeat in the derby against Fiorentina on Sunday, yet they could hardly have a tougher side to overcome than the Nerazzurri.

In last year’s corresponding fixture Inter equalled their club record of eight consecutive wins, which they then went on to demolish by going on a 17-match streak – the longest run in Serie A history. This time around they’re just hoping to pick up their first victory of the season after being cruelly denied by Udinese in the dying seconds of their encounter. The Friuliani’s fluke goal came after Roberto Mancini’s boys held out for most of the second half with only 10 men following Julio Cesar’s dismissal for deliberate handball.

With the Brazilian shot-stopper now suspended, Francesco Toldo has a chance to stake his claim to be the regular No 1 after coming on as a substitute against Udinese. Helping him to keep Empoli out will be Cristian Chivu, with the Romanian defender set to be handed his first League start for the club in place of Walter Samuel. Maxwell and Olivier Dacourt should shake off minor knocks to retain their places in the side, but there’s no such luck for Julio Cruz. The Argentine striker was ineffective in the last match and is likely to be replaced by fellow countryman Hernan Crespo. Marco Materazzi and Patrick Vieira are both on the treatment table.

Empoli have few injury problems of their own to worry about and are boosted by the return of Davide Moro to the middle of the park. The impressive young midfielder is set to take the place of Francesco Marianini, while Lino Marzoratti is also likely to be in the starting XI after shrugging off a knock. Although it is largely the same side that was comprehensively beaten by local rivals Fiorentina in Week 1 – with Luca Saudati’s late goal the only consolation – Cagni is likely to shake things up by reshuffling his wingers and full-backs.

Things look ominous for the wily tactician though, as Inter won all four meetings between the sides last term, two of which were in the Coppa Italia. However, in their previous two Serie A seasons the Tuscans picked up victories over the Nerazzurri. It’s unlikely they’ll succeed in quite as strange a fashion as in April 2006, when a bizarre Materazzi own goal from almost the halfway line handed them the three points.

Keep an eye on: Cristian Chivu (Inter) – How will the former Roma defender get on in his first competitive start for the Nerazzurri? With Empoli unlikely to provide too much of a threat he’ll have to ensure he keeps his concentration levels high.

Last season: Empoli 0-3 Inter

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


Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Adani, Marzoratti, Tosto; Busce’, Giacomazzi, Moro, Antonini; Vannucchi; Saudati

Inter (probable): Toldo; Maicon, Cordoba, Chivu, Maxwell; Stankovic, Dacourt, Zanetti; Figo; Ibrahimovic, Crespo

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[ParmaKing]

Ibra to pick up his first goal of the season, and Crespo to start. Really need to get off quickly on this one.

[Jager]

Mancini names squad for Empoli trip
Friday, 31 August 2007 17:44:01

APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini has named a 20-player squad for Saturday's Serie A match against Empoli (Stadio Castellani, kick-off 20:30):

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 22 Paolo Orlandoni, 71 Enrico Alfonso.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 25 Walter Samuel, 26 Cristian Chivu.

Midfielders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Santiago Solari, 31 Cesar.

Strikers: 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Ricardo Cruz, 18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.

[Pennywise]

Goal, Goal, Goal, Goaaaaaaal ala Zlataaan!

[acitalianman13]

2 goals grande ibraaaaaaaa

[Jager]

Today everything was better. The defense was better, we were more creative and OUR fullbacks were running and passing.

What a great side we are when Maicon is running. We lucked out so much by picking him up.

His feed to Zlatan was just sublime.

Good game all around, even over lonely Empoli. Still a lot of work to do, but things are coming around.

[Jager]

Serie A Week 2 - 1/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Empoli 0 - 2 Inter
Ibrahimovic 13, 83 (I)
Stadio Castellani


Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals in Inter's 2-0 win away to Empoli, but Francesco Toldo had a few scares.

The Nerazzurri needed a win after their disappointing opening 1-1 draw with Udinese. Julio Cesar was suspended and Marco Materazzi injured, so Francesco Toldo got a rare start upfront. Adriano was again dropped from the squad. Empoli were defeated 3-1 at Fiorentina last week and hoped to make more of their home record at the Castellani.

Play was halted after 11 minutes for a clash of heads between Antonio Busce' and Cesar Aparecido, leaving both with blood pouring down their faces. They were off the field for treatment when the first goal was scored.

Inter took the lead soon after thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A Maicon cross from the right was acrobatically volleyed in off the outside of his right foot at the back post.

Empoli had a penalty shout on 15 minutes when Luca Saudati tried to get to a ball over the top and was sandwiched between Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel, but the referee waved play on.

Samuel deflected a Saudati header wide, then Ighli Vannucchi's splendid chipped pass over the defence found Busce' for another crucial Samuel intervention.

Empoli had an excellent opportunity on 36 minutes, but Guillermo Giacomazzi's first shot was charged down. He feinted another effort on the ricochet, but instead chipped it for the totally unmarked Luca Antonini to thump wide when clear on goal.

Toldo fumbled a dangerous swerving Vannucchi cross with Saudati hovering and Samuel was able to perform a decisive clearance.

Inter sat back, but when they came forward it was always dangerous. On the stroke of half-time Daniele Balli performed a stunning one-handed save to tip away David Suazo's turn and rocket.

In stoppages Ibrahimovic held up the ball for Esteban Cambiasso, but it fell to Suazo and his shot was charged down from eight yards.

Saudati picked up a knock to his back during that early penalty shout and was forced off at half-time, making way for Milan youth product Nicola Pozzi. Within 50 seconds of the restart Suazo had tested Balli with his blistering pace and angled drive set up by some more fancy Ibrahimovic footwork.

Inter were more sluggish and took their foot off the gas, so Empoli came forward and Toldo flew to parry a Moro screamer from 25 metres.

The home side threw on Sebastian Giovinco, the 20-year-old who has won everything at youth level with Juventus and is on loan to Empoli for some top flight experience.

Toldo had to backpeddle to fingertip a Vittorio Tosto cross-shot over the bar and on 68 minutes Giovinco's fine cross for Pozzi's header forced Toldo into another even better reaction save with his foot.

Empoli were now in charge and pouring forward with their young substitutes. Abate skipped past two players down the right and his cross was not turned in by Pozzi only thanks to Cordoba's sliding tackle.

Inter were struggling, so Roberto Mancini introduced Luis Figo for Suazo and Cristian Chivu at left-back. Figo's long-range attempt was smothered.

However, against the run of play Inter doubled their lead. Dejan Stankovic combined with Figo down the right and Cesar touched on for the unmarked Ibrahimovic to sidefoot home. He just sprung the offside trap and Balli got a foot to it, but could not keep the finish out.


Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Adani (Abate 66), Tosto; Buscé, Giacomazzi, Moro, Antonini (Giovinco 58); Vannucchi, Saudati (Pozzi 46)

Inter: Toldo; Maicon, Cordoba, Samuel, Maxwell (Chivu 74); Stankovic, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Cesar (Dacourt 88); Ibrahimovic, Suazo (Figo 73)

Ref: Ayroldi

channel4.com - Football Italia

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