Three key individual battles could be decisive in this evening’s Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the two teams’ Argentine strikers, as well as two midfield battles that could be key.
Inter and Fiorentina do not tend to set up with the same formations.
Nerazzurri coach Simonbe Inzaghi virtually always utilizes a back three system. And his Viola counterpart Vincenzo Italiano bases his system of play on a back four.
So there will not quite be a symmetry of players matching up exactly on the pitch at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this evening.
But there will still be some key individual battles that could be decisive.
Three Key Individual Battles In Fiorentina Vs Inter Clash
First, the Gazzetta highlights the “long distance” duel between Lautaro Martinez and Lucas Beltran.
The two will hardly be directly engaging each other often. But they will certainly both be vying to be the striker who lights up the match.
Certainly on paper, Inter captain Martinez would be the likelier of the two.
The 26-year-old is currently leading the scoring charts in Serie A by some margin.
Martinez is in outstanding form, and clearly the Nerazzurri’s star man on the goal. If there will be a player who finds the back of the net for Inter, he would be the most probable candidate.
But Beltran has also been finding some good form recently.
The 22-year-old arrived in Serie A from Argentine football like Martinez. But former River Plate striker Beltran is more in the situation Martinez was five years ago – still finding his feet.
If Beltran could shine Inter’s talisman, it would certainly be a feather in his cap.
Then the Gazzetta notes two Italian midfielders who will be aiming to be decisive.
Like Martinez and Beltran, Fiorentina’s Giacomo Bonaventura and Inter’s Davide Frattesi are at opposite ends of their careers.
Former Atalanta and AC Milan veteran Bonaventura continues to be Fiorentina’s key man creatively.
Meanwhile, Frattesi will be getting what is a very rare start for him in the league.
Perhaps on paper, the reliable and polished Bonaventura would be the player to bet on really pulling the strings in midfield. But Frattesi will be extremely hungry to make an impact.
Finally, the Gazzetta points to another young Inter midfielder who doesn’t regularly start.
Kristjan Asllani will be playing in the holding role. The Albanian takes the place of the suspended Hakan Calhanoglu.
There will be lots of pressure on Asllani. And a more pedigreed rival in the form of ex-Barcelona and Juventus man Arthur.
The two will each be trying to set the tempo of the match with their passing games.
