SAMPDORIA
Romero
Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa
De Silvestri,Polli,Krsticic,Obiang,Estigarribia
Eder, Icardi
INTER
Handanovic
Zanetti, Ranocchia, Chivu, Pereira
Kuzmanovic, Gargano
Schelotto, Guarin, Cassano
Palacio
A 4-1 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur was not enough to preserve Inter’s Europa League campaign, but both the victory and the manner of it might be enough to see the Nerazzurriout of what manager Andrea Stramaccioni has called a “period of great difficulty.”
Since striker Diego Milito went down with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined the rest of the season, Inter have won only one of four Serie A matches, scoring just five goals. But forwards Rodrigo Palacio and Antonio Cassano each found the back of the net against Spurs and will be expected to start up top once again as Stramaccioni looks to coax some more offense from his side.
He will, however, be without suspended defender Juan Jesus, and left-back Yuto Nagatomo is also unavailable due to a knee injury. Argentine centre-back Walter Samuel trained during the week and will likely start on the bench.
Sampdoria had lost just twice since the December 17 appointment of manager Delio Rossi until dropping a 3-1 decision against Cagliari last weekend. Presently 11th in the table, i Blucerachiati could rise into the top half of the table with a win at home to Inter coupled with a Bologna loss or draw against Juventus.
Winger Davide Gavazzi is Rossi’s only injury or suspension concern and will be out for the rest of the season after surgery to repair a torn cruciate ligament.
DID YOU KNOW?
Inter’s 4-1 win over Tottenham marked the first time this season the Nerazzurri had scored more than three goals in a match.
Inter have won just three of the 10 Serie A matches they’ve played in 2013.
Rodrigo Palacio’s brace against Catania earlier this month took him to nine Serie A goals on the campaign, tying him with the injured Diego Milito for the team scoring lead.
Sampdoria had kept five clean sheets from six matches before falling 3-1 to Cagliari last weekend.
Coming into the 2012-13 Serie A season, Sampdoria were handed a one-point deduction for their role in the 2011-12 Italian football corruption scandal.
This will be the 131st meeting between Sampdoria and Inter, of which the Nerrazzurri have won 71 and lost only 20. Sampdoria last beat Inter on this ground in September 2009.
Prediction
Inter are struggling to create goalscoring chances these days; Sampdoria are capable of playing some of the stingiest defense in Italy. Don’t expect a barrage of goals in this one. Sampdoria should feel good about their chances of taking at least a point from this.
Editor's Prediction
Sampdoria 1-1 Inter
