MD1: Inter - Udinese 07-08

[Jager]

Inter - Udinese

Stadio Meazza - Live on Five!


Inter open the defence of their title with a home clash against a new-look Udinese side hoping to cause a shock or two. The Zebretti were the only outfit to avoid defeat against the Nerazzurri in Serie A last term – picking up two draws – but Roberto Mancini’s side have bought wisely this summer and will be keen to get their campaign off to a flier.

The tone for last season’s Scudetto triumph was set in the opening week after a thrilling 3-2 win over Fiorentina, so Mancio and Co understand the importance of a good start. Fortunately, the tactician can call on almost a fully-fit squad, so all eyes will be on the sidelines to see which players are left out – namely Adriano, who was not called upon for the Super Cup defeat to Roma.

However, there are likely to be several changes from the side who fell 1-0 in the annual curtain raiser. Douglas Maicon should be back in place of Nicolas Burdisso, while fellow Copa America star Esteban Cambiasso is also tipped for a midfield starting berth in place of Olivier Dacourt. Tellingly, David Suazo should once again partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack, suggesting that this will be Mancio’s preferred strikeforce for the coming season.

Should things not go to plan, there are plenty of options on the Inter bench though. Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz and Luis Figo are all expected to be among the substitutes, indicating why the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza boys are many people’s tip for the title seeing as they have incredible strength in depth. But will their eyes be totally focussed on the domestic scene, given that they have made no secret of the fact that they want Milan’s European Cup crown more than anything else?

There are some doubts over whether Antonio Di Natale will play, but new Udinese Coach Pasquale Marino has plenty of options in attack for his Serie A debut with the Friuliani. Fellow summer arrivals Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Floro Flores are both likely to start, with Gyan Asamoah accompanying them in a striking trident. The ex-Catania boss can also call upon Christian Obodo, whose brilliant campaign last time out was prematurely ended by injury.

Giandomenico Mesto should make his debut at the back after joining from Reggina in the transfer window, and he will be hoping to help Samir Handanovic thwart the Nerazzurri’s attacking threat as the ‘keeper makes his first Udinese appearance since the 2004-05 campaign. He’ll have his work cut out though, as Inter have not tasted defeat against the Friuli outfit during Mancio’s reign, with the Beneamata failing to score just once in that time.

Keep an eye on: Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese) – The revelation of last season has got a new home this year, but can he keep up the habit of scoring spectacular goals with more expectation on his shoulders?

Last season: Inter 1-1 Udinese

Form guide: Inter (- - - - -) Udinese (- - - - -)


Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Chivu; Vieira, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Stankovic; Suazo, Ibrahimovic

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Mesto, Coda, Zapata, Felipe; Pinzi, Obodo, D’Agostino; Quagliarella, Floro Flores, Asamoah

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[acitalianman13]

looking foward we also have juve torino i belive and roma palermo

[Jager]

It looks like Matrix got injured versus Hungary yesterday...so this is already getting off to a rocky start.

[Jager]

-------------------------Cesar---------------------------
Maicon---------Smauel----------Chivu------------Maxwell
------------Stankovic---Cambiasso--Zanetti-------------
-------------------------Figo--------------------------
----------------Ibra-----------------Suazo--------------


I'm hoping we play something like this, and park Vieira's sorry ass on the bench.

[acitalianman13]

ya i saw that injury how long will matterazzi be out for ?

[D-Kin]

I might watch this game.

Good luck if Udinese start both Quagliarella and Floro Flores.

[Jager]

Apparently Marco went through successful surgery, and it was orthoscopic, so they didn't have to rip open the leg.

he can start training almost imediately. I think he will be back in November..Maybe.

[acitalianman13]

damn that sucks for real

[Jager]

We have coverage, the problem is that Marco is our inspirational leader, not unlike Il Capitano, but different.

I think we'll see after further thought....

Maicon--Samuel----Cordoba-----Chivu....just a hunch.

[D-Kin]

Cordoba has become a liability in my eyes.

I'm starting to think getting rid of Andreoli was a mistake.

[Jager]

Andreolli is not gone, he is just not available. Cordoba has his days, we'll see.

It just seems Mancini goes back to him, and he can't play any worse than Burdisso did against Roma.

[D-Kin]

Inter squad:

Goalkeepers: 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar.

Defenders: 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 24 Nelson Rivas, 25 Walter Samuel, 26 Cristian Chivu, 31 Cesar.

Midfielders: 4 Javier Zanetti, 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 11 Luis Jimenez, 15 Olivier Dacourt, 21 Santiago Solari.

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

[ParmaKing]

I would rather play defensively and cautious, as opposed to opening up and getting burned.

How the defense is set up, will dictate the play. But we need our fullbacks to take control of this game.

[kyan]

Great assist by Ibrahimovic... a couple of keepie-uppies and a good through ball to Stankovic but the keeper should have done better at his near post.

1-0 after 9mins - Stankovic with the goal.

[Forza_Roma]

Nice assist by Ibra...Udi with some decent chances but i feel Int will get another goal soon.