Inter - Lazio (Coppa Italia) (31 Jan 17) [1-2]

[Wobblz]

Once again, my concern is the long term future of this club. So for me Coppa Italia this year, is a stupid tournament to compete for.

But are you really trying to tell me that you'd be okay with winning Coppa at the sacrifice of a UCL spot? Because that's how you're coming across right now.

Who said we can't compete for both? I mean, what makes you think we're somehow not fit to do it? We'll have 5 days of rest between the Lazio game on Tuesday 31st and the one with Juve on Sunday the 5th. We also have decent depth, both in attack and in midfield.

Icardi
Eder - Banega - Candreva/Barbosa
Brozovic-Gagliardini
Nagatomo - Medel - Andreolli - Santon
Carrizo​

should be more than good enough to face Lazio in a Cup tie. Also, we must keep in mind that substitutes need to be playing and a tournament like the Coppa is a perfect opportunity for the likes of Gabriel/Naga/Santon/Carrizo etc. to get some actual playing time and not just gather dust on the bench.

 

[Pharaoh]

Who said we can't compete for both? I mean, what makes you think we're somehow not fit to do it? We'll have 5 days of rest between the Lazio game on Tuesday 31st and the one with Juve on Sunday the 5th. We also have decent depth, both in attack and in midfield.

Icardi
Eder - Banega - Candreva/Barbosa
Brozovic-Gagliardini
Nagatomo - Medel - Andreolli - Santon
Carrizo​

should be more than good enough to face Lazio in a Cup tie. Also, we must keep in mind that substitutes need to be playing and a tournament like the Coppa is a perfect opportunity for the likes of Gabriel/Naga/Santon/Carrizo etc. to get some actual playing time and not just gather dust on the bench.

My whole point is that I don't want to sacrifice anybody essential in these matches. If Icardi/JM/Gags/Miranda go down injured in this fixture, I'd be furious. And that's why I don't want to compete for both. If you wanna put in the scrubs, so be it, but if we lose 2342-0 i wouldn't blink twice.

 

[IRR26]

The tricky part here is that you cannot rotate that much and expect to win against Lazio. IMO you can only rotate few players because the core needs to be there. We have seen that everygame in serie a have been difficult (maybe Pescara was exeption because of the early goal) even with the Inter best XI.

Also for keeping the moral and players self esteem high before Jube game we need a win against Lazio.

Murillo, Kondogbia, Banega(is he match fit?), Eder should start.

 

[Wobblz]

Oh, and BTW, objectively speaking Lazio are in the same boat as we are - they're chasing CL qualification, but will they field a much weaker squad just because of that, effectively dropping their chance of winning the cup? I don't think so.

 

[Caecuban]

Any guess on what will be Lazio's approach for this match? If they will play backups or not?

 

[firmino]

A couple of pundits here in Italy claimed that Suning consider Coppa Italia important. They didn't tell their source though.

 

[Black Knight]

Winning breeds confidence. This means winning games, and ideally cups. That's how dominant teams become dominant, because of the winning mentality.

Do you think a loss here won't affect the team's confidence going into Sunday? If so, think again.

 

[Pharaoh]

Winning breeds confidence. This means winning games, and ideally cups. That's how dominant teams become dominant, because of the winning mentality.

Do you think a loss here won't affect the team's confidence going into Sunday? If so, think again.

I agree with everything you're saying except one point. Dominant teams also aren't mentally weak, so one loss really shouldn't be the end all of our confidence.

 

[Bluenine]

Icardi
Eder - Banega - Candreva/Barbosa
Brozovic-Gagliardini
Nagatomo - Medel - Andreolli - Santon
Carrizo​

I would rest Icardi and Gags too.

Palacio
Eder - Banega - Gabigol
Kondogbia - Brozovic
Ansaldi - Medel - Murillo - Santon
Carrizo​

Kdog, Ansaldi & Murillo can start since they didn't play this weekend. But apart from them, we should rest all first team players for the Juve game. Its still a strong line up for Lazio.

 

[Black Knight]

I agree with everything you're saying except one point. Dominant teams also aren't mentally weak, so one loss really shouldn't be the end all of our confidence.

Of course, but we're not a dominant team yet, despite looking the best we've looked since probably 2011. One loss, especially a comprehensive one against a team we're capable of beating, will undo some of the good work Pioli's been doing.

Trust me, I come from a country which is very experienced in football defeats.

 

[Kakaroto]

Remember coaches say they gonna play their best teams in the cups all the time then play what we consider subs. He wants his guys all to feel important. If he said he'll play backups or a weaken team what kind of message is that. There will be rotations.

 

[Candreva Crosses]

I would rest Icardi and Gags too.

Palacio
Eder - Banega - Gabigol
Kondogbia - Brozovic
Ansaldi - Medel - Murillo - Santon
Carrizo​

Kdog, Ansaldi & Murillo can start since they didn't play this weekend. But apart from them, we should rest all first team players for the Juve game. Its still a strong line up for Lazio.

What I've learned the last couple of years is, no matter how strong the team looks on papers it still will turn out shit with Inter. But this Pioli guy is making me fly just like the first half of last season.

 

[javier_zanetti <3]

Important game and a must win. We need to come to the Rube match in the best condition and like some users already said, a lose here won't be good for our confidance, but the most important thing is that i want a titoli.

 

[Provenzano]

1-0 with Gabigol goal

 

[Harpsabu]

Wow i have no interest in this match, just want Juve game already. Never been as excited for a match. But i wouldnt like to end our win streak just before juve so lets hope we get a win and rest a few players.

 

[JJM]

INTER (4-2-3-1): Carrizo, Nagatomo, Murillo, Medel, Ansaldi, Kondogbia, Brozovic, Eder, Banega, Gabigol, Palacio. All.Pioli

Predicted line up
Logical choices

 

[thatdude]

INTER (4-2-3-1): Carrizo, Nagatomo, Murillo, Medel, Ansaldi, Kondogbia, Brozovic, Eder, Banega, Gabigol, Palacio. All.Pioli

Predicted line up
Logical choices

This line up will lose IMO unless Lazio is also planning on rotation. Carrizo, Nagatomo, Ansaldi as a rightback, and Palacio is too much.

 

[Black Knight]

I'd just never play Carrizo unless Handa is injured. It's not like he needs game time to improve, or Handa gets tired running up and down the flanks.

Also, if Carrizo doesn't inspire me with confidence, nor will he our defence, I think.

 

[Sassuolu]

Will be hard to motivate the team for this one, they'll be definitely thinking of Juventus.

 

[firmino]

Will be hard to motivate the team for this one, they'll be definitely thinking of Juventus.

True. I mean, FIF couldn't even motivate the Countdown on the home page.