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FORMULA FOR THE LACK OF GOALS

Pazzini dry for 40 days, a month for Milito

Rain of goals against Julio Cesar: will it change with the 4-4-2?

Appiano Gentile - Julio has not seen the zero behind him ever since January 15.  Zero goals conceded.  Il Pazzo leaped in the air the last time on January 22 and February 1 for Il Principe: lack of goals.  In their own way, all three need to have a breakthrough and they need it soon.  Just like Ranieri said: "The problem is to find goals and be careful in the defense."  Exactly.

Three The three are Julio Cesar, Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini and this current period is sorta like Lent that was so rough and obvious.  Statistics show that Julio Cesar had collected at least one goal a game for four straight games in the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.  Eight games in a row like today (seven if one only considers the league) no, never: including the Champions League, Julio Cesar has been acting as a "ball boy" continuously since January 22 (Inter 2-1 Lazio), hoping that the last chapter at the San Paolo (Napoli 1-0 Inter) would be the last one.  In total, eight games with 16 goals allowed.  In the league, seven games and 15 goals allowed. 

Pazzo-Milito: yes and no Now let's address the fasting of both Milito and Pazzini.  In that seven game winning streaks, both were two absolute emperors.  Seven consecutive wins, four goals for Pazzini and five for Milito.  Then - gradually but not immediately - both are now stop scoring.  The fact is that Pazzini's last goal was the lob over Lazio goalkeeper Marchetti and for Milito, it was the quadruplet against the Rosanero on February 1.  In their history, Il Pazzo once lived through a 18 game streak without scoring while Milito, it was 10 games (last season).

Only one And in all of this, Ranieri wants to spice up his 4-4-2 by playing Forlan wide left.  Far away from the goal.  For the Uruguyan only one goal so far which took place in first game of the season against Palermo.  Six months ago. 

Restart today? Today, the Nerazzurri will play against Catania at the Meazza, a game to most people is considered to be the final exam for Claudio Ranieri as his future could very well be depended on this very match.  The club is also on the verge of breaking three historical records in losing streak, consecutive games without scoring a goal and consecutive games with at least one goal allowed.

Opposite in form Inter have lost their last five matches in Serie A without scoring a goal.  The current streak is at 471 minutes and if Catania can resist up until the fifth minute in the second half, then that streak will be extended to 520 minutes and that would be the longest in its history.  So will all the negative records continue under Claudio Ranieri.  The first meeting between Inter and Catania this season ended with a 2-1 victory over the Nerazzurri.  Catania have been in good form as their last two matches ended in two victories: the 3-1 victory over Novara and 1-0 against Siena.  They also beat Genoa 4-0 and drew with Roma in their recent matches.  Out of the last five matches, they only lost once and it was to Juventus.

Injuries Both teams will be without some players due to injuries.  Claudio Ranieri should be without Ranocchia, Alvarez and Guarin.  All three are still out for two more weeks.  For Catania, Campagnolo and Potenza will not be able to make it.  Can we finally get a win and end this nightmare of a streak?

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport