Inter's riches set to rotate for Roma clash

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Milan, Aug 16: Champions Inter Milan are expected to bring back David Suazo, Luis Figo and Cristian Chivu for Sunday's Super Cup against cup holders AS Roma.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira were among others rested for Inter's friendly tournament victory over AC Milan and Juventus on Tuesday but look set to play in the season's curtain raiser at the San Siro.

Honduran striker Suazo, bought from Cagliari in the close season, has particularly impressed with his goals in preseason while vibrant Luis Figo has vindicated his decision to turn his back on semi-retirement in the Gulf and stay at Inter.

But Inter's resources are so huge that they were not needed for Tuesday's triangular tournament, during which South Americans Alvaro Recoba and Luis Jimenez stood out.

Neither player was expected to be in contention for a regular starting place.

''The fact that I have choices ahead of the Super Cup is very positive,'' Inter coach Roberto Mancini told the club Web site (www.inter.it).

''The team is in form and we don't have any problems in particular. There are those who are ahead and further behind in terms of general condition, but this is a normal situation at this stage of the season.'' Roma can only dream of Inter's riches and coach Luciano Spalletti has said they need more recruits to even have a chance of competing in the coming season, which starts on Aug 25.

The loss of Romania defender Chivu to Inter has hurt last season's runners-up but Italian media has said they are close to a deal with Real Madrid for Brazil right back Cicinho.

Roma went 2-0 up against Juve in a friendly last Saturday but eventually went down 5-2 in a match which again highlighted their over-reliance on striker Francesco Totti.

REUTERS >