Inter kick off 2022 looking to pick things up where they left off last year as they travel to Bologna. Match tomorrow Thursday at 12:30 CET.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Bologna sit in a very respectable tenth place spot but have had an extremely tumultuous half season so far. Memorable wins against Lazio and Sassuolo are offset by losses to Venezia and a thumping by Milan.
Despite Mihajlovic’s sides being renowned for toughness and defensive solidity, this Bologna side has been quite leaky at the back.
Compounded with the loss of twelve players due to injury, Covid and AFCON duties makes for bleak forecasting on the part of any Bologna fan.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter’s biggest challenge will be to demonstrate that the winter break hasn’t led to a loss of form or momentun and that the Champions of Italy will pick up where they left off in 2021.
Expect Inzaghi to pursue a “business as usual” selection and set of tactics. Inter will take the match to their hosts and look to kill the contest off at the earliest, seeing that the Nerazzurri are about to jump into a potentially season defining six weeks.
Team News
Inter’s Covid trio of Edin Dzeko, Martin Satriano and Alex Cordaz are still unavailable for selection, as well as the suspended Hakan Calhanoglu.
Having just returned from his sending off suspension, Nicolo Barella finds himself just one match away from another match suspension should he pick up a yellow card here.
Despite the transfer window rumor mill being in full swing, Inter’s activity and participation is very muted with the excpetion of having signed goalkeeper Andre Onana who then would be set to join the team over the summer.
Probable Inter line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Perisic; Lautaro, Correa.
Stats
Last Season: Bologna 0 – 1 Inter
Last 10 Head to Head: Inter hold a commanding lead over their hosts in the head to head department. Over the past ten league encounters, Inter have won six times while Bologna have just two victories.
Keep An Eye On
Marcelo Brozovic: With Inter’s main creative outlet suspended, the burden of midfield creativity will lie on the Croat’s shoulders. Expect an Inter performance similar to the Spaletti era, where Inter’s overall performance can be almost fully reflective of Brozo’s performance.
Officials:
Referee: Giovanni Ayroldi.
Assistant referees: Galetto and Cipressa.
Fourth Official: Massimi.
VAR: Doveri and Alassio.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Bologna 1 – 2 Inter; Lautaro and Correa to score.
Concluding remarks: Inter must make the most of the wave of positive momentum they’re riding at the moment. In a week where most of their direct competitors are in tricky fixtures, the Nerazzurri must do their part and bring home the three points.
