An always tricky trip to Sardinia for the second away match in a row sees Inter taking on hosts Cagliari in a bid to put pressure on all other contenders for third place. Match on Friday at 20:30 CET

Cagliari are not exhibiting any of the typically defensive characteristics of a Rolando Maran side. Despite having recruited one of the league’s most experienced defensive coaches, the Isolani seem to show no sign of improvement in keeping their opponents at bay. Cagliarli have only won one of their last ten league matches, keeping only one clean sheet in the process and having let in a remarkable nineteen goals along the way. Adding to their woes is the fact that their list of injuries reads like a classroom roll call with six first team players unavailable due to injury.

Inter’s woes, while more high profile, pale in comparison to those of their hosts. The continual voluntary absense of ex-captain Mauro Icardi has seemingly led to an increased sense of unity and purpose within the squad. It is this very sense of unity that Luciano Spaletti will look to draw on when trying to return to Milano with all three points. Expect Spaletti to line up his side in almost an identical fashion as he has done against Fiorentina last week; the only real changes one might expect is the replacement of ex-Caglialri midfielder Radja Nainggolan with the reborn Portugal midfielder Jaoa Mario as well as the replacement of Kwadwo Asamoah with Dalbert at the left-back position.

This is one of those matches where the result can plausibly range from tight 1-0 win for the hosts to an absolute rout by  the visitors; in all circumstances, expect it to be a very challenging affair.

Team News

Inter appear to be a lightning rod for controversy at the moment. Having at last seemingly gotten over the Abisso fiasco of last week does Mauro Icardi then throw fuel over his own bonfire of drama with a poorly written yet seemingly heartfelt plea to the Nerazzurri fans asking for their allegiance but not their forgiveness. That being said, Icardi and Keita Balde are still sidelined due to their nonexistent and very real respective injuries. Thankfully, Spaletti has no other absences to deal with.

Probable Inter line-up (4-2-3-1): Handanovic (C); D’Ambrosio, DiVrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Vecino, Brozovic; Perisic, Joao Mario, Politano; Lautaro

Stats

Last Season: Cagliari 1 – 3 Inter.

Last 10 Head to Head: Inter clearly have the head to head advantage here, not only have the won six times to the hosts’ two wins, they have beaten Cagliari in the last four matches scoring fourteen goals in the process.

Keep an Eye on

Lautaro Martinez: With Icardi still nursing a phantom injury and Keita still sidelined, the cross of Inter’s attack continues being borne by the young Argentine. Lautaro has done phenomenally well, far better than Icardi, in being involved in the link-up attacking play and making his presence felt and impactful outside the penalty box, however, it is time for him to start scoring with more regularity.

Officials

Referee: Luca Banti, Not Abisso

Assistants: Costanzo, Manganelli, Not Abisso

Fourth Official: Fourneau, Not Abisso

VAR Assistants: Doveri, Vivenzi, Not Abisso

Prediction & Concluding Remarks 

Prediction & scorers: Cagliari 0-2 Inter with Lautaro and Brozovic both scoring.

Concluding remarks: While a trip to Cagliari is never a walk in the park, it seems that the mood in the Inter camp post the injustice of the Fiorentina match has galvanized and fired up the players. Inter possess all things required to come back home with a win here, and the three points will put the Nerazzurri back in the driver’s seat for the search for third place.