Bologna vs Internazionale Preview

October 27, 2012 By Gregory Sica

Andrea Stramaccioni's exuberant side will be after another victory that would keep them on the heels of league leaders Juventus.

Inter Milan will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory of the season when they travel to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to do battle with Bologna.

The Nerazzuri just sit four points away from league leaders Juventus, and will be in need of the three points to maintain pressure on them, even if they know that it won't be such a straightforward task.

Last season Inter were thumped 3-0 by Bologna at the San Siro, but the situation is likely to be somewhat different this time around, because Andrea Stramaccioni has moulded together an extremely solid unit that have lived up to expectation both in the Serie A and the Europa League this season.

Inter, who have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games against Bologna, will rate their chances of returning home with the three points, even if Stramaccioni won't be able to count with the services of several of his men, including Wesley Sneijder, Christian Chivu, Dejan Stankovic and Brazilian youngster Philippe Coutinho.

Stramaccioni gave a rest to numerous of his regular starters during the midweek Europa League victory over Partizan Belgrade, and will be expecting an impressive display from his side. Having gone for a 3-4-3 tactical formation, there is clear evidence that the coach wants to use his attacking options to absolutely hammer the locals. No less than three strikers will start the game from the kick-off, these being Diego Milito, Antonio Cassano and midweek match-winner Rodrigo Palacio.

Bologna have made a highly-disappointing start to their season, after having lost five of their eight games, which has left them stranded in 16th position coming into this round.

To make matters worse ahead of their clash with Inter, a number of players will miss out on the game, including the Uruguayan pair of Diego Perez and Henry Gimenez, Dejan Stojanovic, Cesari Natali and Robert Acquafresca.

If there's one player to keep an eye on in the Bologna camp, it is definitely Alberto Gilardino. The Italian international has been in stunning form this season, and will be hoping to add to his five goals this season against Inter.