Post by Inter It on Oct 5, 2003 12:02:14 GMT
Hector Cuper has set superstition aside and given his prediction on tonight’s Milan derby.
“I always feel as if my teams are the favourites,” assured the Inter Coach. “It will end 2-0 to the home side.”
The Nerazzurri are nominally the home team although they share the San Siro with their rivals, but they have not won their last seven ties as the local side.
“I remember what I felt in the last few derby games, but this is a new season and a new Inter. Only the present day counts in football, not memories.”
The San Siro showdown is of particular importance at this stage of the season, as Inter are already two points adrift of the joint leaders – including Milan – but above all it is a question of honour.
“This is a very special game indeed, for myself and for the people of this city,” continued Cuper. “But we must relax and not let the pressure get to us.”
“I understand that the derby must always be won for the fans, but this remains a football match and so we have to give 100 per cent this week and every Sunday after that.”
There is a distinct desire for revenge among the Inter camp following their exit in the Champions’ League semi-final on away goals.
“It is true that was a difficult night, but we must not allow negative feelings to creep in. We need only a positive charge to get us going.”
There could be some tactical changes in order to welcome back Christian Vieri, but Luciano, Marco Materazzi and Sabri Lamouchi are out of action.
“Mohamed Kallon can come back and cover well in midfield,” explained the Coach, “Julio Cruz does the same work and is stronger in the box as well, while Obafemi Martins needs to play either alongside Vieri or ahead of him.”
Early indications suggest Kallon will be Vieri’s partner, while ex-Milan man Thomas Helveg takes the defensive role so that Javier Zanetti can push up into central midfield.
Inter - Milan
Live on British Eurosport (7pm UK time)
All eyes are on the San Siro this Sunday for what is set to be a showdown of Scudetto contenders and opposing views of the sport.
Milan are on fine form right now and fielded an all-attack minded line-up for the 3-0 demolition of Lecce last week. Marcos Cafu and Serginho were used as fullbacks behind Andrea Pirlo, Manuel Rui Costa, Kaka’, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Andriy Shevchenko.
Now that Rivaldo and Pippo Inzaghi are again available for selection, Carlo Ancelotti certainly has the talent at his disposal to put on a show. However, injury worries still cause problems in defence, as Dario Simic steps in for the still not 100 per cent fit Kakha Kaladze, Alessandro Costacurta and Giuseppe Pancaro. Serginho at left-back may be considered too much of a risk for this high-profile encounter.
Inter can welcome Christian Vieri back to the fold and he has certainly been missed. Since the hitman’s ankle injury on international duty the team has scored just once in Serie A, and that was an own goal from Siena defender Leandro Cufre’.
Hector Cuper had pledged entertaining football this season, but so far it has only emerged in the Champions’ League, so the pressure is mounting on him to provide a spectacle as well as results. Curiously, so far there have been only two goalless draws this season and both involved Inter – against Sampdoria and Udinese.
There are changes forced in defence, as Marco Materazzi will be out for three weeks with a thigh strain. Ivan Cordoba, who claims he has always been "a central defender playing as a right-back", is restored to his natural position and makes way for Jeremie Brechet.
Andy Van der Meyde and Kily Gonzalez also return to the flanks after minor fitness quibbles, but there is still no sign of the elusive Alvaro Recoba. Vieri’s comeback also raises other issues, as Cuper could opt for the explosive pace of Obafemi Martins or prefer the power and work rate of Julio Cruz.
This is always a bitter and fiercely contested tie, and often one where the underdog wins out, but the timing makes it crucial for the Scudetto race. Just four games into the campaign Cuper’s side is already two points adrift of the leading pack, which includes Milan. Another setback here would see them slide further down the standings, but a win would boost morale and push Inter into the heart of the action.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter (probable): Toldo; J Zanetti, Cannavaro, Cordoba, Brechet; Van der Meyde, C Zanetti, Emre, Kily Gonzalez; Vieri, Martins
Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Simic; Gattuso, Pirlo, Kaka’, Rui Costa; Shevchenko, Inzaghi
;D ;D ;D ;D
“I always feel as if my teams are the favourites,” assured the Inter Coach. “It will end 2-0 to the home side.”
