Bologna have their work cut out to contain Inter Milan on Serie As restart

Bologna v Inter Milan, Serie A, August 30, 2010

Bologna 6.19; Draw 3.61; Inter Milan 1.65

Anyone who tuned in for the European Super Cup would be thinking that this may be a tough year for Inter. After hitting the highest of heights under Jose Mourinho scooping an unprecedented cup, league and Champions League treble, notoriously pourous Atletico Madrid beat them 2-nil in the Stade Louis II in Monaco.

But its important to keep things in context. After years of domestic dominance following the Calciopoli affair, Inter Milan have become the solo superpower in Serie A and there is little to suggest that Rafa Benitezs men wont be the pacesetters again this term. (Inter are 1.35 favourites to win the Scudetto for the 7th straight season.)

The Spanish waiter has inherited a terrific squad. Inter boast one of the strongest sides on the globe with Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito Samuel Etoo, Maicon, and relentless Javier Zanetti in their ranks in a star-studded line-up. And theyve gone about freshening up their squad too this summer in some significant deals.

Bad-boy Mario Balotelli has moved to Eastlands, and besides the lovely lolly scooped by the Nerazzurri it feels like a dark cloud has been lifted over the San Siro. Other players to leave Inter this summer included much-hyped but little end product duo Marco Arnautovic and Ricardo Quaresma.

In their place, the hugely promising bouchy-haired Philippe Coutinho has been brought in from Vasco da Gama. While pinning weighty expectations on a 18-year-old head is never an advisable thing to do, playermaker Coutinho put in some sparkling pre-season performances for Inter and looks like a serious talent in the forthcoming years. In truth Coutinho, much like returning striker Jonathan Biabiany (who had a succe! ssful la st season at Parma), should remain on the periphery for much of the year considering the vast array on talent on Inters books, but what is important to recognise is that the rejuvenation process is in constant motion at Inter as they look like going from strength to strength.

The European Super Cup showed however that Inter can fall prey to teams with pacey and tricky forwards. The likes of Ivan Cordabo and Cristian Chivu at the back are no longer spring chickens, and Juan Antonio Reyes in particular was able to successfully penetrate the Scudetto champions rearguard on a couple of occasions.

But take that ageism issue with a large pinch of salt. Yes, against the best teams in world football Inter may have some cracks which could be exploited. But the likes of Bologna are undoubtedly not on that level, and it would be a major shock if Inter were to slip up at the Stadio Renato DallAra on Monday night.

If anything, Franco Colomba will only have one objective for his Bologna team this season. Stay up. After narrowly avoiding the drop last season finishing one place above the drop zone, lofty aspirations are way outside the Rossoblus remit. The name of the game is simply survival.

So can Bologna at least compete with Inter in matchday one? (2.16 for a Bologna win or a draw.)

The beauty about opening weekends is that the slate is by definition completely clean. Moreover Bologna can be slightly more optimistic this season have boosting their attacking options, which was a huge problem last season as they recorded the second lowest goalscoring tally in the Italian top flight.

Evergreen striker Marco Di Vaio remains at the mainstay up-front, while hes been joined by former Real Betis 19-year-old whippersnapper Manu Gavilan in the attack. Bologna have also gone about refreshing their midfield; ex-Juventus youngster Albin Ekdal is a hugely exciting talent known for his forward-thinking style and ability to strike the target, while arguably their signing of the summer was 20-yea! r-old ex -Inter midfielder Rene Krhin. Krhin, a classic ball-playing central midfielder, was only used sparingly last season by Mourinho and his transfer to Bologna appears to be an encouraging sign that the young Russian is willing to graft at less comfortable circumstances in order to develop his game and blossom.

While Bologna hoped to have boosting their attack, at the other end of the pitch they have a serious talent too. Goalie Emiliano Viviano is widely considered as one of the best Italian keepers coming of age, with the 6ft 5in monster knowing exactly how to use his huge body to shut-out opponents.

Backing Bologna to win though looks foolish. In the past 13 matches between the sides Inter have won 12 and drawn just once, with Bologna having last claimed victory back in 2002 and before that they last won in 1999. Last seasons aggregate scores between the sides was 6-1 to Inter, and another accomplished and confident Inter victory is expected this Monday night too.

101gg predicts: Bologna 1 Inter Milan 3 (13.58)

Bologna 6.19; Draw 3.61; Inter Milan 1.65

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