After the mauling at the Marassi last week, the Nerazzurri come back home to face bottom-of-the-table Benevento in the hope of picking up the pieces from this car crash of a mid-season. Match on Saturday at 20:45CET
Team News
While Mauro Icardi seems to have finally recovered from his injury, he will be expected to start the match on the bench. Both Ivan Perisic and Joao Miranda are probably going to miss the match due to injury, to be replaced by Yann Karamoh and Andrea Ranocchia respectively.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-2-3-1) Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia (C), Skriniar, Cancelo; Gagliardini, Vecino; Karamoh, Rafinha, Candreva; Eder
Stats
Last Season: Not played, Benevento in B
Last 10 Head to Head: This is Benevento’s debut season in the Serie A, and so, there is no historical record between both sides to speak of.
Keep an Eye on
Rafinha: It seems certain that the attacking midfielder will be given a starting position as trequartista behind Eder(or Icardi). The ex-Barcelona player has been one of the few bright spots in the torrid run of the past couple of months. Rafinha is one of the few players that has some genuine game-changing attributes to offer the squad. If his fitness allows, he can be the difference-maker on Saturday night.
Officials
Refereree: Luca Pairetto
Assistants: Santoro, Longo
Fourth Official: Sacchi
Additional Assistants: Maresca, Fiorito
Prediction & Authors Note
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2 – 0 Benevento Eder and Karamoh on the scoresheet.
Author’s Note: The words “must win” have been said frequently this season, but never more meaningfully than in reference to this match. With Milan facing Roma this matchweek, Inter can have the chance to both record a morale boosting win ahead of the Derby and possibly return to a Champions League position in one match.