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Inter Still Stumbling Along
Although results-wise, Inter’s start to the season has been good, the only time they’ve truly looked convincing as a team was in their 4-0 win over city rivals Milan in the derby. After the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it was expected the side would improve as a collective unit, but that hasn’t really happened yet, as now they are mostly relying on individual moments from either Diego Milito or Samuel Eto’o to win games.
A perfect example was last weekend’s match at Cagliari. The home side took a deserved lead in the first half with a penalty by Jeda and had some chances to double their lead before the break. However, two cold-blooded finishes within five minutes early in the second half by Milito saw Inter turn the match on its head. In the remainder of the game, Cagliari continued to create chances, but Jose Mourinho’s side held firm to earn three crucial points.
Of course, many new players have arrived at the Pinetina this summer, contrary to the last few years when the team was left largely unchanged. So it could be some time before we will see the kind of free-flowing football Inter showed against Milan on a regular basis. However, it is good news that the team still has that mental strength and defensive solidity which distinguished them in their successful recent seasons. Winning matches without playing well like they did at Cagliari is absolutely crucial in a league, although it usually doesn’t pay in the Champions League.
Against Napoli, a team who haven’t started the season well at all, Inter could have a chance to reach the top of the table, as current table leaders Juventus and Sampdoria face tricky away games against Genoa and Fiorentina respectively. However, they’ll first have to deal with a team which, especially on their own ground, has often caused Inter problems in recent years.
Unconvincing Start By Napoli
It seems Roberto Donadoni’s Napoli are continuing where they left off at the end of last season, which is definitely not a good thing. After a strong performance in the opening match at Palermo, which they lost very unluckily, the Partenopei registered a routine win at home against Livorno, but were then thrashed 4-1 at Genoa and held to a drab goalless draw at home by Udinese last weekend.
Last season Napoli started off very well, reaching the fourth place at one point, but performed worse than a relegation-threatened side in the second half of the season, which eventually led to coach Edy Reja getting sacked. Former Italy coach Donadoni was then appointed, and although results only improved slightly, he was allowed to stay on.
Once again the Napoli faithfull's expectations were raised high, but the early signs aren’t positive. On the other hand, the team has an impressive strike force, which was recently strengthened with the signing of Italian international Fabio Quagliarella from Udinese. The pairing of Quagliarella and Ezequiel Lavezzi has yet to fully realise its potential, but once their understanding improves, the goals will likely start coming thick and fast.
After a disappointing couple of results, Napoli travel to San Siro to face Inter, hoping to invert the recent trend against the Nerazzurri at San Siro. Interestingly, results of fixtures between Inter and Napoli in the last two seasons have been identical. At home, Inter prevailed 2-1 on both occasions, while at the San Paolo Napoli won 1-0 both in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.
Although results-wise, Inter’s start to the season has been good, the only time they’ve truly looked convincing as a team was in their 4-0 win over city rivals Milan in the derby. After the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it was expected the side would improve as a collective unit, but that hasn’t really happened yet, as now they are mostly relying on individual moments from either Diego Milito or Samuel Eto’o to win games.
A perfect example was last weekend’s match at Cagliari. The home side took a deserved lead in the first half with a penalty by Jeda and had some chances to double their lead before the break. However, two cold-blooded finishes within five minutes early in the second half by Milito saw Inter turn the match on its head. In the remainder of the game, Cagliari continued to create chances, but Jose Mourinho’s side held firm to earn three crucial points.
Of course, many new players have arrived at the Pinetina this summer, contrary to the last few years when the team was left largely unchanged. So it could be some time before we will see the kind of free-flowing football Inter showed against Milan on a regular basis. However, it is good news that the team still has that mental strength and defensive solidity which distinguished them in their successful recent seasons. Winning matches without playing well like they did at Cagliari is absolutely crucial in a league, although it usually doesn’t pay in the Champions League.
Against Napoli, a team who haven’t started the season well at all, Inter could have a chance to reach the top of the table, as current table leaders Juventus and Sampdoria face tricky away games against Genoa and Fiorentina respectively. However, they’ll first have to deal with a team which, especially on their own ground, has often caused Inter problems in recent years.
Unconvincing Start By Napoli
It seems Roberto Donadoni’s Napoli are continuing where they left off at the end of last season, which is definitely not a good thing. After a strong performance in the opening match at Palermo, which they lost very unluckily, the Partenopei registered a routine win at home against Livorno, but were then thrashed 4-1 at Genoa and held to a drab goalless draw at home by Udinese last weekend.
Last season Napoli started off very well, reaching the fourth place at one point, but performed worse than a relegation-threatened side in the second half of the season, which eventually led to coach Edy Reja getting sacked. Former Italy coach Donadoni was then appointed, and although results only improved slightly, he was allowed to stay on.
Once again the Napoli faithfull's expectations were raised high, but the early signs aren’t positive. On the other hand, the team has an impressive strike force, which was recently strengthened with the signing of Italian international Fabio Quagliarella from Udinese. The pairing of Quagliarella and Ezequiel Lavezzi has yet to fully realise its potential, but once their understanding improves, the goals will likely start coming thick and fast.
After a disappointing couple of results, Napoli travel to San Siro to face Inter, hoping to invert the recent trend against the Nerazzurri at San Siro. Interestingly, results of fixtures between Inter and Napoli in the last two seasons have been identical. At home, Inter prevailed 2-1 on both occasions, while at the San Paolo Napoli won 1-0 both in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.
Let's watch who will be winner...
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