Serie A PREVIEW | Inter v Fiorentina

After suffering an enduring spell in recent times, Inter will aim to get back to winning ways in Serie A when they face Fiorentina tomorrow at the San Siro.

The Nerazzurri approach this match on the back of a winless run in consecutive three games across all competitions. With Napoli running away with Scudetto this season, Inter looked firm to finish as the runners-up but their recent performances have inflicted a deterring impact on their stride. 

M’Bala Nzonzi’s 87th-minute penalty strike helped Spezia claim all three points as they obliterated the possibilities of an Inter comeback which potentially could have started with Romelu Lukaku’s spot kick goal in the 83rd minute. In their most recent league fixture against Juventus, Filip Kostic’s 23rd minute stood the difference as Simone Inzaghi’s side tumbled down yet again. 

Though they secured safe passage to the Champions League quarter-finals stage with a resolute defensive performance against Porto, Inter are now set to face Benfica in the last-8. 

It is a massive opportunity for the Nerazzurri to uplift their spirits as a win against their Tuscan opponents would settle the nerves and make them ready against the Bianconeri in their upcoming Coppa Italia clash.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina will aim to build on their dominating form and produce another great performance to continue their climb in the league table. 

Vincenzo Italiano’s men had a fantastic March as they have now secured eight successive wins across all competitions. With two-legged Coppa Italia semi-finals and Conference League quarter-finals coming up, the Viola are set to experience a packed-up April and they will aim not to compromise on their league objective while playing in the other competitions.

Fiorentina suffered a late heartbreak in the reverse game at Florence in October when Luka Jovic equalised the scores in the 90th minute but Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s added time strike left the hosts empty-handed in a thrilling 4-3 scoreline. However, things have changed since, and tomorrow’s visitors will aim to get a deserved victory so as to aid their uphill climb.

Results in their last five matches across all competitions

Inter:

L D L W L

Fiorentina:

W W W W W

Team News

Inter are expected to miss midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu after he suffered a minor injury while representing Turkey during the International break. 

Defender Milan Skriniar is ruled out of this fixture with back problems and right-back Danilo D’Ambrosio remains suspended for this match following shown a red card in the Juventus match. Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni are set to return to the starting eleven. 

After an enthralling international break, Romelu Lukaku will aim to keep on rejuvenating as he is expected to partner up with Lautaro Martinez up front.

As for Fiorentina, Aleksa Terzic and Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu are ruled out with long-term injuries. Striker Luka Jovic has contracted a virus and is set to be sidelined. 

Arthur Cabral is set to replace the former Real Madrid man up front. Nicolas Gonzalaz and Riccardo Saponara are tilted to start.

Predicted XIs

Inter (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Gosens; Martinez, Lukaku

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi; Amrabat, Bonaventura; Gonzalez, Barak, Saponara; Cabral

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN