MD20: Udinese-Inter- 27/1/08 (14.00 UK)

[Jager]

Udinese-Inter - 27/1/08 (14.00 UK)
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Stadio Friuli


Inter hope to continue their unbeaten run as they meet Udinese at the Stadio Friuli in Week 20. It should be an interesting tie as Inter are quite simply dominating Serie A while Udinese are this term’s revelation.

The Nerazzurri are comfortably leading the table, but the Bianconeri could be hard to beat. No one has scored as often as the Milanesi this season and their defence is also the best having conceded only 13 goals in 19 games.

But despite beating Parma 3-2 in the last week’s round, Inter weren’t at their best. Being seven points clear of Roma and 12 ahead of Juventus, the Nerazzurri may be losing their focus on the campionato. The Interisti may well have their minds set on the Champions League clash against Liverpool – and Udinese will be ready to take advantage of it.

The Bianconeri have had a good season so far. They lost 1-0 against Milan at the weekend, but they are still fifth in the table. The Zebrette would be happy with a repeat of last year’s goalless draw against Inter.

Coach Pasquale Marino has done a great job in this year’s campaign, transforming Udinese into a solid and consistent side. The former Catania boss will have to deal with the absences of Asamoah Gyan, away for the African Cup of Nations, and the injured Giampiero Pinzi.

On the other hand, Brazilian defender Dias Felipe and Swiss ace Gokhan Inler will make their return after suspension. Antonio Di Natale, Fabio Quagliarella and Simone Pepe will form the Friulani trident.

Inter’s injury list is much longer than Udinese’s. Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo, Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel and Dejan Stankovic are all out.

The good news for Roberto Mancini is that Patrick Vieira and David Suazo should be able to play a part in the game. Javier Zanetti could return to his natural right-back position after playing as a midfielder for a long while.

Newly-signed Nuno Maniche may start in midfield along with Cristian Chivu and Esteban Cambiasso. Luis Jimenez will be the Trequartista playing just behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz. Hernan Crespo should return to the bench after being a starter in the last two games.

Keep an eye on: Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese) – If there is one man who can beat Inter that is ‘Il Quaglia’. The former Torino player has scored seven times so far this season.

Last season: Udinese 0-0 Inter

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


Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Mesto, D’Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Inter (probable): J.Cesar; J.Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Maxwell; Maniche, Cambiasso, Chivu; Jimenez; Ibrahimovic, Cruz

Ref: To follow...

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[D-Kin]

Stankovic starts against Udinese Saturday 26 January, 2008

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Dejan Stankovic is back in the Inter squad and set to start tomorrow’s tricky match with Udinese.

The squad and Coach Roberto Mancini are still holding a Press silence in protest at their perceived victimisation in the media over refereeing decisions.

Nuno Maniche has not been called up despite making his debut for the club last Sunday evening against Parma.

With Olivier Dacourt, Cristian Chivu, Douglas Maicon and Walter Samuel also sidelined, this means Stankovic is very likely to make his comeback from the start.

Stankovic has played one half against Siena on January 13 and one half with Reggina in the Coppa Italia since suffering his Achilles tendon injury in early November.

Mancini is thought to be considering a 4-4-2 system with Cesar and Luis Jimenez taking the flanks, although Javier Zanetti is another option for the right.

David Suazo is still out of action, so talented teenager Mario Balotelli will sit on the bench.

Inter squad: Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni; Cordoba, Zanetti, Maxwell, Burdisso, Materazzi, Rivas; Stankovic, Jimenez, Vieira, Cambiasso, Solari, Pelè, Cesar; Cruz, Ibrahimovic, Crespo, Balotelli.

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[D-Kin]

Mancio: Media are anti-Inter Sunday 27 January, 2008

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Roberto Mancini broke his silence ahead of the Udinese match to slam the media for showing “prejudice” towards Inter.

The club are refusing to speak to the Press after controversy over the refereeing decisions in their 3-2 win over Parma last Sunday.

Mancio only allowed an exception for Inter Channel and took the opportunity to unleash more vitriol on the mainstream media.

“Many people are prejudiced against Inter, they prove that every day and it has gone on for months now.

“We didn’t do anything against Parma, we were awarded a penalty in an incident where the player admitted he hit the ball with his arm in the box, so there was nothing so scandalous. It will pass.”

Fernando Couto was also sent off for that handling offence and in stoppages the Nerazzurri went from 2-1 down to a 3-2 victory.

Parma were denied a penalty earlier in the game and the media took this as the latest example of favouritism for the leaders.

Inter have the opportunity to answer their critics against fifth-placed Udinese this afternoon, who were defeated 1-0 on home turf by Milan last weekend.

“Last season Udinese created a lot of problems for us, which also happened when we faced them at San Siro in August. I remember it was a tough game and we had Julio Cesar sent off. It’ll be difficult this time as well.”

The Friulani were the only team to avoid defeat against Inter last season, holding them to two draws, and they earned a 1-1 at the Stadio Meazza in Week 1 this term.

“Antonio Di Natale has more experience, quality and makes sacrifices for the team, while Fabio Quagliarella is doing very well at both club and international level. They given Udinese an extra level, but there are other players in the team who also impress. They always dig up talented youngsters with an excellent scouting network.”

Dejan Stankovic is back in the side and Patrick Vieira is working towards full fitness after many months on the sidelines, but Cristian Chivu, David Suazo, Douglas Maicon, Walter Samuel, Luis Figo and Olivier Dacourt remain injured.

“Udinese are one of the surprises of the season along with Juventus and Fiorentina. Palermo and Milan are a little behind, while Lazio paid the price for the Champions League preliminary round.”

Mancini celebrated his 200th official match on the Nerazzurri bench last week and is on track to become their most successful tactician. Does he intend to stay for life?

“I hope I have entered into the hearts of the fans – maybe not all of them, as everyone has their own opinion. I hope to remain at Inter for a long time, even if I don’t like to say I’ll stay for life. I may well be here for 10 years, but life always reserves unexpected surprises.”

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[D-Kin]

Marino warns Nerazzurri Sunday 27 January, 2008

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Pasquale Marino assures Udinese want to maintain their taboo status by “really going for it” against Inter.

The Friulani are the only side who remained undefeated against the title winners last season and also held them to a 1-1 draw at San Siro in Week 1.

“We know we are facing the strongest side, as the statistics don’t lie,” commented the former Catania Coach.

Yet Inter struggled to see off Parma 3-2 last week in a controversial stoppage-time turnaround.

“The Nerazzurri aren’t in their best period of form and a few difficulties are bound to arrive over the course of a campaign, but they always manage to overcome these obstacles thanks to their great quality.”

Udinese had the opposite experience last Sunday, losing 1-0 to Milan’s injury-time winner.

“We too are very confident. Aside from the negative result, we were more than a match for Milan and that boosted our morale.

“We cannot make any mistakes. Our opponents are unpredictable and give few reference points upfront. It will be important for us to maintain our shape in possession, spread the play and make the most of our time on the ball.”

Marino is most concerned with Inter’s capabilities from set pieces.

“They are good at getting in front of their markers and very strong physically. We must be careful not to give free kicks away around the box.

“Of course, Udinese will really go for it and avoid giving Inter space to run in. At the end of the day, emerging unbeaten from four meetings with Inter would be a respectable result.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

I did not like the Cesar sending off, and Ibra's goal was legit, but I accept the result, as we had a good break against Parma.

I just hope these red cards are out of our system.

The game was non sense, I saw very little from it, other than Inter with ten men can still be extremely dangerous.

The clean sheet was needed and I'm glad we got that.