Chievo Verona vs Inter Milan Match Preview
Inter are missing Julio Cesar, Walter Samuel, and Coutinho amongst others. Their injury list must be dismaying for coach Rafael Benitez.
Notwithstanding that fact, Inter have looked pedestrian even when their stars have been on the pitch. They now lie six points behind rivals Milan, and if Benitez does not manage to get three points against Chievo, then we may see him gone by the end of the month.
Chievo are a tenacious outfit that lie only four points behind Inter. A win for them would severely impact Inter's chances of winning the Scudetto.
Prediction: Inter will pull through with a narrow 1-0 win.
Chievo Verona vs Inter Milan Match Report
Chievo did not only defeat Inter--they did it with a swagger and confidence that spoke volumes about their opponents' disarray. Inter coach Rafael Benitez seemed optimistic all week about his team's prospects, but this latest 2-1 defeat will leave him teetering on the brink.
Inter were shapeless and clueless from the outset. Admittedly, Benitez had to compensate for the loss of several key players, and he insisted post-match that that was the main issue, but even he must know deep down inside that he has lost the plot.
Benitez fielded Samuel Eto’o up front, with Goran Pandev behind him. Wesley Sneijder, as usual, pulled the strings in midfield.
Surprisingly, however, Javier Zanetti started as left-back.
Chievo were quicker, and more enthusiastic, and they deservedly took the lead in the 29th minute. Nicolas Frey delivered a swerving cross, which Sergio Pellissier met with a resounding header. Davide Santon of Inter barely moved a muscle in trying to defend it.
Eto’o was then caught on tape headbutting Cesar. The violent conduct could mean a long ban--up to three games--for the Cameroonian.
Moscardelli added one for Chievo late on in the second half before Eto’o pulled one back with a superb solo effort.
This latest defeat could be decisive for Inter and their coach Benitez. The loss now puts Inter nine points off the leadership.