Serie A Round 6: Derbi d'Italia (R)

So it is the match we have been waiting for for the past week or so... Our match against Roma proved that we still had what it took to play well, but we just couldn't finish when we needed to in those moments. The pressure was on midweek to produce a result against Bremen and the boys, especially Eto'o proved to us that the squad is still full of quality and will challenge on all fronts this season. This is the greatest attribute of the current Inter squad. Whenever pressure and controversy come into question, the team responds with a positive result.

This is by far the largest game thus far this season, and it will be interesting to see how our defense responds after Lucio was taken off with injury in the Bremen game. With Chivu and Cordoba set to partner each other in the middle, Santon will hopefully make a welcome return to the starting 11. It will be a really good test to see how he feels because he will be facing Milos Krasic, the in-form Juventus winger who has been one of the bright lights for the Old Lady thus far this season.

It was good to see Sneijder back on form mid-week and he will need to continue in this manner if Inter are to continue this good patch and challenge for honors once again. The main worry however is the center forward role in the Inter squad, as Eto'o has showcased his talent whenever he has played up front with Milito or without. With Diego coming under squad rotation and a small thigh problem the past match, it will be interesting to see if Rafa continues with Eto'o up front and keeps Milito on the bench even though he scored twice in the earlier match versus Bari but was somewhat static against Roma.

I wouldn't mind seeing Eto'o keep his place in the starting 11 with Coutinho playing on the left, as I believe the young Brazilian can really pass the ball and work with Sneijder to create chances. Plus with Chivu talking about the lack of tracking back on the left hand side surely it would be better to see Coutinho start on that left hand side instead of Samuel Eto'o.

Stankovic and Camibasso have played well in the holding role thus far this season, largely the past 2 games and I would like to see that partnership continue as they know how to work well in the Serie A. My main question besides who starts in defense is if Pandev will be back on the right for the Derbi. With Julio Cesar carrying a thigh injury I see Castellazzi coming in like he did in the second half against Bremen. He had a couple of good saves and I really like what I have seen thus far from the 2nd keeper.

This would be my starting 11 on Sunday:

-----------------Castellazzi--------------
Maicon-----Cordoba-----Chivu-----Santon
---------Stankovic------Cambiasso-------
Pandev-----------Sneijder--------Coutinho
-------------------Eto'o-----------------

As for Juventus... well they have had a mixed start. Their defense seems unstable even with an abundance of quality in Chiellini and Bonucci, but their offensive production has been really high. Thus they are a team still finding their feet, which is to be expected after how many players came in during the summer transfer window.

The all Italian back line has definite potential but they are still finding the right timing and rhythm as a unit. Chiellini is one of the best center backs in Italy, and Bonucci, coming from a great season at Bari has gone on now to represent Italy at the highest level in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. They are the Italian tandem that will feature heavily over the next couple of years. They are fairly good in the air, but can be exposed on the ground which Etoó could take advantage of. The main worry however is the full backs as De Ceglie, Marco Motta, Rinaudo and Grygera are all solid options but are not up to the standard of Maicon or Chivu. The former two are still fairly young and have featured extensively for the Italian U21's. It will be interesting to see if they can step up a gear for this match.

In the center of midfield I expect to see Felipe Melo and one of Aquilani/Marchisio running the show with latter looking for that killer pass with Melo doing more of the dirty work. However Melo did prove in the World Cup against Holland that he can also find that much needed pass if need be. The main worry offensively for Inter is on the wings as Krasic will be doing his all to get past Santon, or whoever else starts on the left hand side. It will also be interesting to see who starts on the left from a number of options in Pepe and Jorge Martinez, both summer acquisitions. Up front Amauri is most likely out with injury but Iaquinta, Lanzafame and del Piero are all match fit.

This is the starting 11 I expect from Juventus:

-------------------Storari-----------------
Rinaudo-----Bonucci-----Chiellini----Grygera
--------------Melo------------------------
Krasic----------------Aquilani---------Pepe
---------Iaquinta------------del Piero------

The largest offensive threat besides Krasic should probably be the aerial theat of Iaquinta who will look to take advantage of his physicality if Chivu and Cordoba start in the center of defense. This might be one of the reasons why Materazzi might get a starting spot, with Chivu remaining at left back.

This is the largest game we have before the international break, and hopefully we will get a positive result. And lastly, can we have a repeat of the Maicon volley from the same fixture last season?!

FORZA NERAZURRI!!!

Last year's result: Inter 2-0 Juvenuts

 

Highlights from last year's Derbi at the San Siro:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKDrrPfIAXg"]YouTube - INTER-JUVENTUS 2-0 HIGHLIGHTS - GUIDA AL CAMPIONATO 16/04/2010[/ame]

 

Plus I am also curious to see if Zanetti gets back into the squad for this match. Apparently Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, Motta, Julio Cesar, Milito, and Pandev all went through individual sessions today to see their fitness.

From the medical staff, Lucio and Julio Cesar have improved a lot when compared to yesterday's sustained injuries.

http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=34733&L=en

I can honestly say that I am impressed by our squad depth, as even with all those seven players out for Sunday (which are all starters), I would still be pretty confident in an Inter victory.

I thought we didn't have that deep of a squad, but now I am realizing how good it actually is.

 

Squad:

Portieri: 1 Julio Cesar, 12 Luca Castellazzi, 21 Paolo Orlandoni;

Difensori: 2 Ivan Cordoba, 6 Lucio, 13 Maicon, 23 Marco Materazzi, 26 Cristian Chivu, 39 Davide Santon;

Centrocampisti: 5 Dejan Stankovic, 10 Wesley Sneijder, 11 Sulley Muntari, 17 MacDonald Mariga, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 20 Joel Obi, 29 Coutinho, 30 Amantino Mancini;

Attaccanti: 9 Samuel Eto'o, 22 Diego Milito, 88 Jonathan Biabiany.

My guess:

------------------Julio Cesar--------------
Maicon------Cordoba------Lucio------Chivu
----------Stankovic-----Cambiasso--------
-----Mariga-------Sneijder-------Etoó-----
-------------------Milito------------------