This weekend Inter travel to Genoa to face Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday 4 October (kick off 15:00 CET) in matchday 7 of the 2015/16 Serie A season.
Inter come into this game after losing their 100% win record against Fiorentina in a 4-1 loss at the San Siro last weekend. It was a loss made far worse by the fact that the game was basically over as a contest as early as the 30th minute with three goals conceded and Joao Miranda sent off.
A lot of individual errors were on show and it looked to be caused by Roberto Mancini’s bonehead idea to test out a three man defence yet again which has had Inter fans asking themselves: When will Mancini learn?
That loss against Fiorentina saw the Viola overtake Inter at the top of Serie A on goal difference with both sides now on 15 points after six matches.
Sampdoria come into this game on the back of a defeat away at Atalanta 2-1 on Monday night but will be boosted by the fact that they are taking on Inter at home as the Blucherchiati have a 100% win record at home after wins against Roma (2-1), Bologna (2-0) and Carpi (5-2).
With only one point achieved on the road away at Napoli (2-2), Sampdoria currently sit in 9th place in the Serie A table on 10 points.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport:
The latest news is that Inter coach Roberto Mancini could experiment again with a 3-4-3 formation as he has been working on a 3 man defence all week during training.
Ideally rather than using his bench, Mancini wants the team to be able to adapt on the pitch to a 4-2-3-1 formation if things aren’t working out with the 3-4-3 set up.
In goals Samir Handanovic starts and will want to do better after a horrible start to the match last weekend against Fiorentina.
In the three man defence we could see Jeison Murillo, who is back from injury, partnered with Andrea Ranocchia and the returning Juan Jesus. Joao Miranda misses out through suspension after his red card last weekend.
The wide men of the 4 man midfield could be Davide Santon on the left and Jonathan Biabiany, who could make his Inter starting debut, on the right. It is thought that Santon could fall back to make a four man defence during the game.
In central midfield is expected the partnership of Brazilian Felipe Melo and Gary Medel who has played at centre back mostly this season.
The attacking trident is expected to contain Ivan Perisic, Adem Ljajic and captain Mauro Icardi. Stevan Jovetic will miss the game through injury despite receiving a call up by his country this week.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (3-4-3) Handanovic, Murillo, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Santon, Melo, Medel, Biabiany, Perisic, Ljajic, Icardi (C)
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Telles, Montoya, D’Ambrosio, Nagatomo, Popa, Kondogbia, Guarin, Gnoukouri, Brozovic, Palacio, Manaj
Some Stats:
Inter have met Sampdoria in Serie A a total of 116 times with Inter leading with 62 wins to Sampdoria’s 18 wins with 36 drawn.
At the Stadio Ferraris Inter still lead the way in the Serie A meetings with 27 wins to Sampdoria’s 11 wins with 20 matches drawn.
In the two meetings between the teams last season Inter won once and Sampdoria won once with Inter winning at the San Siro 1-0 (Icardi) and Sampdoria winning in Genoa 1-0 (Eder).
Sampdoria’s Brazilian born Italian international Eder currently leads the way in the capo-cannoniere standings with 6 goals in 6 matches.
Both coaches will face their former employers as players with Roberto Mancini and Walter Zenga considered legends for Sampdoria and Inter respectively during their playing careers.
Player to Watch: Mauro Icardi – The Argentine returns to his former club with 3 goals in 3 matches against Sampdoria.
My Prediction: Sampdoria 1-1 Inter
Scorers: Eder (Sampdoria), Icardi (Inter)
Officials: Referee: Gianluca Rocchi Assistants: Barbirati, Marzaloni
Fourth Official: Preti Additional Assistants: Orsato, Candussio
Author’s Note: I fear for Inter should Roberto Mancini continue to experiment with a 3 man defence. We saw the disaster last weekend against Fiorentina and I feel like this could be the same. I hope for a win but both sides seem similar and I think they could cancel each other out. It’s as simple as this: if Inter start with a 3-4-3 formation and lose again in the manner they did last week then it won’t take long for the fans to start pointing the finger at the coach.
Sort it out Roberto!
Forza Inter!