Zanetti backs Inter boss Leonardo
Reuters - Friday 08 April 2011, 11:28
MILAN - Brief news from Serie A ahead of
this weekend's matches
Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti believes the club must
rally round coach Leonardo after last weekend's 3-0 derby loss
against leaders AC Milan and Tuesday's shock 5-2 home defeat by
Schalke in the Champions League.
"He's an extraordinary man in every aspect. He has
confidence in us and we have confidence in him." Zanetti told
reporters ahead of his third-placed side hosting Chievo on
Saturday.
"Since he arrived here, Inter have changed. I believe we
should move forward with him because we get on very well."
Hapless Inter defender Cristian Chivu, sent off in both
those defeats, is banned for the match.
Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back from suspension
for Sunday's trip to Fiorentina but is not guaranteed a
starting spot after Alexandre Pato and Robinho ran rings round
Inter last weekend.
Fellow striker Antonio Cassano is banned, however.
Napoli, three points behind leaders Milan in second place
with seven games left, visit mid-table Bologna on Sunday
with a surprisingly poor record against the hosts and top
striker Edinson Cavani suspended. Giuseppe Mascara is set to
fill in.
Bologna, who appointed their fifth president in 10 months on
Thursday in the form of Albano Guaraldi, have won 31 of their 61
meetings in the league and Italian Cup while they recorded a 2-1
win in the corresponding fixture last term.
Fourth-placed Udinese, who lost their first league match
of the year at lowly Lecce last weekend, welcome AS Roma on
Saturday in a key match for both sides' European
ambitions.
"It's a match that is worth double, above all from a
psychological point of view," Udinese centre-back Maurizio
Domizzi told reporters. "If we win we will eliminate a direct
competitor for the Champions League."
Roma in sixth head into the game without injured French
duo Philippe Mexes and Jeremy Menez, who have both hinted they
could leave the club in the close season.
Lazio have defender Giuseppe Biava and midfielder Stefano
Mauri suspended for Sunday's home game with Parma but
Cristian Ledesma and Cristian Brocchi have recovered from knocks
as they aim to revive their Champions League push after last
weekend's 4-3 defeat by Napoli.