Towards Cagliari: Pandev and Samuel doubtful

There is still some doubts in the starting line-up for Sunday's midday away fixture at Cagliari. Coach Benitez will surely have to find a solution to the certain impossibility to field Milito and Cambiasso. The major question mark though is connected to the forward positions, Goran Pandev is still suffering from an injury collected in a tackle against Totti in the Roma game, today's training will therefore be important to understand whether he is to be considered as available or not. If his response to a heavier workload were to prove satisfying, Benitez should have no doubt in fielding him. On the other hand, Biabiany has returned to a problem-free condition after the collision against Juventus' De Ceglie and is hence ready to return to his right wing position were Pandev to be considered unavailable. As usual, the central position is to be covered by Wesley Sneijder, one of the few players to have returned untouched by injuries from the week of international matches. To his left wonder-kid Philippe Coutinho is looking to be the third man to support the top scorer of Inter so far this season, Samuel Eto'o, who is looking to add to his 11 goals in 10 matches so far.

The delicate situation also involves the defensive sector of the team, with Ivan Cordoba out for 10-12 days, and Walter Samuel's doubtful condition since the Bari match Rafa Benitez will have to carefully select the men that are to protect Julio Cesar's goal. Just as for Pandev, Samuel is to be subject to heavier workloads to see if he is to be considered match-fit. Were he not to make it, Benitez will most likely field Chivu and Lucio in the centre with Davide Santon to cover the Romanian's left-back position.

On a final note, Thiago Motta has been working well for the past few weeks and his knee is giving the desired response to the effort it has been put under. In the centre of the park though, we shall most likely see the return of captain Javier Zanetti next to Serbian star Stankovic. Ex-Genoa Motta is therefore looking to complete his cures in the coming days, as so to be in condition to play either Wednesday against Tottenham in the Champions League or, at most, against Sampdoria next weekend. His condition combined with the recovery of Pandev and Samuel are the only causes for a smile on Benitez's face, who is having to deal with a run of bad luck when it comes to injuries.