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2 vs 0
Played
October 22, 2012 12:00 AM EST
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza — Milano
Referee:‬ C. Russo‎
Attendance:‬ 48708‎
 
 
 

Inter - Catania Preview: Both sides looking upwards in post-international clash

The Nerazzurri will be aiming to cement their status as title contenders when they welcome the Sicilians to San Siro on Sunday

By William Shand

Inter celebrating
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS
INTER

Handanovic
Ranocchia, Samuel, Juan Jesus
Zanetti, Guarin, Gargano, Cambiasso, Pereira
Cassano, Milito

CATANIA

Andujar
Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese

Izco, Lodi, Almiron
Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez


Inter will look to continue their good form following an international break that came at exactly the wrong time for them. Andrea Stramaccioni's men have been rapidly improving in the league, boasting recent victories over both Fiorentina and, more tellingly, AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri will be hopeful of continuing their momentum and, accordingly, the 36-year-old will not alter his team beyond enforced changes. Talisman Wesley Sneijder is still unavailable due to a knee injury while Yuto Nagatomo is suspended following his red card against Milan. Dejan Stankovic and Christian Chivu have also been ruled out due to injury.

Inter will again line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with the back three of Juan Jesus, Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel now firmly established as Stramaccioni preferred defensive option. The width will be provided by the evergreen Javier Zanetti and Alvaro Pereira, while Diego Milito and Antonio Cassano will spearhead the attack.

Catania, meanwhile, have been enjoying life under Rolando Maran. The Sicilian outfit currently sit in seventh place and have shown their quality with draws against the likes of Roma and Napoli. In the last round of fixtures, they gained three points at the expense of Parma in a 2-0 victory. 

The Rossazzurri will make just one change from their last match, with defender Giuseppe Bellusci making way for Nicolas Spolli due to injury.  Otherwise, though, Maran will stick to his tried and tested 4-3-3 formation and, like his opposite number, he will be hoping that his side pick up where they left off and, perhaps, climb even higher.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Victory over Catania would be Inter's fourth league victory in a row.
  • Antonio Cassano (pictured, right) is the Nerazzurri's top scorer in the league with four goals from seven games.
  • Last season's corresponding fixture ended in a 2-2 draw.
  • Catania were founded in 1908.
  • Despite their comfortable league position, the Sicilian outfit have not won two Serie A games in a row all season.
  • Away from home, they have only managed two goals this season.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ 04/03/2013 Catania 2 - Inter 3
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ 22/10/2012 Inter 2 - Catania 0
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ 05/03/2012 Inter 2 - Catania 2
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ 16/10/2011 Catania 2 - Inter 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ 23/05/2011 Inter 3 - Catania 1
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Last Five Matches
Inter
20/05/2013Inter 2 - Udinese 5ITA1
12/05/2013Genoa 0 - Inter 0ITA1
09/05/2013Inter 1 - Lazio 3ITA1
06/05/2013Napoli 3 - Inter 1ITA1
28/04/2013Palermo 1 - Inter 0ITA1
Catania
20/05/2013Torino 2 - Catania 2ITA1
12/05/2013Catania 1 - Pescara 0ITA1
09/05/2013Sampdoria 1 - Catania 1ITA1
05/05/2013Catania 3 - Siena 0ITA1
29/04/2013Milan 4 - Catania 2ITA1
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Samir HandanoviçGoalkeeper
4Javier Adelmar ZanettiDefender
23Andrea RanocchiaDefender
25Walter Adrian SamuelDefender
40JuanDefender
16Gaby MudingayiMidfielder
19Esteban Matias CambiassoMidfielder
20ObiMidfielder
8Rodrigo PalacioStriker
22Diego Alberto MilitoStriker
99Antonio CassanoStriker
27Vid BelecGoalkeeper
32Matteo CincillaGoalkeeper
6Matías SilvestreDefender
11Alvaro PereiraMidfielder
33Ibrahima MbayeDefender
42JonathanDefender
-CoutinhoMidfielder
11Ricardo Gabriel ÁlvarezMidfielder
14Fredy GuarínMidfielder
5Walter GarganoMidfielder
-A. DuncanMidfielder
-Marko LivajaStriker
Players to Watch
Antonio  Cassano
Antonio Cassano
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 99
Games Goals YC RC
28 8 0 0
Alejandro Gómez
Alejandro Gómez
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 17
Games Goals YC RC
36 8 5 0
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma
16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Striker
Milan
16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta
15 5