LAZIO lay in wait for the winners of this Coppa Italia semi-final clash between Inter Milan and Roma tonight.
Injury-ravaged Inter could struggle to create chances and with the goalscoring potential of Lamela, Totti and Destro, the Romans will be hopeful for a record 17th Coppa Italia final appearance Here is Milesey's match preview.
Inter (2) v Roma (1) (7.45)
The first half of this semi-final was played in Rome in late January, with the home side taking the honours that night 2-1. Alessandro Florenzi opened the scoring in the 13th minute, heading home a cross from Ivan Piris.
Twenty minutes later Piris provided another cross, this time to Mattia Destro, with the same result. Rodrigo Palacio would earn the precious away goal in the 44th minute.
Sunday’s defeat to Cagliari at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste leaves Inter seventh in the Serie A table with third-placed AC Milan and the final Champions League spot nine points away with six games remaining.
Crash out of the cup at a time when Inter are floundering in Serie A, a massive 21 points behind leader Juventus, and club patron Massimo Moratti will have no choice but to re-consider his manager’s suitability.
Palacio is all but certain to miss this match, while Walter Gargano and Yuto Nagatomo were subbed off during Inter’s defeat to Cagliari, each sustaining leg injuries that might keep them out well beyond this second leg.
The Inter injury list is long and lustrous, including the likes of Diego Milito, Antonio Cassano and Cristian Chivu, among others. And boss Andrea Stramaccioni is also without the suspended Alvaro Pereira and Fredy Guarin.
The absence of Palacio, Milito and Cassano has been particularly damaging to Inter’s league form, with 35-year-old Tommaso Rocchi currently operating as the club’s only fit senior striker alongside attacking midfielder Ricky Alvarez.
Following the 1-1 draw in Derby della Capitale, Roma picked up a vital three points against Torino in Sunday’s Serie A action. The visitors twice led in the match – goals from Pablo Osvaldo and Erik Lamela sandwiching an equaliser from Rolando Bianchi.
Daniele De Rossi should return from an ankle problem. Pjanic, Erik Lamela and Pablo Osvaldo suffered minor injuries in the wake of Sunday’s match but the first two are expected to shake off knocks to play on Wednesday.
Osvaldo along with central defender Burdisso are suspended for this game. Vasilis Torosidis and Marquinhos are both pushing for a return to the starting XI after being rested for the 2-1 victory at Torino
Roma are unbeaten in their last six matches against Inter, winning three and drawing three. Lamela is the club’s leading goalscorer this season with 14 goals in 28 games.
Probable line-ups
INTER (3-5-1-1): Handanovic; Samuel, Juan, Ranocchia; Zanetti, Jonathan, Kovacic, Cambiasso, Kuzmanovic; Alvarez; Rocchi.
ROMA (4-3-3): Stekelenburg; Torosidis, Marquinhos, Castan, Balzaretti; Florenzi, Perrotta, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti, Destro.
Recommended Bets
Roma @ 2.70
Roma to win 2-0 @ 18.00
Lamela anytime goalscorer @ 2.90
Roma to win both halves @ 10.00
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Hi M,
There’s a typo on this with Roma 2-1 up from the first leg. The numbers in the sub-heading and the text below need changing. I’m on Roma all the same. Cheers, Paul
Final score and result:- Roma vs Inter 2-1 ( Florenzi, Destro/ Palacio)
Stadio Olimpico, Rome- 23 January, 2013- 19.45 UK- Coppa Italia Semifinal first leg- 23/1/13- Wednesday
Alessandro Florenzi and Mattia Destro are on target for Roma as the Giallorossi beat Inter 2-1 in the first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal. Rodrigo Palacio with the only goal of the game for Inter
Milesey
MR F , put the scores in and the first line ;) ;) ;)
Got the scorers right just the wrong team ;) ;)
Milesey
Good stuff – didn’t want folk placing wrong bets because of a typo. Your and Mr F collective knowledge landed me a 24/1 last night and two off a 221/1 long shot, so keep up the good work!
Milesey,,Cheers for all the relevant info on tonights match, a lot of details that your average punter would not know and allows me to make a more informed bet :
Lamela, to score anytime, Roma to win:
Enhanced Odds @ Hills, 5/1
Roma to win 1-2 @ 17/2 Hills