Match: v. AS Roma
Date: Sunday 19th August
Competition: Super Coppa
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Should we give a damn?: Hmm, yes, on the balance of things. As already stated elsewhere on this blog, priorities are elsewhere but Mancini is expecting his team to win this match. It would set up the season nicely if we do, but it will also enable the coach to firm up his strongest starting eleven. Of primary importance will be a sound defensive display, especially after the recent shocker against AZ Alkmaar.
Sidelines:
* Some fat bloke called Adriano will not be anywhere near the pitch, as Mancini has not selected him in the squad. Elsewhere on here you will no doubt have read he has been training long and hard, but his absence points to one of two things: a. He is on his way out of Inter; or b. He is nowhere near fit/good enough for the nerazzurri right now. Clearly Mancini is not keen on him and with Suazo looking sexy in pre-season, the Brazilian is finding himself low down in the pecking order.
* Cristian Chivu will start his first match in anger against his former club. It will be interesting to see how the opposition take to him in a blue and black shirt. Chances are that the Romanian will begin in central defence.
Who's Hot?: David Suazo has been sharp in pre-season. A good show in this match will cement a first-team place until any squad rotation system gets in the way. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn't looked too bad either in the friendlies.
Who's Not?: Maicon is suspended for this match, opening up the right-back berth for Javier Zanetti. Alvaro Recoba is nowhere to be seen either in the squad.
What to look out for: An improved defensive display should be the order of the evening, with a healthy side dish of a strong performance from Suazo and the odd wonder-goal from Stankovic.
Prediction: 2-0 Inter.