Italy

Serie A Preview: Bologna - Inter

Serie A leaders Inter travel to Bologna to get back to winning ways after their draw against Roma.

Nov 20, 2009 6:13:47 AM

Balotelli & Eto'o - Inter (Getty Images)

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Balotelli & Eto'o - Inter (Getty Images)

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Kick-Off: Saturday 21 November, 18:00 CET
Stadio Dall'Ara, Bologna

Bologna Showing Improvement

After making a poor start to the season under coach Giuseppe Papadopulo, who rescued the team from relegation at the end of last term, Bologna have been improving considerably since he was replaced by Franco Colomba. Particularly in home games, the Rossoblu have been impeccable, convincingly beating the likes of Siena and Palermo.

Of course, it’s still early to judge the new coach’s work, as he’s only been in charge for four matches. However, the players have also indicated that Colomba has had a positive influence on the team, encouraging them to play their own game instead of always playing defensively like so many other lower-ranked Serie A teams. This was especially evident in Bologna’s last match against Palermo, who were comfortably beaten 3-1.

Against Inter their recent history is mostly negative. They’ve lost their last four home matches against the Nerazzurri, their most recent victory coming in February 2002.

Last season, Jose Mourinho’s team scored an important victory at the Stadio Dall'Ara on the way to the Scudetto. In the 58th minute Esteban Cambiasso opened the scoring, but Miguel Britos equalised with ten minutes to go. Mario Balotelli swept home a free kick three minutes later to snatch the points.

Inter Cannot Afford To Let Guard Drop

Following the hugely important Champions League victory away to Dynamo Kiev a fortnight ago, Inter were quite disappointing in the home match against Roma, who easily held the Nerazzurri to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro. This resulted in Juventus closing the gap to the champions to five points.

Mourinho will urge his side to get back to winning ways immediately against Bologna. It will be a tricky match because it comes right after the international break, and a few days later there’s the Champions League encounter against Barcelona at Camp Nou. This may prompt Mourinho to make some changes to his side and rest some big name players.

However, the 'Special One' will also be aware of the Rossoblu’s impressive home form, so he won’t want to take too many risks. With Juventus facing Udinese at home, any misstep on Inter’s part could result in their lead shrinking even more.

FORM GUIDE

Bologna

November 8 v Palermo (H) – WON 3-1 (Serie A)

November 1 v Roma (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

October 28 v Siena (H) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 24 v Sampdoria (A) – LOST 4-1 (Serie A)

October 18 v Napoli (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

Inter

November 8 v Roma (H) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

November 4 v Dynamo Kiev (A) – WON 2-1 (Champions League)

November 1 v Livorno (A) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

October 29 v Palermo (H) – WON 5-3 (Serie A)

October 24 v Catania (H) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Bologna

Midfielder Massimo Mutarelli and defender Rafael Santos are out injured. Colomba is likely to play an offensive side, with Adailton behind strikers Marco Di Vaio and Marcelo Zalayeta, who twice scored the winning goal in matches against Inter while at Napoli.

Possible formation (4-3-1-2): Viviano; Raggi, Portanova, Britos, Lanna; Valiani, Guana, Mingazzini; Adailton; Zalayeta, Di Vaio.

Inter

Wesley Sneijder will be out after sustaining a minor injury during training with the Dutch national team, while Davide Santon has just undergone a knee operation after injuring himself with the Italian Under-21 team.

Possible formation (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari; Stankovic; Eto’o, Milito.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marco Di Vaio (Bologna)

So far he hasn’t been quite as productive as last season, when he scored 24 goals. He has scored just three goals in 12 games this term. Once again Bologna’s survival chances will depend heavily on his form, although this term he will get help from another experienced striker in the form of Marcelo Zalayeta.

Samuel Eto’o (Inter)

Though he has not been as much of a leader in Inter’s attack as he was expected to be, the former Barcelona star has still scored his share of goals, having netted six times in Serie A. In the Champions League he has yet to get off the mark, but what better occasion than next Tuesday against his former club?

PREDICTION

Inter to continue their winning streak at the Dall’Ara stadium.

Bologna 0-2 Inter

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

Click forward to Goal.com's Italy page for more Serie A news.

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