INTER, THIS EVENING YOU'RE GOING TO PLAY EVERYTHING! THE NERAZZURRI NEED TO OVERTURN THE FIRST FIRST DEFEAT (1-0), BUT THIS MARSEILLE IS LESS SCARY. RANIERI ASKS FOR HELP FROM THE FANS: "GIVE US A HAND, IT WILL BE EASIER WITH YOU".
"Some nights you're awake or you'll never be awake" sang an Inter fan like Luciano Ligabue. Well, this is one of those nights where much more is decided than the result of a match. Why Inter-Marseille will be decisive in understanding the future of a team that, until today, has deeply disappointed critics and fans, but that all in all there is still time to shuffle the cards. Of course, tonight's match will be decisive only in the event of elimination from the Champions League, vice versa there will still be many exams and certainly more difficult to pass, but this shouldn't be a source of further pressure.
Analyzing the opponent from a rational point of view, the nerazzurri won't need sensational feats to get through the round: Marseille are going through a bad moment, made up of 4 consecutive defeats between the championship and the league cup, so much so that in France they take Deschamps' exemption for granted in case of elimination. Not that Inter are in much better shape, but if nothing else, the victory in Verona has boosted morale, a fundamental component in trying to turn around Marseille. “It's not easy to always lose whatever you do on the pitch for a whole month – said Ranieri in the press conference – The boys have always given everything, even if they don't pick up much, but being determined has allowed us to win in Verona. Only in this way can we find the light at the end of the tunnel”.
The Nerazzurri coach was honest and serene as always, who, speaking of the opponent, didn't hide behind the usual cliches: "Actually, the situation seems to have reversed compared to the first leg when we hadn't won for a long time and they instead succeeded consistently . Now they are in crisis and we have started racing again". In short, Alessandro Manzoni would say that "this enterprise has to be done", vice versa we would be faced with a disappointment of gigantic dimensions. “OM is very good at restarts and away games – continued Ranieri – We know everything about them, their strengths and weaknesses. The important thing will be not to concede a goal, but putting constant pressure on their defence. It will take salt in the pumpkin…”.
Yes, because the first leg result (1-0, goal by Ayew in the 93rd minute) is very insidious: in the event of a goal from Marseille, in fact, Inter would have to score three. While waiting to resolve the last training dilemmas (above all Forlan-Pazzini, with the first favourite), Ranieri pampered Sneijder ("In Verona I saw the player I know, who I would always like to see and who can change the face of any team, not just ours") and asked for help from the Nerazzurri, who will flock tonight in large numbers (about 60 tickets sold, the club aims to reach 70) to support the Beneamata: "It will be a tough match which will also have an impact on San Siro I expect full and that he will be able to give us a big hand. I ask the fans to help us, they will be important. With them behind us everything will be easier and more beautiful”. Despite the disappointment with the results obtained so far, the public has already responded positively to Ranieri's appeal. Because some nights are worth too much to stay home.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Inter Milan (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Poli, Stankovic, Cambiasso; Sneijder; Milito, Forlan.
Trainer: Claudio Ranieri.
On the bench: Castellazzi, Nagatomo, Frog, Palombo, Obi, Pazzini, Zarate.
Unavailable: Alvarez.
Disqualified: Chivu.
Beware: Zarate.
Marseille (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Diawara, N'koulou, Morel; Diarra, Mbia; Amalfitano, Valbuena, A. Ayew; Remy.
Trainer: Didier Deschamps.
On the bench: Bracigliano, Traorè, Fanni, Kaborè, Cheyrou, Brandao, J. Ayew.
Unavailable: nobody.
Disqualified: nobody.
Beware: Morel, Diawara, Diarra, Amalfitano, A. Ayew.
Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal). Line Assistants: Miranda Santos. Port Assistants: De Sousa-Gomes. Fourth official: Chapel.
