Tonight Inter take on Genoa to try and join Juventus back at the top of the table, where currently Inter sit in second place, 3 points behind Juventus and a game in hand, whereas Genoa are sitting in a precarious 19th place.
Inter’s 5 last matches have ended in 3 wins and 2 draws, and Genoa’s last 5 has given them 3 draws and 2 defeats. Previous meetings between these two sides have given Inter 17 wins, Genoa 5 and 5 draws. Interestingly Inter have on average the 9th oldest squad in Serie A this year, meanwhile Genoa have the 5th youngest squad.
Attack
So far Inter have scored 32 goals in Serie A, joint 3rd, averaging 2 per game. They are averaging 1.91 xG per game and sit 4th best in this regard. Lukaku remains Inter’s top scorer in the league with 10 goals and sits joint 3rd with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Genoa have scored 17 goals in the league this year which puts them 15th in the table, averaging 1.07 per game. They are averaging 1.24 xG per game which also puts them 15th too. Genoa’s top scorer in the league is former Inter youth product Michael Kouame with 5 goals.
Defense
Inter have been really good defensively this year, conceding 18 goals, averaging 0.88 per game, the lowest of anybody and average 0.9 xG against per game, also the best in the league. Notable mention goes to Inter’s shot stopper Samir Handanovic who has the most clean sheets in Serie A to date with 6, 1 more than Gigi Donnarumma in 2nd place.
Genoa meanwhile are lacking in this area, conceding 31 goals so far, averaging 1.94 per game and an average xG against 1.78, the 3rd worst in the league.
Key Players
This is an important match for Inter, and they will need everyone to step up and produce a good performance, most notably Romelu Lukaku. Top scorer for Inter this year, Lukaku has been performing well in his debut season here in Italy, and after a fairly average performance against Fiorentina last week, it is crucial he gets back on the boil and links up with Lautaro or any other player that Conte chooses to partner him with tonight.
Summary
This should be a win for the Nerazzuri tonight. Genoa have not been in great form this year and don’t look like improving any time soon.
Inter have by far the stronger squad, and Genoa’s only real hope comes in the way that Inter may not have a full strength squad, with injuries to key players, most notably in the midfield. Also given Lautaro Martinez’ suspension Antonio Conte could give Sebastiano Esposito his first start in the Serie A of his career.
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