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Zanetti confident for Milan derby
MILAN, Italy (Reuters) -- Inter Milan will try to avenge last season's Champions League semi-final defeat by AC Milan when they face their city rivals in Sunday's Serie A match. AC Milan went on to be crowned European champions following an "away goals" semifinal win over Inter in May after two closely contested matches at the San Siro stadium shared by the two clubs. Inter also lost both last season's league derby games 1-0 and have not beaten Milan as the "home side" since an Italian Cup match in January 1998. Inter's Argentine captain Javier Zanetti expects a better outcome this time. "We are stronger because we are a more complete side," said Zanetti, whose team are fifth on eight points, two less than joint leaders AC Milan, after four games. "We have more choices available to us and we have two players for each role. "Believe me we have a group of lads here who will get excellent results. There is a cohesion that I haven't seen before and that is fundamental," he added. Hector Cuper's side are boosted by the return of Christian Vieri to their attack -- the Italy striker marked his comeback from three weeks out with a calf injury by grabbing the last-minute winner in Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev. But they will again be without central defender Marco Materazzi with former Fiorentina stopper Daniele Adani expected to stand-in as Inter look to keep a fifth consecutive clean sheet. AC Milan have striker Filippo Inzaghi back to full fitness and he is expected to partner Andriy Shevchenko in attack with Ancelotti facing his usual dilemma over whom to select as his attacking midfielder. Rivaldo, who was poised to leave Milan last week, is expected to be on the bench after playing for half an hour in the Champions League draw in Spain this week. Impressive startChampions Juventus continued their impressive start to the season with victory at Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday and two-goal hero Pavel Nedved will again operate in an advanced role behind Marco Di Vaio and David Trezeguet at home to Bologna, who may draft in midfielder Tomas Locatelli. Siena have been the most impressive of the four promoted teams so far this season but leaders Roma will provide a real test of their solidity at the back. Roma are sparkling again and the front three of Francesco Totti, Vincenzo Montella and Antonio Cassano look the most impressive forward line in the league after grabbing 12 goals in four games. Copyright 2003 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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