192 days. This is how long the honeymoon between Inter and Antonio Cassano lasted (at least officially). Then, last Friday, at the end of an apparently normal training session, war broke out. Protagonists Fantantonio and Stramaccioni, who according to the chronicles of Appiano had a rather heavy argument, which didn't lead to something worse only thanks to the intervention of Stankovic and Cordoba. The reasons? Still unknown, but everything suggests the classic exchange of views after training. It is common knowledge that Cassano is not a workaholic, and it is probable that Strama was not satisfied with his commitment. However, reducing everything to a trivial discussion would be wrong: something big happened in Appiano, which even jeopardizes Fantantonio's future stay on the Nerazzurri side of the Naviglio. As proof of this, Stramaccioni has decided not to call him up for the very delicate away game in Catania, despite the almost total emergency in attack.
“It's not a suspension, it's just my decision – the Inter coach tried to tone down. – What happened could happen in a Serie A dressing room. The things that have been reported are not true: there was no physical contact, just an argument, like there have been others in the past. On Monday Cassano will return to training and, if nothing happens, on Thursday he will be among the squad for London”. But important developments are expected between now and the match against Tottenham, especially on the presidential front. Yesterday "only" Branca and Ausilio met in Appiano, but in the next few hours Massimo Moratti himself could take the chair and fine the player rather steeply. Because what happened is very serious, it also demonstrates the existence of macro drafts in the locker room, certainly not a sign of unity and attachment to the shirt. “Whoever let the news out of the locker room doesn't love us, because some things have to stay in the locker room. It bothers me that it was brought out, whoever did it doesn't love Inter, because the locker room is sacred. Let me be clear, I don't hold it against journalists who have done their job. Had it happened outdoors I would have understood, but since we were inside the locker room…”.
In this incandescent climate, Stramaccioni and Inter play a lot, not to say everything, in the race for the next Champions League, also in light of the success of Milan, which looks down on the Nerazzurri from its 4-point lead.
Today's match is one of the tough ones, a real direct match in Sicily, on a field where only Juventus and Milan have managed to pass, aided by obvious refereeing errors. “Catania has shown its value, especially at home, confirming and managing to improve what it already did great last season – admitted Stramaccioni. – Maran and the players have done an incredible job. To all intents and purposes it will be a direct match, they have two points less than us, at home they beat Lazio, Fiorentina and Roma, they drew with Napoli. Historically it's a difficult pitch for Inter but mentally we're ready, thanks to the long week we haven't had for a long time”. The plans were, however, messed up by the umpteenth Cassanata, which requires a change of module, as well as the recourse to the desaparecido Rocchi. “It's unthinkable to play every three days with only two forwards available – admitted the coach. – It is probable that from now on we will often play with only one centre-forward”. It will start today, when Strama will rely on the 4-3-3 with Tommaso Rocchi as the only forward assisted by Schelotto and Alvarez. After the unconvincing derby experiment, Guarin will return to the center with Kuzmanovic and Gargano, with Cambiasso and Kovacic out due to a technical choice.
POSSIBLE FORMATIONS
Catania (4-2-3-1): Andujar; Alvarez, Rolin, Spolli, Marquis; Biagianti, Lodi; Izco, Gomez, Castro; Bergessio.
On the bench: Frison, Terracciano, Augustyn, Potenza, Sciacca, Almiron, Keko, Cani, Salifu, Ricchiuti, Doukara.
Trainer: Rolando Maran.
Unavailable: Capuano, Barrientos.
Disqualified: Legrottaglie (2), Bellusci (1).
Beware: Barrientos.
Inter Milan (4-3-3): Handanovic; Zanetti, Juan Jesus, Chivu, Pereira; Kuzmanovic, Gargano, Guarin; Schelotto, Rocchi, Alvarez.
On the bench: Carrizo, Di Gennaro, Jonathan, Kovacic, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Pasa, Benassi, Terrani, Palacio.
Trainer: Andrea Stramaccioni.
Unavailable: Castellazzi, Silvestre, Samuel, Nagatomo, Obi, Mudingayi, Milito.
Disqualified: Frog (1).
Beware: Handanovic, Juan Jesus, Cambiasso, Palacio.
Referee: Mauro Bergonzi (Genoa).
Line Assistants: Empty – Costanzo.
Port Assistants: Dobosz – Guide.
Fourth official: Thomas.
