Chievo vs Inter Milan preview - Ranieri seeks confidence boost
Posted Friday, March 09, 2012 by PA
Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri hopes the game at Chievo will mark a turning point for his struggling side.
The Nerazzurri go into the encounter at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium on the back of last weekend's 2-2 draw against Catania.
The result ended a five-match losing run for Inter in all competitions but left them winless in nine games.
"This hasn't been a good season for Inter," Ranieri said. "If we win then it will be a good omen.
"We have 70 days to turn this situation around. We just have to work hard and have that extra determination in order to turn this negative trend around."
Ranieri insists his players should not focus on the team's current position in the standings.
Inter are seventh, 11 points behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
"We just have to concentrate on winning to get on track again and only on that," he said.
A win would be a big boost in confidence for Inter in view of next week's Champions League last-16 return leg against Marseille.
The Nerazzurri welcome the French side to the San Siro needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the opening leg.
Chievo held Juventus to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
Moreover, the men from Verona have taken seven points of a possible nine in their last three league games and their good run of form has seen them climb to 10th place, three points behind Inter.
Ranieri knows Chievo will be no pushovers.
"Chievo know how to play well and they showed it in Turin last weekend," he said.
"We expect a difficult game in Verona."
Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo is confident his side can keep up their good run of form.
"My team has room for improvement," Di Carlo said. "We don't want to settle for just avoiding the drop this season.
"We are playing well and showing plenty of focus.
"I'm confident we can do well against Inter but we must remain humble and know we face a very difficult test this weekend."
Inter will be without suspended striker Luc Castaignos but welcome back midfielder Dejan Stankovic from injury.
Wesley Sneijder will play in support of Inter strikers Diego Forlan and Diego Milito.
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