Post by Taxigirl on Dec 21, 2005 9:55:25 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0506/int-emp.html
Serie A Week 17 - 21/12/05 (19.30 UK)
Stadio San Siro
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Inter have hit a rich vein of form and will be strong favourites to record their sixth straight win when they meet Empoli at the San Siro. While Mancini's men are going from strength to strength, Mario Somma's Empoli have found wins hard to come by and will not be expecting to get only their second away win of the season against the Nerazzurri.
Pre-season expectation was intense amongst the Inter faithful but the Nerazzurri are only now starting to find some consistency. Week 16's 4-0 demolition of Reggina closed the gap between Inter and Juventus to eight points and, while most critics believe that the Scudetto race is over, Inter are unbeaten in seven and could be a force to be reckoned with if they do lure January reinforcements.
Empoli's fortunate draw with Fiorentina was the Azzurri's first point in five games. Although Somma's side seemed at home in Serie A in early weeks, the Tuscans have struggled recently and have been overly dependent on Francesco Tavano. His nine goals propelled Empoli into comfortable mid-table, but he is now without a goal in three matches and the Serie A newcomers have started to slide.
Roberto Mancini will be without Ivan Cordoba but Pierre Wome is ready to return. Somma has the luxury of a full squad for the daunting trip to the San Siro.
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Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Mihajlovic, Samuel, Favalli; Figo, Cambiasso, Veron, Stankovic; Martins, Adriano
Empoli (probable): Berti; Lucchini, Coda, Pratali, Bonetto; Busce', Almiron, Moro, Vannucchi; Tavano, Rigano'
Serie A Week 17 - 21/12/05 (19.30 UK)
Stadio San Siro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter have hit a rich vein of form and will be strong favourites to record their sixth straight win when they meet Empoli at the San Siro. While Mancini's men are going from strength to strength, Mario Somma's Empoli have found wins hard to come by and will not be expecting to get only their second away win of the season against the Nerazzurri.
Pre-season expectation was intense amongst the Inter faithful but the Nerazzurri are only now starting to find some consistency. Week 16's 4-0 demolition of Reggina closed the gap between Inter and Juventus to eight points and, while most critics believe that the Scudetto race is over, Inter are unbeaten in seven and could be a force to be reckoned with if they do lure January reinforcements.
Empoli's fortunate draw with Fiorentina was the Azzurri's first point in five games. Although Somma's side seemed at home in Serie A in early weeks, the Tuscans have struggled recently and have been overly dependent on Francesco Tavano. His nine goals propelled Empoli into comfortable mid-table, but he is now without a goal in three matches and the Serie A newcomers have started to slide.
Roberto Mancini will be without Ivan Cordoba but Pierre Wome is ready to return. Somma has the luxury of a full squad for the daunting trip to the San Siro.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; J Zanetti, Mihajlovic, Samuel, Favalli; Figo, Cambiasso, Veron, Stankovic; Martins, Adriano
Empoli (probable): Berti; Lucchini, Coda, Pratali, Bonetto; Busce', Almiron, Moro, Vannucchi; Tavano, Rigano'