Yesterday marked the 105-year anniversary of the Internazionale Football Club’s establishment and a win at home to Bologna will be a much needed celebratory gift. We’ll have live scores from 6.45am AEDT.
However, hosting the Bolognese outfit is not the routine three-pointer that it was only a couple years back, as the Nerazzurri continue their rebuilding phase.
Inter come into the game after a disappointing 3-0 Europa loss to Tottenham in what was a highly disappointing performance, described by many fans as lacking ‘heart’.
Coach Andrea Stramaccioni has always held firm that the Serie A top three was the clubs primary goal and this was echoed through a starting eleven named without the club’s in-form Argentinian forward, Rodrigo Palacio.
However the team’s general lack of enthusiasm and cohesion was cause for concern and is something Stramaccioni will hope does not carry over back into the Nerazzuri’s Serie A campaign.
AC Milan has already placed added pressure on the Bologna game, claiming an early 2-0 win away to Genoa, in the race for a top three position.
Inter fans will no doubt be hopeful that this will provide added encouragement to complete the job at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Meanwhile, Bologna come into the game riding an impressive 2013 run of form as they continue to exceed expectations.
There is little pressure on Bologna to earn an away result to the likes of Inter Milan, which arguably makes them more of a danger in this kind of form.
The fellow northern Italian outfit have made some significant gains up the Serie A standings of recent weeks, ranking among the top five on current form.
Led by the experienced attacking line of Alberto Gilardino and Alessandro Diamanti, the Rossoblu will be eager to spoil the home team’s celebrations and continue to push clear of the relegation zone.
Tip: This should be a hard fought game, given Bologna’s recent form and Inter’s inconsistencies.
Much will depend on the ability of Inter to control the game from the starting whistle, which they have struggled to do of late. They have the quality to score a couple goals, however their defensive form causes some concern.
Inter to earn a tough three points in a 2-1 win.
King Robbo
Guest
This is the most average Inter team I have seen in my lifetime. Stramaccioni has done well cosidering what he has at his disposal. Its funny how my Inter friends gave me so much grief about Milan early in the year and suddenly now they have all gone quiet.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
And from Captain Zanetti: "It's a tough time, you lose a bit of belief when things aren't going well, we now need this to end as soon as possible because it can't continue: we need to rediscover our confidence. We're working on it but it's not easy."
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
Some postmatch words from the charasmatic Inter coach, refusing to give up hope: "There are still ten matches to play, we're not quite performing as we'd like at the moment, but there are still ten games left." "It's a tight league where every side can cause you problems. There are still ten matches to go, we can and we must do it." "We weren't ourselves in the first half and we were punished in the second after we'd gone with a more attacking approach." "Yes, we've missed another opportunity but it's still on." "We're all angry and disappointed but we won't let it get us down."
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
The question is where do Inter go from here. They will not give up on third position, however it becomes an increasingly difficult task given the current form of AC Milan, now four points adrift. Another force also enters the race, with Fiorentina jumping Inter into fourth position on 48 points (Inter on 47).
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
Bologna have not only spoiled Inter's 105th year celebration but ended a 16 match unbeaten streak for the home side at the Guissepe Meazza. Not many reasons for Inter to celebrate, with added pressure falling on Stramaccioni. The young coach to be fair did not make any crucial mistakes with his side, however questions may be asked as to why Cassano started from the bench. Credit to Bologna, who produced a great goal, with Diamanti producing one of many high quality balls through the match, for Gilardino to finish on the volley. Diamanti would always be key and was particularly influential in the first half. Curci in goal for Bologna wouldnt be far off man of the match following his second half performance, turning away, at times, non stop Inter Milan threats on goal.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Inter 0 - Bologna 1 Bologna continue their fantastic run, now up to 10th position, Inter fall 4 points behind AC Milan in the race for third position.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90+4' - Another great ball in for Cambiasso, forcing a fantastic save from Curci. Curci has had an amazing second half, keeping Bologna ahead. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90+4' - A great run from Pereira sees another cross intercepted by Bologna. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90+4' - Another ball from Cassano sees Ranocchia heading wide. Ranocchia playing as somewhat of a target man upfront. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90+4' - Cross after cross is coming in for Inter, as Bologna continue to keep the Nerazzuri out.
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
90' - Last minute of normal time, Inter pushing forward again. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
89' - Freekick after a shirt pull on Cassano. Ball put in for Palacio who heads without much power for a Curci save. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
87' - Guarin with a great ball in for Ranocchia to head the ball agonizingly over the bar in close range. Curci had come out for the ball, where a header on target would have surely equalized. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
86' - Gargano takes and puts it straight into the wall. Wasted opportunity. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
85' - Freekick here for Inter just outside the box after an intentional handball from Naldo. Great chance here with Gargano and Cassano both behind the ball. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
84' - Guarin puts a ball in for Ranocchia to spectacularly try a bicycle kick, with the shot going wide of the goal. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
83' - Most the game is being played in Bologna's own half as Inter grow desperate for an equalizer. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
82' - A great ball in for Inter is chested out for a corner. Another cross follows the corner, with Curci forced to punch away. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
81' - Guarin tries to do too much with the ball as he is surrounded by three defenders, losing the ball in a good attacking position. Inter 0 - Bologna 1
Nicholas Carroll
Roar Guru
79' - Krhin rises to meet a cross and force a great save from Carrizo. Inter 0 - Bologna 1