Outside Chance of Champions League for Inter
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Having dropped points last time out at Torino, Inter Milan must defeat Sampdoria at the San Siro, to keep themselves in contention for a Champions League place next season.
As Napoli drew Serie A champions Juventus on Sunday night, Inter know they can close the gap between themselves and the team in third to 6 points. It would be a great incentive to get back to winning ways and give the players something to aim for towards the end of the season.
Trends show Inter have lost only two of their last fourteen matches in Serie A, which is a good record. The two defeats have come against the current top two teams in the league table, which shows Inter have been doing well against the teams below them this season.
At home, Inter have only lost two matches in Serie A, against Cagliari and Roma. The Nerazzurri have won nine of the last ten league games at the San Siro and will be confident of adding another win to that impressive run.
Following the international break, Stefano Pioli has no injury problems to worry about and can select from a full squad of players. It’s expected the Italian will continue to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Roberto Gagliardini and Geoffrey Kondogbia playing in the central midfield area of the team. Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva are expected to operate on the wings with Argentine striker Mauro Icardi leading the line.
Unfortunately for Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo, he does not have a full squad to choose from and although he has only one player missing, it is an important one. Striker Luis Muriel was injured while on international duty with Colombia and will miss the match.
The absence of Muriel means Giampaolo may revert to a 4-3-2-1 with Fabio Quagliarella as the lone striker. There could be a place in the starting XI for Patrik Schick, who may join Bruno Fernandes in support of the lone striker.
Sampdoria defeated Inter when the Nerazzurri were managed by Frank de Boer earlier this season. The win should give the Sampdoria players confidence they can pick something up from this game. Sampdoria have lost just one of their last eight Serie A games, with the defeat coming last time out at home to Juventus. They have proven difficult to beat of late.
Away from home Sampdoria are undefeated in three, including a 1-0 win at the San Siro against AC Milan, so they know how to pick up points at the famous stadium.
The Blucerchiati are going to be tough for Inter to beat and the home side may have to be patient in their approach. However, the loss of Luis Muriel is a blow to Sampdoria, who will miss his presence up-front and this could allow Inter to relax a little more defensively. The visitors may struggle to create anything of note in the attacking third, leaving Inter to pick up a narrow victory.
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