After having lost the mathematical initiative in the chamionship race, Inter host a very tough Fiorentina in the hopes of keeping their contention alive. Match today Saturday at 18:00 CET.
Inter’s good form was bound to return, and after a strong showing at Anfield, the Nerazzurri faithful would have been forgiven to believe that there side had put the rough patch behind them and were finally ready to go on a winning run.
Sadly, a stuttering performance against Torino last weekend meant that the Nerazzurri dropped crucial points and ceded control of the table over to AC Milan.
The Nerazzurri now need to take care of business if they’re to keep touch with the new league leaders in a very tough game against Vincenzo Italiano’s resurgent Fiorentina.
The return of Denzel Dumfries to the starting lineup may be a critical nugget of good news for Simone Inzaghi seeing that the Viola are probably weakest on the flanks and that the marauding Dutchman might probably relish sneaking behind ex-Inter full back Cristiano Biraghi.
Even without the critically important Marcelo Brozovic, Inter manage to create plenty of chances. It will be up to their strikers to make the best of these chances and ensure that the Nerazzurri continue to be well within the title race.
Team News
Inter are yet again without the critical duo of Marcelo Brozovic and Stefan DiVrij. The pair are still out injured, despite earlier reports that the Croatian midfield maestro would make the cut. Denzel Dumfries will probably start.
Probable Line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, Bastoni, D’Ambrosio; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Vidal, Perisic; Lautaro, Dzeko.
Stats
Last Season: Inter 4 – 3 Fiorentina.
Last 10 Head to Head: Inter have a great record against the Tuscans over the past ten league encounters with five wins to the Viola’s solitary victory.
Keep An Eye On:
Edin Dzeko: Despite the fact that the Bosnian veteran is Inter’s secod highest scorer so far this season, Dzeko has been extremely wasteful in front of goal.
A good case in point would be last week’s match against Verona where Dzeko managed to miss the target altogether with a chance that might have seen Inter come out as match winners.
Interisti will be hoping that Dzeko can find his scoring boots and kill this match off.
Officials
Referee: Daniele Chiffi.
Assistants: Valeriani and Pagliardini.
Fourth Official: Marchetti.
VAR: Valeri and Zufferli.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Inter 2 – 0 With a Dzeko brace to put the pressure back on Milan.
Concluding remarks: Fiorentina are a strong side, but Inter’s resolve and the home advantage will mean that the Nerazzurri will probably tackle this match effectively.
