MILAN (Stats provided by Football Data) - Claudio Ranieri is facing an old foe in Emiliano Mondonico: on 18 May 1996, Fiorentina, with the current Nerazzurri coach at the helm, beat Mondonico's Atalanta 0-2 in Bergamo in the return leg of the Coppa Italia final, to bring a trophy back to Florence for the first time in 21 years. The Viola celebrations went on until 4 in the morning, with the Franchi open to acclaim the team upon their return from Bergamo.
There have been 10 previous competitive meetings between these two coaches: Ranieri leads Mondonico 4-2 in wins, and there have been with 4 draws. Their last match-up was on 2 February 1997: 0-0 in Florence between Ranieri's Fiorentina and Mondonico's Atalanta.
Inter are joint top this season (with Napoli) for the most goals scored at the end of the first half: between the 31st and the 45th minute (including added time) they have hit the net 8 times. In that same quarter of an hour, Novara have the leakiest defence in the league, with 11 goals let in.
Inter and Novara - along with ChievoVerona and AC Milan - currently hold the record for most goals scored through substitutes in Serie A 2011/12. 5 goals have been scored by Nerazzurri coming off the bench: Milito (2), Cambiasso, Castagnois and Faraoni (1 apiece); Novara's scorers have been Morimoto (2), Gemiti, Jeda and Mazzarani (1 each).
Inter and Novara share another record this term: they are among five teams to have only had one 0-0 so far, along with Catania, Genoa and Roma. The Nerazzurri's only scoreless draw was on 17 September against Roma at the Meazza, while Novara's came last Sunday against Cagliari.
Novara haven't recorded a Serie A victory since 26 November, when they overcame Parma 2-1 at the Stadio Piola. Their 10 matches since then have produced 3 draws and 7 defeats, which is the Piedmontese outfit's longest winless run this season.
Novara are one of three teams yet to have won a match on the road in the 2011/12 season: in their away matches in the league this term, they have managed just 2 draws and 8 defeats. The other two sides without an away victory are Palermo and Siena. Novara last won away from home in a league fixture on 21 May when they beat Pescara 1-2 in Serie B.
