Inter Milan - Preview

Watford's preparations for the new season continue this evening with an eagerly anticipated pre-season friendly meeting with Inter Milan.

The Italian giants, managed by Roberto Mancini, come to Vicarage Road having been recently named as Champions of Serie A, after Juventus had unceremoniously been stripped out their title following the much publicised match-fixing scandal that has swept through Italy during the summer.

The Milan club has, like Watford, strengthened their squad considerably during the close season, recently signing two players who are familiar to every English Football supporter.

Patrick Vieira joined from Juventus last week, a fall out from their demotion to Serie B following the afore mentioned match-fixing, having previously plied his trade for nine wonderful years at Premiership neighbours, Arsenal, while Argentine superstar, Hernan Crespo is an even more recent acquisition, agreeing a transfer to his wife's homeland after leaving English champions, Chelsea in a two-year deal yesterday.

Whether these two ‘greats' of the modern game actually appear at Vicarage Road remain to be seen, but Mancini's side are sure to be star studded nevertheless, with the likes of the Brazilian, Adrianno and Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso, both of whom played in the recent World Cup, having been named in a strong 22 man squad.

The Inter Milan manager has intriguing, also not ruled out the possibility of adding further players to the named squad and Marco Materazzi and Fabio Grosso, the former scored Italy's goal against France during normal time in the World Cup Final, the latter the winning penalty in the shoot-out, may also figure at some stage of proceedings.

The fixture also gives Watford boss, Aidy Boothroyd a further opportunity to gauge how his side is shaping up with the start of the Barclays Premiership now only eleven days away.

Danny Shittu has been added to the squad following his £1.6m arrival from Queens Park Rangers at the weekend, while for many, the expected appearances at some time during the game of Chris Powell and Damien Francis, will in all probability, be the first time many Golden Boys fans has seen them in a Watford shirt!

It promises to be a fantastic evening, and with prices set at just £15 for Adults, £5 for Over 65's /Under 16's in all areas of the ground, why not indulge yourself and call the ticket office on 0870 111 1881 today to guarantee your place amongst the ‘greats'.

You would be crazy not too!