Inter Milan vs Genoa preview - Leonardo on brink of record

Posted Sunday, March 06, 2011 by PA

Internazionale president Massimo Moratti has showered praise on his manager Leonardo ahead of the match against Genoa.

The Nerazzurri have won 10 of their 12 Serie A games since Leonardo replaced Rafael Benitez at the helm earlier this year.

A victory would see Leonardo break a record for most points taken by a coach in Italy's top flight in his first 13 games in charge of the team.

England manager Fabio Capello holds the current mark after leading Juventus to 32 points in the 2004-05 campaign.

"Since the month of January, the team has done really well," Moratti said.

"I am extremely proud of what the players and Leonardo have done.

"I hope they can continue to do well, showing the same determination that they have displayed in recent months.

"I want to thank them for what they have done considering the difficult situation we faced at the end of 2010."

Inter were 13 points adrift of Milan when they dismissed Benitez and brought in Leonardo.

Leonardo's men, who clinched their third straight win last time out against Sampdoria, went into this round of games in second place behind league leaders Milan.

"We are five points behind and we have to do our job and hope Milan lose points," Moratti said.

"In football, anything can happen."

Genoa will not be at full strength tomorrow with Domenico Criscito, Miguel Veloso and Floro Flores all suspended.

The only consolation for coach Davide Ballardini is that defender Abdoulay Konko has shaken off a muscular injury and could start against the Nerazzurri.

The Grifoni go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Catania.

The result halted a run of four games without defeat for Genoa and dropped the Liguria outfit to 10th in the standings.

Leonardo will be without former Genoa defender Andrea Ranocchia, who has failed to recover from a knee problem.

Moreover, Argentina striker Diego Milito is still sidelined through injury but the hosts will be bolstered by the return of Dejan Stankovic.

The Serbian midfielder missed last weekend's match with the flu.