Cesena host Inter at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on Sunday evening in Serie A as both sides look to end a winless barren spell and ease the pressure on coaches Pierpaolo Bisoli and Walter Mazzarri, respectively.
The Cavallucci Marini lie in 15th position on six points and haven’t recorded a victory in Serie A since they defeated Parma 1-0 on the opening day of the season at the end of August while the Nerazzurri have gone four weeks without a win since beating Atalanta 2-0 in round four in September.
Cesena though are unbeaten at home so far this season, with that victory over Parma been followed by draws over Empoli and AC Milan, though they were a little unlucky to lose last weekend away to Palermo with the Sicilians grabbing a last minute goal to seal the win.
Finding the net has become a concern though for the hosts, having only registered six goals in seven games so far this season, Spainish striker Alejandro Rodriguez is their top scorer with only two goals.
Inter are on a poor run of form themselves currently sitting in ninth position in the Serie A standings and have had real defensive problems of late, conceding nine goals in the last three Serie A games, including a heavy loss at home to Cagliari 4-1 followed by a 3-0 loss away to Fiorentina. The 2-2 draw with Napoli last Sunday but did indicate signs of recovery as the Nerazzurri fought back after going behind twice late in the game.
Cesena and Inter have only meet on four occasions in the past ten years with the San Siro club holding a 100 percent record against there hosts, with slender 3-2 and 2-1 victories in the 2010/2011 season, and similar tight games in 2011/2012 with Inter coming out 1-0 and 2-1 winners.
Cesena head into the game with midfielder Manuel Coppola suspended while defender Stefano Lucchini and midfielder Emmanuel Cascione are expected back after injury.
Inter could stick with the side from the game with Napoli though Gary Medal is a doubt through injury and was expected to be replaced with Yann M’Vila but he himself hobbled off during Inter’s Europa League game with Saint-Etienne on Thursday night and is in a race to be fit for the weekend.
Defenders Danilo D’Ambrosio, Jonathan and striker Pablo Osvaldo remain longer term absentees are not expected back for a few weeks yet with their respective issues.
Expected Starting XIs
Cesena: Leali, Cappelli, Lucchini, Volta, Renzetti, Cascione, Defrel, De Feudis, Brienza, Rodriguez, Marilungo
Inter: Handanovic, Ranocchia, Vidic, Juan Jesus, Obi, Kovacic, M’Vila, Hernanes, Dodo, Palacio, Icardi
