The reigning champions of Serie A “Inter” face relegated “Parma” on the first matchday after the international break in September. Saturday’s clash at the San Siro will also mark the start of a new era for the Crusaders.
Inter’s title defense started almost flawlessly. Cristian Chivu’s men won four league matches before overturning a two-goal deficit to draw an impressive 2-2 with Roma at the Olimpico. Level on points with Gian Piero Gasperini’s side at the top of the table, they are determined to get back to winning ways.
Encouragingly for the home fans, Lautaro Martinez is firing on all cylinders after a rather slow start to the season. After drawing their first two matches, El Toro made it a double in back-to-back league matches as Inter battled back from 2-0 down to avoid defeat against Napoli (3-2) and Roma.
Unlike the Neradzurri, Parma’s season started with a whimper rather than a whimper. Despite a 2-1 home win over Genoa in the international break, manager Carlos Cuesta parted ways with the Crusaders in the September window, with former striker Alberto Gilardino taking his place in the dugout.
Gilardino’s first task will be to steady the ship after Parma suffered three defeats in their first five league games (W1, D1). However, the task ahead is nothing short of Herculean.
Match preview
Inter
Chivu’s men were in an unforgiving mood at home at the start of this campaign. After beating Monza, Napoli and Udinese 12-6 on aggregate, Inter opened a season with four consecutive home league wins for only the third time in the last 35 years.
However, the defending champions are advised not to take anything for granted. Inter have lost two of their last four Serie A games right after the international break, which could be a tough test for the division’s most prolific side (15).
Facing Parma could help Inter overcome that narrative, with the Nerazzurri unbeaten in nine consecutive Serie A meetings with the Crusaders (6, D3). Moreover, they have been ruthless in front of goal, scoring twice in seven of their last eight top-flight matches.
With Lautaro in red-hot form and Marcus Thuram steadily returning to his best, there’s every reason to expect Chivu to continue his impressive run against a Parma side that Inter will largely struggle to survive this term.
Parma
Gilardino could not have hoped for a sterner test on his touchline debut as Parma have lost their last two Serie A trips to this venue by two goals. In search of good signs, the visitors have kept Inter winless in their previous five meetings at the San Siro (W1, D4) and scored as many goals on three occasions.
Given Parma’s recent road record, achieving similar success here could be easier said than done. As well as losing their last four away games in Serie A, they have also failed to score in three consecutive games until the last time they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Como.
They have won just one of their last 12 Serie A matches (D6, L5) as they have slowly come out of the blocks since the international break. Therefore, Parma’s hopes of overturning the apple cart to post back-to-back league wins for the first time since April look far-fetched.
Simone Lontani, who has already scored three goals this season, could be Parma’s savior in Lombardy, although he is yet to score away.
Team News
Summer signing John Stones remains unavailable for Inter and the same goes for Curtis Jones, who could be out until November. With Hakan Calhanoglu back in action, Jones’ injury could now slip under the radar and the Turkish set-piece specialist is expected to reclaim his place in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Parma will be without Pontus Almqvist and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia Gilardino. There is a question mark over Dominik Drobnic, but with David Romero fit for the trip, Parma will have their best striker to lead the line as they seek their third Serie A goal this season.
Inter vs Parma potential starting lineups
Inter (3-5-2): About Us Company Name: Provedel; Bisseck, Akanji, Augustus; Diouf, Barella, Stankovic, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martine.
Parma (3-5-2): crows; Delprato, Carlos, Troilo; Britschgi, Bernabe, Keita, Sierro, Valeri; Toure, Romero.
Inter – Parma prediction
It will take something truly remarkable from Parma to keep Inter out of the win column, but even a “new manager’s breakthrough” won’t be enough to upset the odds here. The Nerazzurri need to push for another home win and maintain their excellent domestic form at the start of the season.
Prediction: “Inter” will win
| Follow us Google News For more updates on Serie A and Italian football |