Serie A PREVIEW: Inter vs Roma | Matchday 34

Inter take on Roma in what is considered one of the most decisive fixtures en route to the final weeks of an intriguing Scudetto race.

Earlier this season, these two teams crossed paths. And the outcome did not end up well for Jose Mourinho, with his side conceding three goals without any reply in front of the home crowd. Therefore, on Saturday, adding fuel to the gruelling title race would not be the Portuguese’s only motivation as he would also like to seek revenge for the Giallorossi’s 3-0 home defeat.

But both teams have enjoyed a fine run of form going into the weekend’s clash. Inter have not lost a league affair since their 2-1 defeat to Milan in Derby della Madonnina last February. Roma have enjoyed the same kind of flawless form in Serie A, with Mourinho’s men on an unbeaten run of 12 matches.

Both teams are chasing different ambitions. While Inter are after the consecutive Scudetto, Roma are challenging Juventus for the fourth spot in the table. Ensuring a fourth-place finish in the league will not only provide Roma with a Champions League berth in the 2021/22 edition but also give the club access to more ambitious targets in the summer transfer market.

Having played 33 games so far, Roma are currently fifth with 58 points. Inter are second with 69 points but have played one less game than the league leaders, Milan. Winning on Saturday could put them back at the summit of the table.

The recent form (last five games in Serie A):

Inter: D-D-W-W-W

Roma: D-W-W-W-D

Team News

As for Inter, Simone Inzaghi is fortunate to have star players available at his disposal. Now, it would be interesting to see how he lines up against the Jose Mourinho side. Questions around who would be Inzaghi’s two forwards to lead the line on Saturday loom large.

Bryan Cristante has not made the journey to Milan, meaning he will not be available for the match. Nicolo Zaniolo picked up an ankle injury against Napoli last weekend. Hence, he could miss the fixture against Inter. Leonardo Spinazzola continues to regain his fitness but will be out of the weekend’s fixture.

Predicted XIs:

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; De Vrij, Skriniar, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Martinez, Correa

Roma (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Veretout, Oliveira, Zalewski; Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Abraham

Roma possess all the ingredients needed to spoil Inter’s party. They did it against Napoli last weekend, with Stephan El Shaarawy scoring an unforeseen equaliser in the added time to splash cold water on the title hopes of the Parthenopeans. It would not be surprising if they did it again this time.

Jyotirmoy Halder

More European Football News