The new season is upon us, and the revamped Nerazzurri open with challenging match against Fiorentina at San Siro. Match on Sunday at 20:45 CET.
It is difficult to remember a summer where so much business has occurred between Inter and Fiorentina, and come Sunday night, three protagonists will be making their official debuts for their clubs against their previous employer; Borja Valero and Matias Vecino for Inter and Stefano Pioli for the Viola.
While Inter fans welcome the new season with understandable scepticism and trepidation, their concerns about the new season are dwarfed by those of their Florentine counterparts who have lost the side’s manager and architect of their previous project along with two midfield protagonists and seem on track to lose their star striker as well. Pioli’s Fiorentina are still a bit of an unknown quantity, especially with the potential of not having striker Nikola Kalinic at their disposal. However, expect the Viola to try and implement Pioli’s aggressive and high pressing tactics.
Spaletti’s Inter have had a very promising preseason, and with the exception of the straight swaps (upgrades) of manpower on the pitch, it appears that the tactics will not vary much from those implemented by Pioli last season during their successful midseason run. Mauro Icardi will continue to be the focal point of attack and will be flanked by Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic. The biggest changes are in the midfield where Borja Valero will become the orchestrator and Vecino will slot in next to Roberto Gagliardini to sit in front of defence to give the side its backbone and transitional abilities.
Team News
As the Geoffrey Kondogbia transfer saga continues to unfold he remains frozen out of the squad. Injuries to the defensive comical trio of Andrea Ranocchia, Yuto Nagatomo and Davide Santon will thankfully keep them out of Spaletti’s consideration, otherwise he will have a full squad at his disposal.
Probable Inter line-up (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; Dalbert, Miranda, Skriniar, D’Ambrosio; Vecino, Gagliardini; Perisic, Valero, Candreva; Icardi (C)
Stats
Last Season: Inter 4-2 Fiorentina
Last 10 Head to Head: In the last ten matches between the two sides, no draws have been recorded. Fiorentina slightly edge Inter with six wins to the Nerazzurri’s four.
Keep an Eye on
Borja Valero: With the veteran Spanish midfield orchestrate having made the switch to Inter from Fiorentina just a few weeks ago, expect him to be extra motivated to make a good first impression on his new home fans against his previous club.
Officials
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento
Assistants: Posado, Vivenzi
Fourth Official: Pairetto
Additional Assistants: Guida, Di Paolo
Prediction & final comment
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2-0 Fiorentina with Icardi and Perisic scoring.
Final comment: It is undeniable that starting the season well on a strong note against a top contender can go a long way in ensuring that the pressure is relieved off the Nerazzurri for at least a few weeks.
