Having put the mauling by perennial nemeses Atalanta behind them, the Nerazzurri look to get back to winning ways against minnows Frosinone before being thrown into one of the season’s most difficult run of games. Match on Saturday at 20:30 CET
In their respective post-match interviews, Kwadwo Asamoah and Milan Skriniar have both referred to the fiasco in Bergamo as a potentially welcome slap in the face. It is exactly this attitude that will be necessary when stepping onto the pitch on Saturday night. The players must be ready to give their all in order to return to winning ways and avoid another comical mid-season breakdown that has come to symbolize the Nerazzurri’s performances over the previous few years.
Luciano Spaletti also raised his hand to take his share of the blame for some questionable decisions post-Atalanta, and the coach will need to get all of his man motivation, tactics and team selection on point to demonstrate that his Inter are capable of true and tangible development and growth. With midfield manager Marcelo Brozovic suspended, the expectations seem to point towards a 4-3-3 formation with a midfield trio of Roberto Gagliardini, Joao Mario and Borja Valero working in a fluid manner to both link up play with the forwards and simultaneously covering the back four.
With Frosinone largely expected to sit back and defend Inter can risk going forward, while remaining alert enough and mobile enough not to be caught on the break. Against Atalanta we saw the perils of the defense not working in a synchronized manner, where the central defenders tried to defend deep and the full-backs pushing forward. Both Asamoah and D’Ambrosio need to be more in tune with how Skriniar and DiVrij are playing.
The key component to ensuring everyone is on the same page is not only for the midfield to provide sufficient cover to the central defenders but also to be able to hold the ball when in possession ably allowing the central defenders to dare a bit with the position of their line. While it is highly unlikely that the Inter midfield will be under the same sort of pressure this week, the shape and duties must be consistently be kept through all of the 90 minutes to avoid any mid-match defensive lapses.
Going forward, Keita Balde and Matteo Politano are expected to flank Mauro Icardi forming the attacking trio. It will be their duty to break down the visitors’ defenses, but a three-man attack will yield little results when hammering a defensive wall comprised of at least seven or eight players at any point in time. The midfield trio will again be needed to provide both the manpower and the passing necessary to find the way to goal. We have seen how well Joao Mario worked overloading the left flank, he will need to do the same here while Galgiadini ties up with Politano on the other side as they successfully demonstrated while on international duty.
Team News
As mentioned previously, Marcelo Brozovic is suspended due to his ridiculous sending off against Atalanta. Sime Vrsalijko and Ivan Perisic both picked up knocks on international duty and will not be available either. It seems unclear whether Spaletti will start with talisman Mauro Icardi or if he will rest the captain to ensure his fitness for the midweek Champions League show-down against Tottenham.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-3-3) Handanovic (C); D’Ambrosio, DiVrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Valero, Gagliardini, Mario; Keita, Politano, Icardi(C)
Stats
Last Season: Not played, Frosinone in B
Last 10 Head to Head: Inter have only met Frosinone twice prior to this match, in the Serie A newcomers’ debut season of 2015-16. Inter have won on both occasions.
Keep an Eye on
Matteo Politano: After having scored his first goal for Italy just one week after having scored his debut goal for the Nerazzurri, the young Italian forward will be looking to replicate his red hot form going into this difficult stretch of the season.
Officials
Referee: Luca Pairetto
Assistants: Di Vuolo, Rocca
Fourth Official: Ghersini
Additional Assistants: Mariani, Longo
Prediction & Authors Note
Prediction & scorers: Inter 3-1 Frosinone with international break stars Icardi and Politano as well as Lautaro scoring late to take all three points, Inter boy Andrea Pinamonti to score for Frosinone and a San Siro ovation.
Author’s Note: The importance of putting in a commanding performance here cannot be overstated; with a most difficult run of matches just round the corner, it is of paramount importance that Inter are able to wash away the Atalanta woes by showing the league that the result in Bergamo was nothing but a one-off fluke.
