This Sunday 24 January 2016 Inter welcome Carpi to the San Siro in match day 21 of the 2015/16 Serie A season (kick off 15:00 CET).
Inter come into this game on the back of a morale boosting 0-2 win against league leaders Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in midweek in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals thanks to goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic.
Unfortunately the match against Napoli won’t be remembered for the football, but for the behaviour of Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, who disgraced the world of Italian football after launching a tirade of homophobic abuse at Roberto Mancini, something that in this day and age can’t be happening if Serie A is to promote itself worldwide.
The result didn’t only see the Nerazzurri set up a semi-final meeting with rivals Juventus but it also ended a mini-slump of sorts for Inter who had just picked up four points in their last four games after defeats against Lazio(1-2) and Sassuolo(0-1) added to a draw last weekend against Atalanta(1-1) and a win away at Empoli(0-1).
Inter sit third in the Serie A table on 40 points, two points behind Juventus in second place and four points behind leaders Napoli on 44 points with Fiorentina in fourth place on 38 points.
Fabrizio Castori’s Carpi have had a tough time in their debut Serie A season after being promoted from Serie B last season. Indeed they started the season with just one win in their first ten matches against Torino(2-1) adding to two draws against Napoli(0-0) and Palermo(2-2) with losses against Sampdoria(5-2), Inter(1-2), Fiorentina(0-1), Roma(5-1), Atalanta(3-0), Bologna(1-2) and Frosinone(2-1).
Since then their form has improved slightly and the Biancorossi are actually unbeaten in their last three games after a draw against Lazio(0-0) and wins against Udinese(2-1) and Sampdoria(2-1) last weekend.
Carpi sit in 18th place in the Serie A table on 17 points, four points from safety and 17th placed Palermo.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport at the time of writing:
Samir Handanovic starts in goal with Danilo D’Ambrosio favoured over Davide Santon at right back. In central defence Joao Miranda and Jeison Murillo are expected to start however it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Juan Jesus start as Miranda if booked would miss next week’s Milan Derby. At left back Alex Telles is favoured over Yuto Nagatomo.
In midfield there are some slight concerns with Felipe Melo, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Gary Medel all one booking away from suspension. La Gazzetta reports that the Frenchman and Chilean are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
On the right Jonathan Biabiany is favoured over Ivan Perisic while in the trequartista role will be Stevan Jovetic with Adem Ljajic on the left and captain Mauro Icardi in the central striking role.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-2-3-1) Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Telles; Medel, Kondogbia; Biabiany, Jovetic, Ljajic; Icardi (c)
Bench: Berni, Carrizo, Juan Jesus, Santon, Nagatomo, Montoya, Ranocchia, Felipe Melo, Brozovic, Gnoukouri, Perisic, Palacio, Manaj
Some Stats:
Inter and Carpi have only met once in Serie A and that was earlier this season on 30 August 2015 when Inter opened the scoring through Jovetic before Di Gaudio equalised, with Inter getting the win in the end thanks to a 91st minute penalty from Jovetic.
Jeison Murillo’s own goal at Atalanta last weekend was Inter’s first this season. The previous one came from Juan Pablo Carrizo away at Cagliari last season on 23 february 2015 in a 1-2 loss.
If Mauro Icardi scores it will be his 50th goal in Serie A in his time at Sampdoria and Inter.
Andrea Gervasoni has officiated in 10 games involving Inter with records slightly favouring the Nerazzurri with four wins, three draws and three defeats.
Despite being in third place Inter have only scored six more goals than Carpi in Serie A this season.
Player to Watch: Stevan Jovetic – The Montenegro international returned to scoring ways in midweek against Napoli and if started here I would expect another goal.
My Prediction: Inter 2-0 Carpi
Scorers: Jovetic, Icardi
Officials: Referee: Andrea Gervasoni Assistants: De Luca, Tasso
Fourth Official: Ranghetti Additional Assistants: Giacomelli, Abisso
Author’s Note: Inter’s midweek win against Napoli was a real confidence booster and hopefully has stopped the Nerazzurri’s mini-slump. I expect a confident win here before Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Juventus. It is also worth mentioning that Juventus face Roma this weekend and if the Bianconeri drop points Inter need to be winning this. Come on Inter no mistakes this week.
