Coppa Italia Preview: Inter – Fiorentina

Inter’s football hasn’t always been impressive but they have certainly been the strongest side in the Italian top flight this season. At the moment the Nerazzurri are eight points clear at the top in spite of having their Serie A game against Parma get postponed at the weekend.

On Wednesday night Jose Mourinho’s side take on Fiorentina in the first leg of their semi-final tie in the Coppa Italia. Inter would be looking to garner a healthy lead at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza so that they finish the tie in Milan.

Inter are on a great run of form at the moment as they defeated Milan 2-0 in the Derby della Madonnina and also beat Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia in their last two games. A win for the Italian champions on Wednesday night wouldn’t be unexpected.

Slump In Form

Fiorentina had a reasonably great first half this campaign but since the start of the New Year the Viola have been under-performing. At the moment the Florence-based side are 11th in the table with 31 points from 21 games.

However, Cesare Prandelli’s side have been going quite strong in the Coppa Italia and defeated Lazio 3-2 at home in the quarter-finals to reach the semis. In spite of that win being overshadowed by their striker Adrian Mutu twice testing positive for anti-obesity drug sibutramine, Fiorentina would be pleased with their Cup run and would be looking to get at least a draw with Inter in Milan on Wednesday night.

FORM GUIDE

Inter

January 28 v Juventus (H) – WON 2-1 (Coppa Italia)

January 24 v Milan (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

January 16 v Bari (A) – DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

January 9 v Siena (H) – WON 4-3 (Serie A)

January 6 v Chievo (A) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

Fiorentina

January 31 v Cagliari (A) – DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

January 24 v Palermo (A) – LOST 3-0 (Serie A)

January 20 v Lazio (H) – WON 3-2 (Coppa Italia)

January 17 v Bologna (H) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

January 14 v Chievo (H) – WON 3-2 (Coppa Italia)

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Cristian Chivu, Dejan Stankovic and Samuel Eto’o are unavailable but the rest are fit to feature on Wednesday night. Jose Mourinho is expected to field a strong first xi and is likely to start Milito and Pandev as the two strikers upfront. Winter signing MacDonald Mariga has also been selected for the match.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari; Sneijder; Milito, Pandev

Fiorentina

Cristiano Zanetti, Per Kroldrup and Adrian Mutu are unavailable for the trip to Milan while Manuel Pasqual, Riccardo Montolivo and Massimo Gobbi are struggling with injuries. Stevan Jovetic is likely to play as the main attacking midfielder with Alberto Gilardino as the lone striker upfront.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Frey, Comotto, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual; Montolivo, Donadel; Marchionni, Jovetic, Vargas; Gilardino

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Goran Pandev (Inter)

The Macedonian international has been sensational for Inter since he was signed on a free transfer earlier this month. Pandev scored a wonderful free-kick goal against Milan in the derby. At the moment the former Lazio striker has two goals and one assist in four starts in Serie A and he would be eager to start scoring in the Coppa Italia too for Inter.

Juan Manuel Vargas (Fiorentina)

Juan Manuel Vargas would be a key player for Fiorentina against Inter. His form has dipped slightly in the last fortnight or so but the Peruvian international has been sensational for the Viola in the Coppa Italia. Vargas would be looking forward to creating chances for Gilardino from the left-wing.

[Goal.com]