Catania v Inter Call ups and Preview

The contest with Genoa was a confidence booster and a chance to test playing The Mazzarri Way, whatever that means. There were some good things and some average things, but mostly, there weren’t any horrible things and that’s got to count for something.

This week will likely be a tougher test. Catania was something of a pleasant surprise last season and they started this season giving Fiorentina probably a tougher fight than was expected. The season is still young, and there is no way to know what to expect out of these two teams.

Who: Catania vs Inter

What: Match Day 2 Serie A

Where: Stadio Angelo Massimino

When: Sunday, September 1, 2013, 20:45 CET local, 2:45 PM EST USA

INTER

Goalkeepers: 1 Samir Handanovic, 12 Luca Castellazzi, 30 Juan Pablo Carrizo;

Defenders: 2 Jonathan, 5 Juan Jesus, 6 Marco Andreolli, 14 Hugo Campagnaro, 18 Wallace, 23 Andrea Ranocchia, 25 Walter Samuel, 31 Alvaro Pereira, 35 Rolando, 55 Yuto Nagatomo;

Midfielders: 10 Mateo Kovacic, 11 Ricky Alvarez, 13 Fredy Guarin, 17 Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 21 Saphir Taider, 90 Patrick Olsen;

Forwards: 7 Ishak Belfodil, 8 Rodrigo Palacio, 9 Mauro Icardi.

Probable Formation: 3511 – Handanovic; Campagnaro, Ranocchia, JJ; Jonathan, Guarin, Cambiasso, Kuzmanovic, Nagatomo; Alvarez; Palacio

Notes: There is some speculation that Mazzarri will put Taider and Kovacic out there from minute one, but I don’t think that will happen. I think that he’ll pull the trigger on substitutions earlier if he needs to because he has more confidence in them. But this game smells sit back and wait to me.

Of course that might be Catania’s tactic. Mazzarri has said in interviews today that depending on how Catania come out of the tunnel, he has 2 strategies. He also said that Inter have to learn to attack without fear of being countered. So I guess we will have to see what happens. Mazzarri isn’t one to risk a whole lot to start things off, though.

CATANIA

Probable formation: 4231 – Andujar; Monzon, Spolli, Bellusci, Alvarez; Tachtsidis, Izco; Leto, Barrientos, Castro; Bergessio

Notes: From I have read, there is a doubt to Almiron and that could change the formation from 4231 to 433, but it looks to me to not really be that much of a difference. Barrientos and Bergessio are the real worries here for Inter. Almiron is their link between the recovery and the attack. I think that if he’s available he’s more a threat to make the big pass rather than the score.

The test for Inter is if they can contain the counter. I have no doubt that Catania will force the turnover in their own side of the field, attempt to make the long pass to the gap on the flank of the defense – bypassing Inter’s midfield, force Hugo or JJ outside to stretch that backline and then either shoot or cross for the tap in. The question is whether Inter have the team that can dictate action and protect itself at the same time. I have said before that a good player is one that can do 2 things well and an average one is only proficient at one. If this team can do two things well – bring the ball across midfield without the terror that is the counter attack hanging like The Sword of Damocles over their heads, then there is a chance at least of a point here. This will be the main thing that I look out for here.

Last season, those who haven’t blocked it out of their memory might remember Catania players dribbling right down the park from end to end right in the center of the field to cause Inter troubles. This season I am tempted to say that won’t happen. I could be wrong here, but I doubt the team will lose its shape that badly. I was happy to see that discipline last week. I am hoping that Mazzarri isn’t growing over-confident and neglecting it tomorrow. That will be the second thing that I will be noting.

Prediction

I will be happy with a draw here. Inter won this game last season in a crazy game that saw The Black and Blue Guys down 2-0 after twenty-ish minutes. Palacio came on in the second half and this is what happened next:

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It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the team in blue and red also remember snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and walk out thinking that they will have something to prove. I foresee a tough match.

FORZA INTER