Winless in three matches, the Nerazzurri travel to Genoa looking to rediscover that winning feeling. Match tomorrow Saturday at 18:00 CET.

Anotnio Conte is in a very unenviable situation; just as he was trying to figure out his team’s best setup and correct balance, he loses five starters and seven players in total to the Corona virus.

Compounding the misery, this all happened right before the Milan derby and at the start of a frantic period of seven matches in twenty one days.

Having  a built up a three match winless streak, the pressure is on Conte and his men to get back into the win column.

Genoa have become Inter’s whipping boys over the last couple of years, and so, it might be a good match for Inter to rediscover their winning form.

Eyes will be on Conte’s team selection to see how the tactician will line his side up. With Alessandro Bastoni now fully recovered, expect the youngster to start on the left side of the central defensive trio.

There seems to be some traction to the idea that Inter’s central midfield will be the one  that worked so well at the beginning of last season, with Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolo Barella and Stefano Sensi taking the reins.

Rolando Maran’s Genoa have had a pretty poor start to their season now, and with seven goals conceded in three matches, they have not  exhibited the traditional grittiness that is associated with Maran sides.

That said, the fact they themselves lost close to ten players to COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the squad.

The Griffoni will try and spoil Inter’s attempt at a turnaround, but will probably be unable to get at Inter in the same manner that has made them look vulnerable so far.

Inter must secure the flanks and give Ivan Perisic and Matteo Darmian the necessary support and cover when being counter-attacked. An important match awaits.

Team News

Achraf Hakimi, Milan Skrinniar, Ashley Young, Roberto Gagliardini and Andrei Radu are all still out of contention due to their COVID-19 infections.

It appears that Inter will be without Alexis Sanchez who picked up a slight knock in the midweek Champions League match.

Probable Line-up (3-4-1-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Perisic; Sensi; Lautaro, Lukaku

Stats

Last Season: Genoa 0 – 3 Inter.

Last 10 Head to Head: The records show that Inter certainly have Genoa’s number, with seven wins to Genoa’s three. Possibly more importantly, Inter have won the last four matches between the two sides.

Keep an Eye on:

Alessandro Bastoni: Much has been made of Inter’s defensive fragility at vulnerability at the back, with the Nerazzurri unable to get a clean sheet so far. Bastoni’s recovery from the COVID-19 infection will certainly help shore-up Inter’s back-line.

Officials

Referee: Davide Massa.

Assistants: Alassio and Bottegoni.

Fourth Official: Manganiello.

VAR: Di Bello and Liberti.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Genoa 0 – 2 Inter Lukaku and Brozovic goals to score for the visitors.

Concluding remarks: Inter need a win and a clean sheet. If Inter are to quickly put to rest the early season shakiness to bed, they need to start finding wins and some balance and solidity at the back.