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Serie A Preview: Inter - Roma

Serie A leaders Inter welcome Roma on Sunday night for what's always an eventful fixture...

Nov 6, 2009 11:34:45 AM

Diego Milito is on the prowl for Inter (Grazia Neri)

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Diego Milito is on the prowl for Inter (Grazia Neri)

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Kick-Off: Sunday, November 8, 20:45 CET
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

Inter On A High

After more than a year, Inter were finally able to win a match in the Champions League again on Wednesday night, beating Dynamo Kiev away from home. It was an absolutely crucial encounter for their chances of qualification, as they entered the week bottom of the standings, albeit just one point behind top spot in a very competitive group.

For a long time it looked set to be another disappointing European night for the Nerazzurri. Former Milan star Andriy Shevchenko opened the scoring in the first half and Inter’s forwards missed a number of sitters in the second period. However, four minutes before the end, Diego Milito finally scored his first Champions League goal for the club to equalise, and the outstanding Wesley Sneijder scored the winner with a minute left on the clock. It was their first victory on the European stage this season. Previously they had endured three draws - against Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev.

Now Jose Mourinho’s team are suddenly on top of their group again and are in a solid position to go through, although nothing’s been decided yet. It was definitely what they needed to silence their critics, who always point out how much Inter struggled in Europe when discussing their imperious domestic form. In Serie A they are on a run of five consecutive victories, which has seen them move seven points clear at the top of the table after 11 matches, an unprecedented feat in Calcio history.

This is definitely the most positive period of Mourinho’s tenure so far, as the team are looking more fluent and confident than last season, when they mostly relied on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score the goals. And now it finally seems like they are able to translate their domestic success to the European stage as well. However, for now their focus will turn back to Serie A, as on Sunday night they face a dangerous Roma side who have often caused them big problems in recent years.

Roma Going Through Transition Stage

It’s been a torrid first few months of the season for Roma. After the departure of coach Luciano Spalletti following a couple of early defeats in Serie A, Roman-born Claudio Ranieri has taken over the reigns. Results have been mixed at best. Recently the Giallorossi suffered a run of three consecutive defeats in the league, and they are currently in 14th place in the table.

That is nowhere near where a club of Roma’s stature should find itself. However, in their last couple of games the Giallorossi at least showed some character. Both against Bologna in Serie A and Fulham in the Europa League, they came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in front of their home fans.

Defensive resilience and mental strength have always been trademarks of teams coached by Ranieri, but it’s quite a transition from the attack-minded philosophy his predecessor instilled in the unit. This fundamental switch in playing style is clearly taking its toll on the players, who don’t yet look like they have assimilated Ranieri’s tactics completely.

Against an in-form Inter side, they are clear underdogs, but they will draw some confidence from their recent results against Mourinho's side, particularly at the San Siro. The Nerazzurri haven’t beaten Roma at home since 2005, and since then the Giallorossi have won twice.

This fixture has also frequently produced a lot of goals, one example being last season’s edition, which finished 3-3. It was a controversial and eventful encounter. Roma raced into a 2-0 lead before the break with goals by Daniele De Rossi and John Arne Riise, but in the second half a brace from Mario Balotelli, one of his strikes being a contested penalty, helped Inter stage a notable comeback.

FORM GUIDE

Inter

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)

October 20 v Dynamo Kiev (H) – DREW 2-2 (Champions League)

Roma

November 5 v Fulham (H) – WON 2-1 (Europa League)

November 1 v Bologna (H) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 28 v Udinese (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

October 25 v Livorno (H) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

October 22 v Fulham (A) – DREW 1-1 (Europa League)

TEAM NEWS

Inter

No injury problems for Mourinho, who will most likely field the same starting XI as in the match in Kiev, with Sneijder behind Milito and Samuel Eto’o in attack.

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

Roma

There are some important absences for Roma. Captain Francesco Totti, defender Juan and goalkeeper Doni are all out injured. Rodrigo Taddei is suspended.

Possible formation (4-4-2): Julio Sergio; Cassetti, Mexes, Burdisso, Riise; Guberti, Pizarro, De Rossi, Perrotta; Menez, Vucinic.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Diego Milito (Inter)

Since making his return from injury in last week’s match against Palermo as a sub, he’s already scored three very important goals for Inter, confirming he is their most reliable striker. First the 30-year-old scored the fifth goal in the match against Rosanero, which effectively ended the game as a contest (it finished 5-3), then he opened the scoring in the league win at Livorno. On Wednesday night he scored a vital equaliser against Dynamo.

Mirko Vucinic (Roma)

Last week against he finally got off the mark in Serie A with a goal against Bologna. In the absence of Totti he will be Roma’s biggest threat. Last season the Montenegro striker scored a respectable 11 goals in Serie A, but this time he has started slowly. It could be a long and difficult season for him.

PREDICTION

Inter are strong favourites against a Roma side still searching for their identity.

Inter 3-1 Roma

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

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