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When the 13th installment of Serie A gets underway this weekend, all the cacophony surrounding the gameweek will be about Roma and Inter Milan as the two Italy behemoths are all set to go head-to-head at Stadio Olympico in a crunch game.While Roma are second, only to Juventus, with 28 points, their adversaries on the weekend are languishing in 9th place, with a mere 17 points from 12 games. We take a look at the combined XI of both the teams based on their performances in the ongoing season in a 4-3-3 formation.
#1 Goalkeeper : Morgan de Sanctis
Having surrendered a meagre 3 goals in 900 minutes of playing time, Roma shot-stopper Morgan de Sanctis easily outclasses his Inter Milan counter-part Samir Handanovic, to warrant a place in this list.
The 36-year old Italy international has been absolutely sensational between the sticks for the Romans this season and has exasperated opposition strikers to the gills with his splendid dexterity.
Although Sanctis was at the receiving end of grievous animadversions for his dismal show in the 7-1 shellacking at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the former Juventus and Napoli goalkeeper has once again mustered his rich vein of form and seems unbreachable at the moment.
#2 Left-back: Juan Jesus
The Belo Horizonte native inherited the iconic No.5 shirt from Inter Milan legend Dejan Stankovic and has been the undisputed No.1 choice in the left-back position for the Nerazzurris ever since he arrived at San Siro.
The 23-year old forged a fierce defensive partnership with Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel in the 3-5-2 formation under Walter Mazzarri and had thrived to become one of the most formidable defenders in Serie A.
Jesus has been a colossal figure for La Baneamata this season as well, having appeared in every match and his remarkable contributions in helping Inter ascend up the table, trumps his Roma counter-part Ashley Cole in this elite catalogue.
#3 Centre-back: Andrea Ranocchia
Considered as former Inter centre-back Marco Materazzi’s doppelganger, the Nerazzurri defender succeeded Inter Milan veteran Javier Zanetti for the captaincy and has, so far, been exceptional in his role.
The 26-year-old moved to San Siro in the autumn of 2010 after some impressive spells with minnows Genoa and Bari and has now firmly planted himself as one of the key players for Inter.
The Italy international has marshalled the backline with utmost staunchness and also vaunts the ability to read the game well. He has also garnered umpteen plaudits for his sublime aerial prowess.
Long story short, Ranocchia is the complete package.
#4 Centre-back: Kostas Manolas
The Greek international was a principal figure in Olympiakos’ league title triumph last season and has certainly carried his nimbleness with him to AS Roma this year.
The 23-year old may have bats in his belfry, but the Naxos native has made an encouraging start to life in Italy and has integrated in the squad very well.
Manolas is comfortable with the ball and his emergence as one of the finest fullbacks has undermined the chances of Ashley Cole and Mapou Yanga-Mbiva, who all take a claim for the same role.
The £13.5 million that the capital club shelled out to acquire his services, has turned out to be quite a bargain for them.
#5 Right-back: Maicon
The ageing Brazilian star shifted his base to Rome last summer after a season-long bench warming with Manchester City, the year before. Now, a season down the line, he has already ensconced himself as one of the chief players in Rudi Garcia’s machinations, acting as a nexus between the defence and the midfield.
The 33-year old is adept at keeping possession and exudes great composure on the ball. The Brazilian has averaged 2.8 tackles per game this season and has also garnered an impressive whoscored rating of 7.14 .
From marauding down the right flank to serve an additional strike force for the Giallorossi to simultaneously get back and cover his defensive duties, Maicon has exhibited exemplary work rate and has been a revelation.
#6 Left-midfielder:Joel Obi
The Nigerian international espied the eye of Jose Mourinho, who landed him at San Siro, 4 years ago. Following an impressive season long loan spell at Parma in 2012, the 23-year-old was called back to Inter last summer.
Obi, this season, has come on as a substitute on several ocassions, but has managed to show glimpses of his nimbleness despite the intermittence. His strike against AC Milan in the local derby last weekend that secured a point for the Nerazurris, bears a testament to the same.
The versatile youngster can play across the midfield and his services in the crunch game against Roma this weekend are just as crucial.
#7 Central midfielder: Miralem Pjanic
The cliched well oiled Roman machine is married with a bit of tempestuous talents, namely Miralem Pjanic. Take out the cog, and the springs pop out of very orifice. Such is the vitality of this Bosnian to La Maggica.
Pjanic’s impressive performances with the Ligue 1 outfit Olympic Lyon caught the site of Roma head-honcho Rudi Garcia, who wasted no time in signing him up. With 3 seasons under his belt, he has established himself as one of the best midfielders of Serie A.
His penchant to venture forward adds to Roma’s striking option and is adroit at long range shots and lethal in set piece situations.
The 24-year old's flair and the ability to read the game from the centre of the park might just turn out to be the difference of the game.
#8 Right-midfielder: Radja Nainggolan
One of the big match players of Roma, the Belgian international has made vital contributions to the team with his industry against fancy opponents and has been a regular starter ever since he moved to the Italian capital, 10 months ago.
Holding on to the ball and making key passes are some of his forte and his proclivity to drift between the defence and midfield has made him an additional option for the defensive vanguard of Roma.
#9 Left winger: Rodrigo Palacio
The twinkle-toed Argentine helped Inter Milan finish 5th in the league last season with his 17 strikes and was the joint third in the list of highest goal-getters of last season’s Serie A with Antonio di Natale of Udinese and compatriot Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli.
The 32-year-old had also played an influential role in Argentina's runners-up finish in the Word Cup this year.
A clinical finisher and lethal in set-pieces, Palacio has racked-up 2 assists in the league and now has a great chance to break his duck in the league when he will take the field against Roma this weekend.
Age may eventually catch-up with him, but Palacio has reinstated as one of the fundamental part of Inter squad, who are aiming to revive themselves in Europe.
#10 Right winger: Gervinho
The indefatigable Ivorian has made Arsenal lament their decision to offload him with some flawless performances with the Guillarosis.
Having endured a torrid time at the footballing mega-event in Brazil earlier this year, Gervinho has exorcised all the ghosts of the World Cup and has revived himself sufficiently to get back on track for his club side.
A pace that is redolent of the Marvel action figure, Flash and grit that is evocative of a greyhound, the 27-year-old has brought more tenacity and zest to Roma’s attack and will once again be the fulcrum of his sides offensive set-up.
#11 Central forward: Mauro Icardi
Ostracizing someone of Francesco Totti’s ilk is nothing but criminal, but when he goes head-to-head with this boisterous Internazionale forward, the latter holds the edge over him, currently.
Icardi has been phenomenal upfront, bagging 8 goals and an assist in 11 league appearances and has almost single-handedly lifted his side from the mid-table conundrum.
The 23-year-old is a reliable source of goals, and plausibly so, will be the cynosure of Inter’s attack for the vital fixture.
