There is only one imperative: beat Cagliari to attack Juve. The reasons deriving from the defeat in Bergamo were not enough, yesterday the missteps of Juventus and Napoli arrived, which allow the Nerazzurri to dream big. A victory at San Siro this afternoon (15pm) would launch Inter just two points behind the leaders. Not bad, but woe to underestimate today's opponent. “Cagliari play well, have a historic group as their backbone and are very fast up front – said Stramaccioni. – For us, however, this is a key match, we need to win immediately”. Inter's hunt for leaders Juventus therefore starts again with the match against the Sardinians, who this afternoon (15 pm) will try to spoil the mood at the Nerazzurri San Siro. Stramaccioni defined it as a key match, partly to keep the tension high, partly because a new misstep after the one in Bergamo would actually create problems. “After Bergamo we don't need a mental restart, we didn't come out downsized, but we were punished by mistakes and episodes – however the Inter coach pointed out. – We didn't deserve to lose and we showed personality. I hope to leave immediately: this week I've talked a lot with my players, it's what we all want to do." The climate around Appiano Gentile is good, despite the problems deriving from an always full infirmary. Compared to Bergamo, Samuel and Ranocchia are available again, but Guarin stopped and now, thanks to Mudingayi's stoppage, the emergency has moved from defense to midfield. “We reached the peak of unavailable last week – said Stramaccioni. – This time we have more certainties”. Coutinho and Mariga (in their first call-up of the season) are also on the squad list, but not Sneijder, who will still remain in the pits. "Wesley is better, but I preferred not to bring him" explained the coach, who should in any case embrace the Dutchman again next week, in the match against Parma. After the change of form in Bergamo, Inter will return to line up with the 3-4-3, with the confirmation of the super trident Cassano-Milito-Palacio.
Despite the efforts to think about Cagliari, the attention has slipped again on the rival of all time, that Juventus with which the barbs are now the order of the day. After the bickering between Cassano and Conte, yesterday it was Strama's turn to speak about him: “Antonio doesn't need help because he has already responded in his way. The others can say what they want, we go our own way. However, it seems to me that after our victory in Turin, there has been a bit too much talk about Inter…”.
The word passes to the field, waiting for the next controversy.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Inter (3-4-3): Handanovic; Ranocchia, Silvestre, Juan Jesus; Zanetti, Gargano, Cambiasso, Nagatomo; Palacio, Milito, Cassano.
On the bench: Castellazzi, Belec, Jonathan, Samuel, Mbaye, Romanò, Mariga, Pereira, Duncan, R. Alvarez, Coutinho.
Coach: Andrea Stramaccioni.
Out: Obi, Sneijder, Chivu, Stankovic, Mudingayi, Guarin.
Disqualified: none.
Cagliari (4-3-1-2): Agazzi; Pisano, Rossettini, Astori, Avelar; Dessena, Conti, Nainggolan; Cossu; Pinilla, Sau.
On the bench: Avramov, Perico, Ariaudo, Ekdal, Thiago Ribeiro, Ibarbo, Nenè.
Coach: Ivo Pulga – Diego Lopez.
Unavailable: none.
Disqualified: none.
Referee: Piero Giacomelli (Trieste).
Line assistants: Marrazzo – Viazzi.
Goalkeeper assistants: Celi – Palazzino.
Fourth man: Meli.
