Serie A Preview: Inter - Genoa

Jose Mourinho knows that any slip-up will increase the heat on his team for the rest of the season.

Mar 5, 2010 9:00:00 AM

By Mondal Subhankar

More On :  Genoa, Inter
Inter celebrating - Udinese-Inter - Serie A (Getty Images)
Kick-Off: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 20:45 CET.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan.

Looking Over Their Shoulders

At one point in the Serie A season, defending champions Inter were no fewer than 11 points clear at the top but their lead at the top of the table is now just four points. Three successive draws in recent weeks have allowed both Milan and Roma to catch up with them and although things have improved in their last couple of matches in all competitions, the feeling is that Inter are not invincible.

At the moment Jose Mourinho's side are four points clear of city rivals Milan but that gap could be trimmed to just a solitary point if Milan win in Rome against Roma on Saturday night. That will severely increase the pressure on Inter and a win on Sunday will become imperative.

However, Inter have yet to lose at home in the league this campaign and although they did struggle against Udinese last weekend and were perhaps fortunate to have returned from Udine with maximum points, the Nerazzurri should still grind maximum points from this fixture.

Entertaining But Erratic

Genoa have looked impressive this season but they haven't always got the results. At the moment the Grifone are ninth in Serie A with 38 points from 26 matches and are just three points off a Europa League place.

Last weekend the Grifone played out an enthralling and dramatic seven-goal thriller with Bologna in Genoa but in the end went down 4-3. A victory would have taken them level on points with Juventus and Napoli but they will be looking to get something from their trip to Milan on Sunday night.

However, Genoa have a very poor away record in the league as they have lost eight of their 12 league fixtures away from home.


FORM GUIDE

Inter

February 28 v Udinese (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)

February 24 v Chelsea (H) - WON 2-1 (Champions League)

February 20 v Sampdoria (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

February 14 v Napoli (A) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)


February 10 v Parma (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

Genoa

February 28 v Bologna (H) - LOST 4-3 (Serie A)

February 20 v Udinese (H) - WON 3-0 (Serie A)

February 14 v Juventus (A) - LOST 3-2 (Serie A)

February 7 v Chievo (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

January 31 v Napoli (A) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

 

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Chivu and Santon are still injured and Eto'o looks doubtful. Cambiasso is suspended and coach Jose Mourinho will have to watch the game form the stands.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Thiago Motta, Stankovic, Muntari; Sneijder; Milito, Balotelli

Genoa

Juric, Dainelli and Acquafresca are out while Milanetto, Sculli, Palacio and Rossi look doubtful.

Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Amelia, Papasthatopoulos, Moretti, Bocchetti; Rossi, Milanetto, Zapater, Criscito; Palacio, Suazo, Sculli

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mario Balotelli (Inter)

The temperamental but hugely talented Inter striker played a key role in last weekend's win against Udinese. He had a great first half and although he went off color in the second period, the Italian teenager did end up with one goal and one assist to his name. Balotelli is set to be given the nod ahead of Eto'o in the starting lineup on Sunday night and he will expect himself to score again.

Marco Rossi (Genoa)

Rossi scored twice against Juventus on Valentine's Day and he will again be a key player for the Grifone against Inter, orchestrating their moves from the midfield. Genoa are looking to rise up the table and have looked good in recent times, and that is reflected in Rossi's performance.


PREDICTION

Genoa will not be easy pushovers as they still retain their European dreams but they will find Inter too hot to handle at the San Siro and will go down.

Inter 3-0 Genoa

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