nter have proved they never give up, but so have Cesena in their own battle to avoid relegation, so anything could happen at the Stadio Manuzzi.
The Nerazzurri lost sight of the Scudetto this month with defeats to Milan and Parma, falling eight points behind the leaders. Nonetheless, there is still something to fight for, as during the Easter weekend they went from struggling to keep hold of third to leapfrogging Napoli into second place. That was thanks to their remarkable 2-1 win over Lazio, fighting back from a goal down with 10 men.
Julio Cesar was sent off in that match and therefore sits out a ban, while Dejan Stankovic’s season is probably over after pulling up with a second degree thigh strain in the same game. Thiago Motta is another injury doubt with Ivan Cordoba out of action, though Walter Samuel is edging closer to his comeback from knee surgery at the start of the season.
In recent weeks Leonardo has reshuffled his pack, but Giampaolo Pazzini should return to the starting XI in place of Diego Milito. Houssine Kharja looks ready to step in to Stankovic’s midfield role.
Cesena are no slouches either when it comes to a fighting spirit. The Sea Horses are in their first Serie A season since 1991 and don’t want it to end just yet. They fought back to hold Juventus, Fiorentina and Palermo 2-2, then enjoyed back-to-back wins over Bari and Bologna with clean sheets.
Massimo Ficcadenti had seemed set for the axe after a 3-0 home defeat to Udinese, but he has turned their season around in recent weeks. They have lost just one of their last nine games, picking up 16 points.
It’s easy to say this is probably not the match where Cesena expect to pick up many points, but ahead of clashes with Cagliari, Brescia and Genoa, a good result would be a huge boost and is not at all out of the question.
Inter’s motivation is slipping with Milan needing only four points to secure the Scudetto and Lazio now fairly safely left behind in fourth. The Cavallucci Marini have their home crowd cheering them on and are only two points clear of the relegation zone.
Midfield rock Giuseppe Colucci is suspended, joining the injured Ivan Fatic, Dias Felipe and Erjon Bogdani in the stands. Striker Bogdani is a big loss after he sprained his ankle during training this week and should be replaced by Dominique Malonga. There are a few different options to take Colucci’s role, including Fabio Caserta, Marco Parolo and even Nicolas Martin Gorobsov.
It’s a special game for Luis Jimenez, who had a brief spell at Inter and left in pretty bitter circumstances. Veteran Luca Ceccarelli also seems to be the favourite to start rather than Nerazzurri-owned Davide Santon at right-back.
This is the game that opens up the weekend and the result could change the whole shape of the round. If Inter fail to win at the Manuzzi, then Milan will know a victory over Bologna on Sunday practically secures the Scudetto.
Keep an eye on: Luca Castellazzi (Inter) – The veteran goalkeeper was called in during the Lazio game after Julio Cesar’s red card and gave a great account of himself despite an injury. He is now fully recovered and could well be under pressure against a determined Cesena side. Those are big gloves to fill.
Last five in Serie A: Cesena (L D D W W) Inter (W L W L W)
Last season: Not played
Top tip: There could be an upset here. Don’t forget when these sides met earlier this season Inter scraped a 3-2 win at San Siro with Cristian Chivu, having fumbled a 2-0 lead. Cesena are unbeaten on home turf in four games, while the Nerazzurri’s last away victory was on February 27.
Stat fact: Cesena have never beaten Inter at the Stadio Manuzzi, managing only four draws from 10 encounters. Having said that, the last meeting here was in December 1990, ending 5-1 for the visitors.
Cesena (probable): Antonioli; Ceccarelli, Pellegrino, Von Bergen, Lauro; Sammarco, Caserta, Parolo; Jimenez, Malonga, Giaccherini
Inter (probable): Castellazzi; Maicon, Ranocchia, Lucio, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Kharja; Sneijder; Pazzini, Eto’o
Ref: Valeri
The Nerazzurri lost sight of the Scudetto this month with defeats to Milan and Parma, falling eight points behind the leaders. Nonetheless, there is still something to fight for, as during the Easter weekend they went from struggling to keep hold of third to leapfrogging Napoli into second place. That was thanks to their remarkable 2-1 win over Lazio, fighting back from a goal down with 10 men.
Julio Cesar was sent off in that match and therefore sits out a ban, while Dejan Stankovic’s season is probably over after pulling up with a second degree thigh strain in the same game. Thiago Motta is another injury doubt with Ivan Cordoba out of action, though Walter Samuel is edging closer to his comeback from knee surgery at the start of the season.
In recent weeks Leonardo has reshuffled his pack, but Giampaolo Pazzini should return to the starting XI in place of Diego Milito. Houssine Kharja looks ready to step in to Stankovic’s midfield role.
Cesena are no slouches either when it comes to a fighting spirit. The Sea Horses are in their first Serie A season since 1991 and don’t want it to end just yet. They fought back to hold Juventus, Fiorentina and Palermo 2-2, then enjoyed back-to-back wins over Bari and Bologna with clean sheets.
Massimo Ficcadenti had seemed set for the axe after a 3-0 home defeat to Udinese, but he has turned their season around in recent weeks. They have lost just one of their last nine games, picking up 16 points.
It’s easy to say this is probably not the match where Cesena expect to pick up many points, but ahead of clashes with Cagliari, Brescia and Genoa, a good result would be a huge boost and is not at all out of the question.
Inter’s motivation is slipping with Milan needing only four points to secure the Scudetto and Lazio now fairly safely left behind in fourth. The Cavallucci Marini have their home crowd cheering them on and are only two points clear of the relegation zone.
Midfield rock Giuseppe Colucci is suspended, joining the injured Ivan Fatic, Dias Felipe and Erjon Bogdani in the stands. Striker Bogdani is a big loss after he sprained his ankle during training this week and should be replaced by Dominique Malonga. There are a few different options to take Colucci’s role, including Fabio Caserta, Marco Parolo and even Nicolas Martin Gorobsov.
It’s a special game for Luis Jimenez, who had a brief spell at Inter and left in pretty bitter circumstances. Veteran Luca Ceccarelli also seems to be the favourite to start rather than Nerazzurri-owned Davide Santon at right-back.
This is the game that opens up the weekend and the result could change the whole shape of the round. If Inter fail to win at the Manuzzi, then Milan will know a victory over Bologna on Sunday practically secures the Scudetto.
Keep an eye on: Luca Castellazzi (Inter) – The veteran goalkeeper was called in during the Lazio game after Julio Cesar’s red card and gave a great account of himself despite an injury. He is now fully recovered and could well be under pressure against a determined Cesena side. Those are big gloves to fill.
Last five in Serie A: Cesena (L D D W W) Inter (W L W L W)
Last season: Not played
Top tip: There could be an upset here. Don’t forget when these sides met earlier this season Inter scraped a 3-2 win at San Siro with Cristian Chivu, having fumbled a 2-0 lead. Cesena are unbeaten on home turf in four games, while the Nerazzurri’s last away victory was on February 27.
Stat fact: Cesena have never beaten Inter at the Stadio Manuzzi, managing only four draws from 10 encounters. Having said that, the last meeting here was in December 1990, ending 5-1 for the visitors.
Cesena (probable): Antonioli; Ceccarelli, Pellegrino, Von Bergen, Lauro; Sammarco, Caserta, Parolo; Jimenez, Malonga, Giaccherini
Inter (probable): Castellazzi; Maicon, Ranocchia, Lucio, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Kharja; Sneijder; Pazzini, Eto’o
Ref: Valeri
