Inter’s next four matches will decide whether their season is destined for glory or failure, a leading Italian journalist warned today.
Antonio Conte’s are two points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan in the standings ahead of tonight’s game away to Fiorentina.
The Nerazzurri face a daunting schedule in the next 16 days, however, which could put them on course for a historic double or leave them fighting for nothing.
“Conte is fighting for Inter’s entire season in the next four games,” Luigi Garlando argued in his column for Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition.
“Dropping points against Fiorentina today, ahead of a match against one of Serie A’s most in-form teams in Lazio next week, could mean Inter are too far behind AC Milan by the time they play the Derby della Madonnina on February 21.
“That’s without forgetting Juventus, who have a game in hand against Napoli and could therefore theoretically overtake the Nerazzurri if they beat Roma tomorrow.
“On the evening of February 21, Inter could be in the final of the Coppa Italia and right in the hunt to win the Scudetto, or they could be knocked out of another competition after the Champions League and be cut adrift in the league table.”
Ahead of the derby, Inter face Juventus in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on February 9, before hosting Lazio in the league on Valentine’s Day.
Conte is expected to make three changes from Tuesday’s defeat to the Bianconeri for tonight’s Fiorentina match, with Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi both returning from one-match bans in the cup.
Ivan Perisic is also likely to come into the side, with Ashley Young dropping to the bench along with Lautaro Martinez and Matteo Darmian.
Victory in Florence tonight would take Inter top of the table and apply pressure to AC Milan ahead of their match at home to Crotone on Sunday.