The Nerazzurri are nominally the home team although they share the San Siro with their rivals, but they have not won their last seven ties as the local side.
“I remember what I felt in the last few derby games, but this is a new season and a new Inter. Only the present day counts in football, not memories.”
The San Siro showdown is of particular importance at this stage of the season, as Inter are already two points adrift of the joint leaders – including Milan – but above all it is a question of honour.
“This is a very special game indeed, for myself and for the people of this city,” continued Cuper. “But we must relax and not let the pressure get to us.”
“I understand that the derby must always be won for the fans, but this remains a football match and so we have to give 100 per cent this week and every Sunday after that.”
There is a distinct desire for revenge among the Inter camp following their exit in the Champions’ League semi-final on away goals.
“It is true that was a difficult night, but we must not allow negative feelings to creep in. We need only a positive charge to get us going.”
There could be some tactical changes in order to welcome back Christian Vieri, but Luciano, Marco Materazzi and Sabri Lamouchi are out of action.
“Mohamed Kallon can come back and cover well in midfield,” explained the Coach, “Julio Cruz does the same work and is stronger in the box as well, while Obafemi Martins needs to play either alongside Vieri or ahead of him.”
Early indications suggest Kallon will be Vieri’s partner, while ex-Milan man Thomas Helveg takes the defensive role so that Javier Zanetti can push up into central midfield.
Inter - Milan
Live on British Eurosport (7pm UK time)
All eyes are on the San Siro this Sunday for what is set to be a showdown of Scudetto contenders and opposing views of the sport.
Milan are on fine form right now and fielded an all-attack minded line-up for the 3-0 demolition of Lecce last week. Marcos Cafu and Serginho were used as fullbacks behind Andrea Pirlo, Manuel Rui Costa, Kaka’, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Andriy Shevchenko.
Now that Rivaldo and Pippo Inzaghi are again available for selection, Carlo Ancelotti certainly has the talent at his disposal to put on a show. However, injury worries still cause problems in defence, as Dario Simic steps in for the still not 100 per cent fit Kakha Kaladze, Alessandro Costacurta and Giuseppe Pancaro. Serginho at left-back may be considered too much of a risk for this high-profile encounter.
Inter can welcome Christian Vieri back to the fold and he has certainly been missed. Since the hitman’s ankle injury on international duty the team has scored just once in Serie A, and that was an own goal from Siena defender Leandro Cufre’.
Hector Cuper had pledged entertaining football this season, but so far it has only emerged in the Champions’ League, so the pressure is mounting on him to provide a spectacle as well as results. Curiously, so far there have been only two goalless draws this season and both involved Inter – against Sampdoria and Udinese.
There are changes forced in defence, as Marco Materazzi will be out for three weeks with a thigh strain. Ivan Cordoba, who claims he has always been "a central defender playing as a right-back", is restored to his natural position and makes way for Jeremie Brechet.
Andy Van der Meyde and Kily Gonzalez also return to the flanks after minor fitness quibbles, but there is still no sign of the elusive Alvaro Recoba. Vieri’s comeback also raises other issues, as Cuper could opt for the explosive pace of Obafemi Martins or prefer the power and work rate of Julio Cruz.
This is always a bitter and fiercely contested tie, and often one where the underdog wins out, but the timing makes it crucial for the Scudetto race. Just four games into the campaign Cuper’s side is already two points adrift of the leading pack, which includes Milan. Another setback here would see them slide further down the standings, but a win would boost morale and push Inter into the heart of the action.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter (probable): Toldo; J Zanetti, Cannavaro, Cordoba, Brechet; Van der Meyde, C Zanetti, Emre, Kily Gonzalez; Vieri, Martins
Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Simic; Gattuso, Pirlo, Kaka’, Rui Costa; Shevchenko, Inzaghi
;D ;D ;D ;D