This Sunday’s early fixture has the Nerazzurri travelling to Bologna to face Donadoni’s misfiring Rossoblu. Match at 1230 CET.
Stefano Pioli’s men showed impressive mental strength by bouncing back from the Derby D’Italia loss brushing Empoli aside last week. While Inter are still missing their captain Mauro Icardi, the highly dangerous Ivan Perisic returns to the side after serving his one match suspension.
Ever since the match against Juve, Pioli has shown his lack of faith in any of his left flank full backs, opting instead to use a three man defence, with Antonio Candreva and Danilo D’Ambrosio stepping up as wing backs. Questions remain as to whether Pioli will again follow the same blueprint or if he will reassign Gary Medel to the midfield in order to fill the gap resulting from some personnel missing there.
Bologna are currently on a three loss streak that’s seen them let in a remarkable eleven goals. Coach Roberto Donadoni had a host of injury troubles to deal with as well, not least of which is the loss of top scorer Mattia Destro and veteran defender Daniels Gastaldello.
It’s difficult to see how Donadoni will set his side up here, will he defend and try and break the losing streak or will he throw caution to the wind and play an open game trying to take the game to the visitors, either way, it won’t be a straightforward encounter for the visitors.
Team News
Pioli’s midfield headache which started with Marcelo Brozovic’s injury against Juventus has been compounded by Geoffrey Kondogbia’s booking and eventual on match ban which he picked up last week. With Mauro Icardi still suspended due to the post Juve shenanigans, the impressive Eder will probably slot in his place again.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (3-4-2-1) Handanovic; Miranda, Murillo, Medel; D’Ambrosio, Gagliardini, Joao Mario, Candreva; Perisic, Palacio (C); Eder.
Stats
Last Season: Bologna 0 – 1 Inter
Last 10 Head to Head: in the last ten Serie A encounter between both sides, there have been as many draws as there have been Inter wins.
Player to Watch:
Roberto Gagliardini: With Kondogbia suspended and Brozovic injured, the highly impressive youngster will have his chance to shine as the in-form central midfielder. With Bologna’s defence in particularly porous form at the moment, Gagliardini may well finally get his scoring tally with Inter off the mark.
Officials
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni
Assistants: Crispo, Valeriani
Fourth Official: Paganessi
Additional Assistants: Rocchi, Gavillucci
Prediction & Authors Note
Prediction & scorers: Bokogna 0-2 Inter with Eder and Gagliardini scoring.
Author’s Note: Yet another ordinarily straightforward encounter that’s become complicated with circumstance, and as with the Empoli match last week, Pioli’s man-management and motivational skills will need to be at their best to ensure that Inter return to Appiano with an essential three points.
Words: Mohamed Nassar – Follow him @MNassar
