With Inter provisionally behind Atalanta in the standings, the Nerazzurri look to beat the relegated Chievo to regain the third spot . Match on Monday at 20:30 CET.
Inter seem incapable of making their lives easy. A surprising draw in Udine last week coupled with an Atalanta that’s in red-hot form means that Inter step onto the pitch on Sunday having ceded third place to the side from Bergamo. It is now up to the Nerazzurri to define their season for themselves. Say what you may about facing an already relegated side who have nothing to lose, but however way you look at it, this match is a must win for the hosts.
Despite missing a couple of key players to suspension and injury, Luciano Spaletti can have no excuses. Inter have everything to play for and face a side that has managed to collect just fifteen points (albeit with a three point deduction) this season, if they are unable to find the path to victory here, then they definitely do not deserve to play in the Champions League next season.
Spaletti must line his team to start the match strong, pressing high and overloading Chievo’s penalty box with runners from the midfield. Ivan Persisic and Matteo Politano cannot be as profligate as they have been in the last few weeks. The attacking module of Perisic, Politano and Lautaro Martinez must work in concert and run tirelessly to break down the expectedly tight and deep Chievo defenses. Nothing but a win here matters.
Team News
Two of Inter’s best performers in Marcelo Brozovic and Danilo D’Ambrosio are suspended for the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. This will give Cedric Soares a rare chance to feature in the match at right-back and will probably mean that Roberto Gagliardini steps in for Brozo. Stefan DiVrij will probably miss the match due to injury and so Joao Miranda will replace him in the center of defence.
Probable Inter line-up (4-2-3-1); Handanovic (C); Cedric, Miranda, Skriniar, Asamoah; Gagliardini, Vecino; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Lautaro
Stats
Last Season: Inter 5 – 0 Chievo
Last 10 Head to Head: Inter have a clear head to head advantage over Chievo coming into the match, with six wins to the visitors’ two wins. Possibly more importantly, Chievo have not beaten Inter in Milan since December of 2001.
Keep an Eye on
Roberto Gagliardini: The Italian midfielder has had a bit of a strange season. He’s had performances where he has been the standout player in the midfield followed by long stretches of bench warming. If Gagliardini wants to stay at Inter over the summer, whether with Spaletti or otherwise, a strong end to the season will really improve his chances of doing so.
Officials
Referee: Paolo Valeri
Assistants: Gori and Prenna
Fourth Official: Volpi
VAR Assistants: Di Bello and Ranghetti.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2 – 0 Chievo with Lautaro and Nainggolan scoring.
Concluding remarks: Having nothing to play for, Chievo will come to the San Siro with guns blazing. Inter need to respect the visitors and respect the game but simultaneously make sure that Chievo know that Inter are here to bully them and take all three points. Nothing can derail this match more than frustration and freneticism.
