The Nerazzurri are really enjoying this stage in the season, having just dismantled Sampdoria last weekend, they now host a troubled Roma. Match today Wednesday at 20:45CET.
It really is a tale of two teams playing in front of us. On the one hand we have Inter, who seem to be a picture of the fruits of continuity and stability having wrapped up their first Scudetto in over a decade after having committed to a long-term project with Antonio Conte.
Roma on the other hand is a team in a perpetual state of comical under-achievement. The mid-season change in ownership certainly didn’t help the squad in their quest to achieve Champions League qualification. The announcement of Jose Mourinho’s taking the helms next season before the season over probably put the final nail in the coffin of their Europa League qualification hopes.
Expect Conte to approach the match in much the same as he did against Sampdoria. Inter will want to get at the leaky Roma defense.
With the integration of Stefano Sensi in midfield, Inter can now bank on some diversity in central play with the aforementioned Italian giving opponents some different “looks” to the ones offered by current preferred midfield maestro Christian Eriksen.
Conte will want to rest some players for the Juventus game, but will also ensure a strong and very competitive Inter steps onto the pitch. Interisti will enjoy the match.
Roma
Team News
It’s a full squad for Conte to choose from, notwithstanding the lingering injuries of Aleksandar Kolarov and Arturo Vidal. While some rotation can be expected ahead of the Juve game, expect Conte to select a competitive side with the intention of winning the match.
Probable Inter line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar; Perisic, Brozovic, Sensi, Barella, Darmian; Sanchez, Lukaku.
Stats
Last Season: Inter 0 – 0 Roma.
Last 10 Head to Head: It’s been a story of draws between the pair of teams. The last six matches have ended with the two sides sharing the points.
Keep An Eye On
Romelu Lukaku: Once again Big Rom has been the man to keep an eye on. Having sat out the trouncing of Samp, Romelu will have his eyes on the leaky Roma defense in the hopes of making a late bid for the Capocannoniere title.
Officials
Referee: Daniele Chiffi.
Assistant referees: Imperiale and Bresmes.
Fourth Official: Prontra.
VAR: Piretto and Di Iorio.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Inter 3 – 1 Roma; Lukaku hattrick.
Concluding remarks: It’s clear after the Samp game that the scudetto burden had been quite heavy on the squad, and now that they can play their brand of attacking football without worrying about wrapping the title up; opponents beware.