Saturday April 16th 2011, 7.45pm GMT
Inter will look to put the humiliating nature of their Champions League exit behind them on Saturday when they travel to Parma to resume their Serie A campaign. The media in Italy have been unsympathetic in the aftermath of the Milan side’s European elimination at the hands of Schalke 04 – for example, La Repubblica said that they were "but a shadow of last season's Inter."
This game will be coach Franco Columba’s second in charge of Parma, and his first at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. His debut on the Parma bench resulted in a 2-0 defeat at Lazio last Sunday afternoon. His predecessor Pasquale Marino was dismissed following a string of disappointing results which have left Parma in a perilous position in the table, just above the relegation zone.
While Columba is hoping to ensure Serie A survival for his club, his opposite number Leonardo’s objectives will be very different with just six rounds of games remaining. Sitting in third place in the table, and with a Coppa Italia semi-final to look forward to, Inter are still in with a chance of silverware on both fronts.
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| Samuel may make his long-awaited return on Saturday |
The Nerazzurri have looked fragile at the back recently while Brazilian Lúcio was absent due to suspension, but they turned in a far more assured performance last week upon his return against Chievo. Lúcio’s fellow centre-back Walter Samuel is also expected to be available for the Parma game, though he will be severely lacking in match fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury. In addition, Cristian Chivu returns from suspension.
Parma showed encouraging signs last week against Lazio, and the likes of Amauri and Sebastian Giovinco are likely to test any defence. With Lúcio back in their line-up however, the defending league champions should be able to soak up the pressure and eventually make their overall superiority count.
Prediction – Inter to win – 4pts
Match odds: Parma 7/2
Draw 5/2
Inter 3/4
Parma: Last 5 Serie A Results
10.04.2011 – Lazio 2-0 Parma
03.04.2011 – Parma 1-2 Bari
20.03.2011 – Sampdoria 0-1 Parma
13.03.2011 – Parma 1-3 Napoli
06.03.2011 – Chievo 0-0 Parma
Inter: Last 5 Serie A Results
09.04.2011 – Inter 2-0 Chievo
02.04.2011 – AC Milan 3-0 Inter
20.03.2011 – Inter 1-0 Lecce
11.03.2011 – Brescia 1-1 Inter
06.03.2011 – Inter 5-2 Genoa
