Serie A
Inter Milan vs Fiorentina Preview
Inter Milan will host third place Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza as they seek to escalate in the Serie A table.
The 18-times Serie A champions begun the season with a defeat against Sassuolo and a draw against Torino. However, they did capture a win over Bologna but failed to beat Parma losing closely 0-1.
Nevertheless, Inter is coming off wins against Sampdoria and Tottenham, the latter for Champions League Group stage.
Additionally, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti will be out against the Viola for what the league is calling a “controversial attitude towards the fourth official”. Inter did say they would appeal the decision, but everything points at Spalletti directing from aside. Marco Domenechini will likely be the head man from the bench.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, have won three of their first five matches, finding themselves in Champions League position.
Team News
Fiorentina boss Stefano Pioli will likely have his entire squad available against Inter. The only player in doubt at this time is Cristiano Biraghi after in impact with another player during the Europa League match against SPAL.
Additionally, Marko Pjaca may have taken the lead spot over Valentin Eysseric on the wings. The Croatian composes a trident threat in the front line with Giovanni Simeone and Federico Chiesa.
Contrary to this, Spalletti will likely make some rotations after having played four games in 10 days.
Croatia international Sime Vrsaljko is still recovering from an injury suffered during the international break. Danilo D’Ambrosio will slot into his position in the backfield.
Against Sampdoria, Ivan Perisic and Stefan De Vrij started on the bench. They will likely see action against Fiorentina.
Despite his success against the Viola, it looks Mauro Icardi may be rested as he featured the entire 90 minutes against Samp and the Spurs. Nevertheless, that may get pushed to this weekend against Cagliari.
Previous Encounter
Last season, Inter racked a 3-0 win over Fiorentina at home. However, at Stadio Artemio Franchi Fiorentina was able to pick up a 1-1 draw.
Inter have won 15 of their last 17 home matches against Fiorentina in all competitions.
Fiorentina’s last victory over Inter came in the 2016-17 season at home which ended 5-4. However, the last time Fiorentina won at Giuseppe Meazza was the 27th of September, 2015 where the score ended 1-4.
Nikola Kalinić scored a hat-trick with Icardi hitting the sole goal for Inter.
Predicted Line-Ups
Fiorentina: Lafont; Milenkovic, Pezzella, Vitor Hugo; Benassi, Veretout, Gerson, Biraghi; Chiesa, Simeone, Pjaca.
Internazionale: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, de Vrij, Dalbert; Brozovic, Gagliardini; Balde, Nainggolan, Perisic; Icardi.
Prediction
Spalletti’s side have far more pedigree than Pioli’s side. However, Inter have been rather inconsistent and unable to maintain a good streak of games. On the other side, Fiorentina is having a great Serie A start. Nonetheless, Icardi is a goal predator and fire it up upfront. I see a close fight until the end with a potential draw.
Inter 2 – 2 Fiorentina
Photo credit to soikeo .info via Flickr