Forza Inter!
inter provided some strong resistance to the serious opponent like carpi !
very promising for inter.
can we sign hakan calhanoglu?
I dreamed we will have another Crespo, Milito, Cruz, Baggio calibre in our attacking opition.
I shouldn’t expect more for the rest of season to Icardi and Palacio in front of net. Thohir really know this limit thats why he only aim for 3rd spot at least. Last 3 matches showed that. We were running out of fuel.
inter provided some strong resistance to the serious opponent like carpi !
very promising for a small club like inter.
oh man again in injury time we are screwed even against Carpi. Third game at home that inter throws it away in 90+ min. Bad feeling, horrible. Bad game, bad players (Nagatomo, Juan Jesus) bad management (Mancini). Can someone please tell Ljajic not to run so much with the bal in the middle of the field? in the cunter inter conceded a goal.
Errr..we win against Napoli 2-0 away
Does this explain the bad results in the serie A in the last weeks? yes inter did win against Napoli. Did they creat a lot of chances? No! But I see consitently same faults and phenomena back in our games. Lack of chances, difficulties to score, throwing away games in the last minutes of the game. The defensive play of Manicin even against ´´weaker´´ sides. I can´t blame him playing like that against Napoli or Juve. But Carpi, with 11 against 10? Come on man. Wake up! If you want the CL spot you need consistency and better style of play.
I know we are all feeling down right now but the reality is coming into this season our #1 goal was to qualify for CL.
that’s always our #1 goal.. because face it.. like it or not, our competitor are more well equip to fight for scudetto..^^
Yeah… but we shouldnt play as shitty as this. I cant blame mancini. Its the players that ‘lost’ this game. Anyone feel the pain while watching us play this game? Its like watching brainless zombies.
And how you expect from us to qualify for Champions League, when we can’t win against Carpi, Atlanta, Sassuolo, etc? And when you play against Carpi at home by 1-1 and your substitutes are to put in central defender and full back!!!
JOB VACANCY :
Polish Man
JOB DESCRIPTION :
To polish our gems, there are : Icardi, JJ, Murillo, Brozovic, Kondogbia, Ljajic
RESPONSIBILITY :
Make them shining in every match, not so shining, or too shining, JUST : shine.
Because few of them sometimes shine but in some moment they are unseen.
If you wanna know what I really mean, google it “tukang asah akik” than see the pictures and you will get it and clearly understand. No pranks.
Time for Mourinho
Mancio oohh Mancio… c’mon coach !!! enough for all rotation, we only play once a week,..
we really need Mid with brain,, 10 man carpi !!!!! ckckckck… huuuffftt
what’s the problem ?!?
inter provided some strong resistance to the serious opponent like carpi !
very promising for a small club like inter.
For now stop dreaming of scudetto. Our realistic target is 3rd place. The midfield looked sluggish in these last few games. Carpi were down to 10 men but still fought valiantly till the end while our player just ran like headless chicken. Unless we get some reinforcements (we badly need more than just a player) then just forget to finish above Fiorentina. I would gladly accept Soriano right now though I am sure he is not that great but after saw today’s display then we need other midfielder who can run more and keep possession. Furthermore, Biglia is more than welcome in this squad since we need regista type player. Someone smart enough to pull the string and orchestrate the play. This result is not about luck, it is about mentality. This squad not mature enough to cope with pressure. Now, just focus on Coppa Italia and win that tournament to save this season. Winning Coppa would be a good foundation for next season.
