Cesena vs Inter Milan preview - Nagatomo focused ahead of Cesena return

Posted Sunday, December 18, 2011 by PA

Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo admits he will have to put emotions to one side when he faces his former club Cesena on Sunday.

The Japan international will return to Cesena for the first time since leaving the Dino Manuzzi stadium in January to join Inter.

"It's going to be a very special game for me as I am emotionally tied to the club and to Cesena fans," Nagatomo said.

"But I will have to put that behind me as I will do everything possible to score my third consecutive goal on Sunday."

Nagatomo has proved inspirational for Inter in recent weeks.

He scored his first goal of the campaign in his team's 2-0 triumph at Fiorentina at the weekend.

He then headed in the winner in Tuesday's 1-0 triumph at Genoa - Inter's fourth win in their last five league games.

The result allowed Claudio Ranieri's side to climb to sixth in the standings, 10 points behind league leaders Juventus.

"I am really delighted," Nagatomo said.

"I had never scored two goals in the space of three days. But it's not going to end here.

"I want to score more goals, starting on Sunday.

"But the important thing is that we continue to win and climb up in the standings."

Rivals Cesena will be no pushovers after ending Palermo's perfect record at home with a 1-0 win last time out.

That was their third win in four games and marked their first success on the road this season.

The result lifted Cesena to 18th place, just two points behind safety.

"We have recovered self-esteem and belief in recent weeks," former Inter Milan forward Adrian Mutu said.

"We are in good form and it's going to be a great match."

Mutu will lead Cesena's attack hoping to score his 100th Serie A goal on Sunday.

The Romanian forward is one goal shy of that feat.

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