Welcome Back Parma, Long Time No See

By: robert | January 19th, 2008

Serie A, Round 19
Who: Inter Milan vs. Parma
When: Sunday, January 20th 2:30 pm ET
Where: San Siro

After their week 18 win verses Siena, and their midweek win verses Reggina in the Coppa Italia, the Nerazzuri continue to roll. Zlatan Ibrahimovic got back on pace in week 18, socring twice. As for Parma, despite their 2-1 loss to Fiorentina last week, they come into the game with some good news. Italy international striker Cristiano Lucarelli has made his move permanent to Parma from Shakhtar Donetsk. Lucarelli said, “The choice to join Parma was taken with my head as I knew this was the best professional choice.” (That shit makes no sense, by the way.)

However the last time these two teams met, Inter gave it to them, (much like they do to everyone else for that matter)
2-0. The goals where compliments of Maxwell and Crespo. (Remember the times when Mancini actually let him play every now and again?) That was way back, April 1st of 2007, to be exact. Much has changed since then, and that’s bad news for Parma.

Positional Standings:

Inter are in 1st with 46 points, 7 points clear of second place Roma.
Parma are in 13th with 18 points, 3 points behind 12th place Milan.

Injuries:

Inter: Despite their continued success, the Inter injury list remains extensive. Patrick Vieira, Luis Figo, Francesco Toldo, Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel, and David Suazo will all be sidelined.

Parma: New signing Cristiano Lucarelli will most likely not be able to play in this one, which is good news for Inter. Striker Igor Budan and defender Giulio Falcone will also miss the action.

Probable Lineups:

Inter: Cesar

Maicon Cordoba Materazzi Maxwell

Zanetti Cambiasso Chivu Jimenez

Cruz Ibrahimovic

Parma:
Bucci

Coly Couto Paci Castellini

Reginaldo Morrone Cigarini Pisanu

Gasbarroni Corradi

Prediction:

If Lucarelli plays, it could be a bit more interesting. If Inters new signing Maniche joins in on the fun as well, it could be a real fiesta. Inter should have no problem controlling the middle, with Cambiasso and Chivu to match against Morrone and Cigatrini. The Reginaldo/Zanetti battle on the wing should be nice to watch, but I think the Inter captain has the upper hand. This Parma back four better get some good sleep the night before. Actually, I think the better idea would be to stay up all night. Ya know, nightmares. Nightmares of Cruz and Ibra running at them. Seems to me that everything is “in check” for the Nerazzuri in this one.

Inter take this one easily, 2-0.