In between the transfer market rumours and chaos in the dressing room, Inter still have games to play and tonight’s game is the quarter final round of the Coppa Italia, where Inter host Lazio. Luciano Spalletti will not only have to be a great tactician but also a great psychologist, since he needs to balance his game plan with players who aren’t distracted but the possibility of moving.
This will be a delicate task, made harder by the fact that Lazio are coming off the back of a great display against Juventus, which they lost but largely dominated. Below our colleagues at FcInterNews have previewed the clash.
Inter’s Situation – In addition to Vrsaljko, Keita Balde and De Vrij will also sit out this game. Meanwhile Cedric has recieved his first call up and can compete against D’Ambrosio for a starting shirt, although the coach has stated that his debut is more likely going to be against Bologna.
Despite the problems in defence, Spalletti has good depth, the real issues are in attack. Keita Balde is of course unavailable and Perisic is in a poor head space at the moment so he likely won’t start either, even though he returned to training with the group yesterday.
The Nerazzurri coach learnt from his experiment with the 3-5-2 in Turin and has decided to revert back to the 4-3-3, perhaps with Joao Mario playing on the left wing. There are still concerns over Radja’s fitness, so Borja Valero is ready to step in. The final decision then is between Vecino and Gagliardini but this week the Italian seems to be favoured. It should go without saying that in this formation, Icardi will be starting as a lone wolf up top.
Lazio’s Situation – Inzaghi will be without Patric, Luiz Felipe, Lukaku, Basta and Cataldi. A few changes from the match against Juventus then are expected from the Biancocelesti. Acerbi will return to the centre of defence, alongside Wallace and Radu. In midfield Lulic and Parolo are expected to be rested for Berish, Lucas and Milinkovic-Savic. Marusic and Durmisi will play in the wide postions. Finally, in attack, Inzaghi might try to partner Caicedo and Immobile.
Probable line-ups:
Inter (4-3-3): Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Miranda, Asamoah, Gagliardini, Brozovic, Borja Valero, Politano, Icardi, Joao Mario
Substitutes: Padelli, Berni, Ranocchia, Cedric, Dalbert, Vecino, Nainggolan, Candreva, Perisic, Salcedo, Lautaro
Injured: Vrsaljko, De Vrij, Keita Balde.
Lazio (3-5-2): Strakosha, Wallace, Acerbi, Radu, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Berisha, Durmisi, Caicedo, Immobile
Substitutes: Proto, Guerrieri, Bastos, Kalaj, Zitelli, Lulic, Badelj, Parolo, Luis Alberto, Correra, Neto
Injured: Lukaku, Luiz Felipe, Patric.
Referee: Abisso.
Assistants: Vuoto and Manganelli.
VAR: Banti.
Fourth Official: Calvarese.