I’m sorry to say that, but according what we showed until now our realistic goal is Europa League. We have to raise the level very much and to be lucky enough, because now Fiorentina and Roma are better than us. And I’m not going to mention Napoli and Juventus, because they are in other league now!
i have lost all confidence now, i don’t think this team is capable to even qualify for champions league
Well…The problem is i also don’t understand Mancini logic. He always changing starting line up player and formation. Cheer up, Bro, Maybe Inter still can win Coppa Italy.
i honestly don’t care about the coppa if we don’t qualify for the champions league
If we qualify CL what for? With this squad there’s no way Inter can compete in CL. But if we win Coppa, we win Trophy.
the royalty each club received from UCL is a lot, even just in the group stage. And I believe Thohir will invest more if we qualify for UCL.
http://www.totalsportek.com/money/uefa-champions-league-prize-money/
http://www.livesportsreviews.com/prize-money-uefa-europa-league-2015-16/
Honestly, are you sure Inter can win and through CL group stage? If Inter compete in Europa League, I think still better for development
All fan hope that Inter can go through UCL, at least group stage. Bcoz UCL is prestige, many sponsorship and TV broadcast income that we can get, just as your link stated, UCL prize money are more tempting than UEL. If we can’t get through group stage, at least, we already received money from 6 matches in group stage, right..? And if we’re finish 3rd in group stage, we also still can participate in UEL instead of going to UEL directly from 4th or 5th position in league table
I think you missing my point. I agree with the Presige, Revenue and TV income. But if you want to know how to develop a new team, that’s take a lot of time. If you see Inter starting line up.Just Handa, Medel and Icardi that play more than one year together that deserve play as starter. It means 8 new players just arrive. Not to mention Mancini still using bad player such as Naga, D’Ambrosio and Guarin. Do you think that build a winning team can be instant? Just be patient.
Ah..! so what you mean is, it will be difficult for this current Inter to get through to UCL..? Actually I think the same, but we have to fight to be there, we should be there, there’s still many matches left… I hope there’ll be improvement from now on…
Ahmed Haider Sultan
they should collectively turn into … islam and pray to allah. homeini mancini can do it.
Never eating lasagna again…… In all seriousness I think we should sell Icardi when a 40 million euro offer arrives. He is over rated and his mind is on something other than winning with Inter (probably Wanda). We need to start fresh, buy some good young talents, invest in a good young manager. A NEW FRESH START
what is happening right now is a fresh start
invest in a good young manager!? manager is not an investment dude.. if we need to change the coach(no need right now), we should find a winning coach.. LOL..
I mean someone with new ideas, does not have to be young.
I hope Mancio doesn’t leave but if he does, I want Simeone or Pochettino( Spurs )
simeone and pochetino are good, but i hope mancini doesn’t leave we need him right now, to finish this project..^^
I don’t agree by the way he keeps changing the line-up. We need some continuity. We have to have an understanding attack who can find each other before the ball arrives at their feet.
so we need to change the coach now!? don’t you say we need contuinity!? ^^
Yes, although by never having the same line-up the players cannot find each other, evidently….
What project? I dont see any project here.. This team has bunch of useless player that even we cant sell. So do you see any project here?
to rebuilt and bring this team to CL again.. that’s all..
If you want to rebuilt you throw away the deadwood and buy a new fresh player. And what happen this is you buy a new player and extend the deadwood. But I hope we can finish this season better than before.
it’s not that easy mate.. we have FFP in the way.. selling is not as easy as you think.. one wrong step we will get ban or fine by UEFA.. and for extending their contract, we don’t want to lose naga for free, he’s our shirt saler.. palacio deserve 1 more year.. player like guarin on his way out(hopefully it’s succesfull)..
I told you sheeple fans THAT IT’S GONNA HURT !
Carpi played with more determination than us… Just sell Icardi and Brozovic… Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we don’t have time to sell them this mercato, cuz we have to replace them with other players. but in summer I am ok with selling Icardi and Brozo.
then, don’t let them play… hahahahahahahhhhhh!!!!!!!! *goingcrazy
Fortune Lady had left us in last 15 minutes. Carpi deserved this 1 point. With this squad I realized realistic target is UCL ticket. The only things missed was compactness and understanding.. creativity, goal getter, strong wall will follow if we had solved that. Correct me if I’m wrong.
