Inter v Cagliari: Zemanlandia in its final furlong

Date: 26th September 2014 at 8:02am
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Zdenek Zeman will take his Cagliari side to the Stadio Meazza to face Inter on Sunday afternoon as they search for their first victory of the new Serie A campaign.

The Sardinians have really struggled so far this season under the veteran Czech coach and are currently bottom of the pile having only taken a point from their opening four rounds of fixtures.

Looking at recent encounters between these two sides, the Rossoblu can perhaps take some hope going into this tie. They drew 1-1, both home and away, with Inter last season. Indeed four of the last five encounters between these two teams have ended in a stalemate.

Given Cagliari’s form so far this season you get the feeling that Zeman would quite happily take a point on Sunday. After drawing 1-1 with fellow relegation candidates Sassuolo on the opening day, the Rossoblu have subsequently lost to Atalanta, Roma and Torino. Those results mean that new club owner Tommaso Giulini’s wisdom in hiring Zeman is already being brought into question.

The situation at hosts Inter is far brighter. After last season’s disappointing fifth place finish, Walter Mazzarri’s men have begun the new campaign strongly. Unbeaten after two wins and two draws, the Nerazzurri sit third in the Serie A table having scored 10 goals already this term, whilst conceding only one.

Neither side has any suspensions they both have injury worries to contend with. Sebastian Eriksson is a long term absentee for Cagliari having snapped his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the month while first choice keeper Simone Colombi remains doubtful. As a result youngster Alessio Cragno is likely to keep his place in goal.

Meanwhile, with Rodrigo Palacio still struggling for full fitness after his own injury lay off, Mazzarri problems lie at the other end of the pitch. The home side have not been helped by Mauro Icardi’s current condition.

The Argentine is Inter’s top scorer this season with three, but he was forced to come off injured in their last match against Atalanta. It is not yet known whether he will be fit for Sunday’s fixture. As a result Mazzarri may turn to Freddy Guarin to partner Pablo Osvaldo up front.

Expected Starting XIs

Inter – Handanovic; Juan Jesus, Vidic, Ranocchia; Dodo, Hernanes, Medel, Kovacic, Jonathan; Guarin; Osvaldo

Cagliari – Cragno; Avelar, Rossetini, Ceppitelli, Pisano; Ekdal, Conti, Joao Pedro; Cossu, Sau, Ibarbo

 

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