Torino v Inter – Preview: Europa League duo open the season at the Olimpico

Date: 29th August 2014 at 11:12pm
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Torino will begin their third consecutive season in Serie A by welcoming Inter to the Olimpico at 20:45 CET on Sunday evening in a battle of two of Italy’s Europe League representatives this campaign.

Last season saw the Granata and the Nerazzurri play out to a spectacular 3-3 draw in October, while Inter managed to squeeze out a  1-0 victory in the return fixture five months later, giving Mazzarri the slight advantage in the lead up to Sunday’s fixture.

Still, the hosts are in a position that they did not think would come to pass–participating in European football for the first time in 20 seasons. And while their entry into the Europa League was due to Parma’s exclusion, Giampiero Ventura’s troops have made it clear that they intend to make their run in the competition last as long as possible after hammering Swedish outfit Brommapojkarna 7-0 during the third qualifying rounds, and successfully overcoming RNK Split to earn their spot in the group stages.

Meanwhile Inter cruised to a 3-0 win over Stjarnan last week and after finishing the job at home thanks to a 6-0 victory, can look forward to their opening Serie A fixture having booked their spot in the group stage.

The Nerazzurri have been the busier of the two sides over the summer after bringing in several new faces as they look to continue rebuilding with the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Daniel Osvaldo, Gary Medel, Yann M’Vila and Dodo have all being brought on board.

On the other side, despite the departure of top marksman Ciro Immobile, Torino have brought in experienced attacker Fabio Quagliarella and AC Milan’s Antonio Nocerino. However the future of Immobile’s partner in crime last season, Alessio Cerci, still remains in doubt.

In terms of available personnel, neither coach may opt to tinker too much with their starting XI’ss for the upcoming game following their respective success in the Europa League.

Mazzarri has a full squad at his disposal with the exception of Rodrigo Palacio who is out with an ankle injury.

On the other end Ventura will have to do without several players including Alexander Farnerud, Marcelo Larrondo, Ruben Perez and Migjen Basha. Giuseppe Vives is also out through suspension.

Expected Starting XIs

Torino – Padelli; Moretti, Gilk, Maksimovic; Darmian, Nocerino, Benaassi, Molinaro; El Kaddouri; Quagliarella, Cerci

Inter – Handanovic; Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Vidic; Nagatomo, Kovacic, M’Vila, Hernanes, Dodo; Osvaldo, Icardi

 

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