12540444_10208384313666329_1877238924_n

 

This Wednesday 3 February 2016, Inter welcome Chievo to the San Siro in match day 23 of the 2015/16 Serie A season (kick off 20:45CET).

Inter come into this game on the brink of crisis after two comprehensive derby defeats against Juventus(3-0) in the Coppa Italia and Milan(3-0) in Serie A on Sunday past and it’s no wonder that Roberto Mancini is starting to lose his temper.

Ever since losing to Lazio just before the Winter break, the Inter coach has started to get increasingly agitated at Inter’s performances, culminating in a one match ban after being sent to the stands for insulting officials then insulting fans on his way off during the Milan derby.

There is a saying in football that a team’s midfield is what win matches and that is the problem at Inter. During the first half of the season Inter’s midfield were able to protect the defence well which covered over the cracks of not being great as an attacking force.

Since the Lazio defeat Inter’s midfield have struggled to protect the defence and get forward and it seems like they have real confidence issues right now. The midfield’s lack of balance begs the question why Assane Gnoukouri hasn’t been played at all. The Ivorian is a great prospect who is adept in both defensive and attacking phases of play and also when given a run in the team last season didn’t look out of place at all.

Despite their problems the Nerazzurri remain in fourth place in Serie A, one point behind third placed Fiorentina in the race for a Champions League place, seven points behind second placed Juventus and nine points behind leaders Napoli.

Rolando Maran’s Chievo come to the San Siro on the back of heavy defeats against Juventus(0-4) and Lazio(4-1) but the ‘Flying Donkeys’ will fancy their chances against a struggling Inter.

Chievo have perhaps punched above their weight so far this season and had been in decent form after collecting 12 points in their first seven matches of the season but injuries are now starting to play their part defensively. Also worth mentioning is that Chievo have lost their top goal scorer Alberto Paloschi to Swansea City during the Winter transfer window.

Selling their goal scorer is a massive gamble considering that the Veronese sit in twelfth place in the Serie A table on 27 points, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Here is the Inter team news and probable line-up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport at the time of writing this article:

Samir Handanovic starts in goal with Danilo D’Ambrosio expected to replace Davide Santon at right back. In central defence Joao Miranda and Jeison Murillo should start with Alex Telles expected to replace Juan Jesus at left back.

In a midfield three Gary Medel is expected to keep his place alongside Felipe Melo and Geoffrey Kondogbia with Marcelo Brozovic likely to be on the bench after his performance against Milan.

In a front three Eder is expected to start on the right with Ivan Perisic replacing Adem Ljajic on the left. Stevan Jovetic is expected to be on the bench in favour of captain Mauro Icardi in the central striking role.

Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-3-3) Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Telles; Melo, Medel, Kondogbia; Eder, Icardi(c), Perisic.

Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Santon, Juan Jesus, Nagatomo, Giamfi, Brozovic, Gnoukouri, Ljajic, Jovetic, Palacio, Biabiany, Manaj, Correia.

 

Some Stats:

Inter have faced Chievo at the San Siro in Serie A on 13 occasions with the Nerazzurri leading the stats with 8 wins to Chievo’s 1 win with 4 matches drawn.

In the overall Serie A records (home & away), Inter continue to lead the stats with 16 wins to Chievo’s 4 wins with 7 of the 27 matches between the sides drawn.

In the earlier fixture between the sides this season on 20 September 2015, Inter won 0-1 at the Stadio Bentigodi thanks to a Mauro Icardi strike.

Last season’s corresponding fixture at the San Siro on 3 May 2015 ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Chievo’s only win against Inter at the San Siro came in their debut Serie A season on 15 December 2001 in a 1-2 win with goals from Vieri(Inter) and Corradi, Marazzina(Chievo).

Roberto Mancini has fielded 20 different line-ups in Inter’s 22 league matches so far this season.

Player to Watch: Eder – The new signing had a decent debut against Milan in the derby and was one of the few Inter players to come out of that game with any credit. Could be Inter’s go to guy for this game.

My Prediction: Inter 1-0 Chievo

Scorer: Eder

Officials: Referee: Paolo Valeri     Assistants: Marrazzo, Musolino

Fourth Official: Vuoto     Additional Assistants: Celi, De Paolo

 

Author’s Note: Inter despite their slump in form have been quite lucky in fact as Fiorentina only drew against Genoa at the weekend thus keeping the gap between the sides at only one point but there is a feeling that this is last chance saloon. A positive is that Inter take on Chievo and Hellas in the space of four days thus representing a great chance not only to stop the slump but to get six points to bring some stability to the club.

Forza Inter!