That’s all though… *bitter
lol i was closed my streaming in 89th minutes. didnt see it coming
ok back to dota
They fuckin’ did it again… what the flying fuck is wrong with them??
why dont just let carpi win the game, huh?
Pitiable Inter… 🙁
Clearly mancinis fault..he underestimated carpi and thats the result..this is embarrassing the whole League laughs about this Team and they have all Right to do so..stop rotation as if we Are in Any European competition..atalanta carpi 2 draws? #firemancio enough is enough
I agree don’t understand all the rotations, we aren’t playing in Europe. We play 1 game a week and every once in a while 2 (Coppa Italia)
the team will face Juve next wednesday in Copa Italy SemiFinal match.
inconsistent line-ups cost you games.
I want Kroos. Lol let me dream
I want Xhaka, more realistic.
nope,xhaka is almost impossible he’s dreaming to join arsenal and he’s shaqiri’s friend
Hope Thohir understand and bring a regista this mercato..
He shouldn’t allow Mancini’s idea to bring all the wingers he wanted… Play with wingers sucks…
999% agree..!!
wtf, do you prefere 4-3-1-2 or what? Every big team plays with wingers
But this Inter just play with wings, no variation from middle
Bring in the Special One before ManU takes him. We will realize Mancini is not the coach to carry this team into future and it will be too late.
Thats what you’ll got if you just score bloody a goal from entire 90 minutes, when shit happen then you’re done. This attacking system were suck big time for like 10 games and never change…
Who create that suck system? Just sack him.. Search another system creator that mor realible and efficient.. Done
Hahaha, shit..I try not to be pissed but I can’t.. now I think it’s official, our target is 3rd place and our main rival is either viola or roma, forget about napoli and juve we’re not there yet
Unless we solve our midfield problem this mercato
to solve our midfield problem we have to sell like 10 players, cuz Thohir won’t invest by himself
because something called FFP do not allow Thohir to spend his own money, it’s the company (inter) who have to make money first then we can talk about investment
There will be no problem if we sell guarin for 15 and bring a player with 35.
actually it depends on guarin’s sale sad but true
I cant believe that we gave Nagamidget contract extension
Really ??
Mourinho is unemployed let’s just take him.
nope not now.. mourinho in a bad shape a coach.. he’s not mourinho he used to be.. if chelsea with players and money that they have, he almost bring them to the bottom of the table..
the annual January collapse is in the house ! I wonder what place inter will be in when the snow melts? what was CARPI too offensive for you guys? don’t worry inter is finishing 4th this year…………..
i have bad feeling sine nagatomo in
I had a OOHHHH SHIT moment.. Naga is becoming a bad omen even though the goal wasn’t his mistake
damn knew those misses would hunt us at the end
they always do..
Not suprise me.. shitt
goodbye Scudetto. Just try to qualify to UCL. Thanks for trying.
This is maddening, similar to what I feel on FM when I conceded in last minute. FUCKERSSSSSSSSSSSSS
we wanted so much second goal but than …
Thats not the right attitude for approaching 2nd goal, we lose intelligent aspect when building attack, they’re look mediocre..
embarrassing… can’t say more.. just embarrassing..
Loss from sassulo draw capri and Atlanta. Europe league here we go
Three time lossing point in extra time…That’s sucks
this is so disappointing lol cnt help but laugh at that ending
how can be possible? no more excuses like ” this is a new team”, pls.
JJ marking.
that’s what your JJ do the wonder.. ^^
my JJ? Did I say something good about him?
“that’s why mancio brought Miranda in ,cuz JJ was calm and collected in the first half”. sorry mate just saying..^^
Mancini stop messing around with lineup, just because it’s Carpi doesn’t mean its easy win. Too much experimenting.
I want to see consistent starting 11
we all want that..
10 men relegated team draw at meazza
way to go
BLAHHHHH 1-1
How could..???