Internazionale host Catania Calcio

Inter Milan look for first win with depleted squad when hosting Catania
By Editorial Desk / PA Wire Services
sumber : http://web.mlsnet.com

MILAN -- Internazionale will have to do without several key players as the defending champions go in search of their first win of the season against Catania on Saturday.

Midfielder Luis Jimenez has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and was joined in the treatment room by Dejan Stankovic in midweek.

The Serbia star, who turned 30 on Thursday, limped out of his country's World Cup qualifier against France in midweek after hurting his right knee and will be sidelined for a month.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho is also expected to rest Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar and Argentinian midfielder Javier Zanetti in view of next week's Champions League opener at Werder Bremen, with both players having only returned from international duty on Friday.

Inter will instead have veteran goalkeeper Francesco Toldo in goal while Mancini and Quaresma will play in support of Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.

Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira is also expected to start against Catania having overcome a muscle problem which has sidelined him for four months.

And Ricardo Quaresma, Inter´s top summer signing, is expected to make his Serie A debut this weekend.

The former FC Porto winger, who joined the Nerazzurri on transfer market deadline day, missed Inter´s 1-1 draw at Sampdoria in their league opener.

The 24-year-old will be under pressure to make an impact with the Italian champions having splashed out 24.6 million euros on him, but he is ready for the task that awaits him.

"I feel really calm," said Quaresma. "In a squad as strong as Inter I have felt really well from the start.

"Any player would love to have the San Siro as their home stadium. You cannot have any fear of playing in such an amazing atmosphere."

Saturday´s clash will also be a special occasion for Catania coach Walter Zenga.

The former Italian goalkeeper will face the team he represented for many years for the first time as coach.

"I have played against them before as a player but this time I will face them as coach" admitted Zenga.

"It´s going to be an emotional day because I return on Saturday to the stadium where I played for 22 years.

"However, this should not affect my team or distract me from the job at hand."

The Sicilian minnows will not have their fans at the stadium, with their club supporters having been banned from traveling to the San Siro for security reasons.

Catania nevertheless go into the clash in buoyant mood after a 1-0 triumph over Genoa in their opener, courtesy of Giuseppe Mascara's goal.

However, Zenga needs no reminder of the challenge that awaits his team when they take on Mourinho´s men looking to beat the Nerazzurri in Milan for the first time in Italy´s top flight.

"I think Catania must try to make history using heart, brain and legs," said Zenga. "My players are ready.

"To try to beat the defending champions is not an opportunity that you get every day and we will have to take advantage of their weaknesses."

The visitors will be without defender Pablo Alvarez and midfielder Ezequiel Carboni, both struggling with minor knocks.