Chievo’s start to the 2010-11 campaign has been brilliant, as instead of fighting against the drop they are sailing in mid-table. The Flying Donkeys are currently stationed in 11th position in the table with 16 points from 12 matches and are five points ahead of the bottom three.
Last weekend Stefano Pioli’s side registered yet another important result as they held Sampdoria to a goalless draw in Genoa. Chievo have a somewhat consistent record of four wins, four defeats and four draws in 12 league fixtures.
At the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi in Verona too, Chievo have a consistent record, having won two, lost two and drawn two matches in Serie A. However, winning against Inter on Sunday will not be very easy especially as the Nerazzurri are wounded animals after last weekend’s derby win.
Getting Out Of ‘Crisis’
To term Inter’s current malevolent form as ‘crisis’ would perhaps be overstating their wretched run of results, but the Italian and European champions have been severely struggling for quite some time. Last weekend’s defeat to Milan in the Derby della Madonnina pushed the Beneamata to six points off the pace with 20 points from 12 matches.
Club supremo Massimo Moratti has publicly backed coach Rafael Benitez and insists that he has no plans of sacking the Spaniard. However, pressure is increasing on the former Liverpool manager, whose tactics and ability to manage his players have come under scrutiny.
Injuries to key players especially to defenders Walter Samuel and Maicon have had an adverse impact on their game but that can be no excuse for Benitez. Inter have won just one of their last six competitive matches but they will need to garner a win on Sunday to keep themselves in the title race.
TEAM NEWS
Chievo
Luciano is out for the Flying Donkeys, who are likely to opt for a 4-3-1-2 system that will have Thereau alongside Pellissier in attack and Bogliacino as the creative midfielder just behind them
Inter
Coutinho, Chivu, Mariga, Milito, Muntari, Maicon, Thiago Motta, Obi and Samuel all are out of the trip to Verona. Benitez is likely to deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation that will have Sneijder in the creative midfielder’s role and Eto’o and Pandev as the two forwards. Cordoba will start at right-back again and Santon will occupy the left-back position.
Prediction
Inter are in wretched form under Benitez while Chievo are doing quite well in respect to their aspirations. The Flying Donkeys will make it very tough for the Italian champions in Verona and one suspects that the match could end in a draw.
Chievo 1-1 Inter Milan 
