This weekend Inter travel to Modena to face top flight newcomers Carpi in week 2 of the Serie A 2015/16 season this Sunday 30 August (kick off 20:45 CET).
Inter have made a number of changes this season in a bid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Many of the new signings made their debuts last weekend but it seemed like the problems from last season remained.
But this new Inter side showed their character and with the game set to finish goalless, Inter finally scored in the 93rd minute thanks to a Stevan Jovetic wonder goal to seal an important 3 points against Atalanta.
As for Carpi, the past few seasons have been a whirlwind as four years ago they were playing in the Italian third division Lega Pro.
Carpi were Serie B champions last season and there was a wave of excitement around the club ahead of the new Serie A season but the Modena based side crashed back down to Earth with a bump after a 5-2 loss away to Sampdoria in week 1.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport:
Inters defensive line up is expected to stay the same as against Atalanta last week with Samir Handanovic in goals, with Davide Santon at right back and Juan Jesus at left back. The central defensive partnership of Miranda and Jeison Murillo completes Inter’s backline after a good Serie A debut together.
In midfield Geoffrey Kondogbia and Gary Medel are expected to start alongside Fredy Guarin who has recovered from injury.
In the trequartista role Hernanes is expected to replace Marcelo Brozovic who sprained his ankle last week. At this stage the Croatian is in the squad and he could be a surprise starter.
Up top the big news is that Mauro Icardi will miss the game with a thigh strain picked up last weekend. There was a touch of controversy though as Icardi picked up a knock during the warmup before the Atalanta game and despite Inter’s reservations, the striker decided to play on and aggravated the injury resulting in his substitution after only 15 minutes.
Last week’s match winner Stevan Jovetic is expected to line up with Rodrigo Palacio.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-3-1-2) Handanovic; Santon, Miranda, Murillo, Juan Jesus; Medel, Kondogbia, Guarin, Hernanes; Jovetic, Palacio.
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Montoya, Ranocchia, D’Ambrosio, Nagatomo, Di Marco, Gnoukouri, Brozovic, Manaj.
Some Stats:
This will be the first ever Serie A meeting between Carpi and Inter.
In pre season the two sides faced each other in a friendly with Inter coming out on top 4-2 thanks to goals from Rodrigo Palacio, Mauro Icardi, Hernanes and Samuele Longo.
Player to Watch: Stevan Jovetic – After scoring and rescuing Inter last week in front of the Inter fans, I fully expect the Montenegrin to hit the scoresheet again and continue his great start back in Italian football.
My Prediction: Carpi 1-3 Inter
Scorers: Matos (Carpi), Hernanes, Jovetic, Palacio (Inter)
Officials: Referee: Davide Massa Assistants: Crispo, Tasso
Fourth Official: Paganessi Additional Assistants: Cervellera, Pairetto
Author’s Note: Inter have already stolen a march on their rivals after last weekend’s results and I expect them to take advantage in this game. Carpi will have a full house to cheer them on in their first ever Serie A match at the Stadio Alberto Braglia but I firmly believe in Inter’s quality to keep up their winning start to the season.
