Inter travel to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to face Bologna this Tuesday 27 October 2015 in the midweek matchday 10 of the Serie A season (kick off 20:45 CET).
Inter come into this game on the back of their third draw in a row against Palermo (1-1) on Saturday night. It was a performance that really summed up coach Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge of the Nerazzurri, and that is Jekyll and Hyde.
Hugely disappointing in the first half as Mancini changed formation yet again and made four changes to the team that drew against Juventus a week previously. In the second half it took Biabiany to come on to make Inter look anywhere near dangerous. Add to that the creativity or rather lack of which is wasting the talent of Icardi but there is hope after Ljajic came on as a sub and created three chances in his 16 minutes on the pitch.
After the weekend’s round of fixtures Inter sit in 4th place in the Serie A table, joint on 18 points with Napoli (2nd), Fiorentina (3rd) and Lazio (5th), two points behind leaders Roma.
Bologna come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win away at Carpi which broke a four match losing streak with losses coming against Palermo (0-1), Juventus (3-1), Udinese (2-1) and Fiorentina (2-0).
It has been a difficult start to the season for Delio Rossi’s side following their promotion from Serie B last season with only two wins since their return against Carpi and Frosinone (1-0) and the rest of their matches lost including losing their first three games of the season against Lazio (2-1), Sassuolo (0-1) and Sampdoria (2-0).
Bologna’s difficulties see them sit in 18th place in the Serie A table on six points and with Delio Rossi on the brink of losing his job.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport:
Roberto Mancini is expected to rotate his squad slightly ahead of their second away match in three days.
Samir Handanovic starts in goal with Davide Santon expected to replace Yuto Nagatomo at right back. In central defence Jeison Murillo is suspended after being unjustly sent off against Palermo so Gary Medel drops back from midfield to partner Joao Miranda. At left back Juan Jesus could also replace Alex Telles.
In midfield Marcelo Brozovic could start on the right with Ivan Perisic expected to keep his place on the left. In central midfield Felipe Melo is expected to start despite being a booking away from suspension, alongside Geoffrey Kondogbia who is really struggling to adapt to Italian football.
Up top Stevan Jovetic is expected to partner captain Mauro Icardi with the Montenegrin playing slightly deeper.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-4-1-1) Handanovic, Santon, Medel, Miranda, Juan Jesus, Brozovic, Melo, Kondogbia, Perisic, Jovetic, Icardi (C)
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Telles, Montoya, Ranocchia, Nagatomo, Guarin, Gnoukouri, Palacio, Biabiany, Ljajic, Manaj
Some Stats:
In the Serie A records Inter and Bologna have met at the Stadio Dall’Ara 76 times with Bologna leading the stats with 34 wins to Inter’s 28 wins with 14 matches drawn.
Overall in Serie A Inter and Bologna have played each other 151 times with Inter leading the way with 70 wins to Bologna’s 45 wins with 36 matches drawn.
In all competitions Inter and Bologna have played each other 172 times with Inter winning 82 of them matches compared to Bologna’s 51 wins with 39 draws.
The last time the sides met at the Dall’Ara in Serie A was on 24 November 2013 with the match finishing in a 1-1 draw with goals from Kone for Bologna and Jonathan for Inter.
Inter’s last win at the Dall’Ara in Serie A came on 28 October 2012 with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Ranocchia, Milito and Cambiasso.
Player to Watch: Felipe Melo – The Brazilian will be walking a tightrope with being one booking away from suspension and could possibly miss the game against Roma on Saturday but he could be a big help to Kondogbia who is really struggling to adapt to Serie A.
My Prediction: Bologna 0-1 Inter
Scorer: Jovetic
Officials: Referee: Luca Banti Assistants: La Rocca, Posado
Fourth official: Peretti Additional Assistants: Celi, Mariani
Author’s Note: If Inter can’t beat a Bologna side that has only won twice this season then they have no place in challenging for a Scudetto or Champions League qualification in all honesty. Mancini needs to stop experimenting with his line ups and formations every week and get back to winning ways or else fans and the media will start pointing fingers. Sort it out Mancio!
Forza Inter!