Inter Milan vs Parma Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Inter Milan will be keen to keep up their defence of the Coppa Italia title when they take on Parma in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.

Defending champions Inter Milan will be keen to make it to the quarter-finals of this season’s Coppa Italia when they welcome second-division side Parma to the Giuseppe Meazza on Tuesday night.

The Nerazzurri won their 17th crown last season, a tally that is only below Juventus and AS Roma. Parma, for their part, have won the competition five times, the most recent of which came in 2002. The chance of the Crusaders adding a sixth crown this season is rather unlikely.

Simone Inzaghi’s side go into the clash as favourites but have had a Jekyll and Hyde kind of season. The stunning 1-0 win over Napoli last week was followed by a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Monza. While they can be spectacular on their day, Inter, more often than not, know how to shoot themselves in the foot.

Given that they are ten points behind Napoli in the Serie A standings, the Coppa Italia is Inter’s best shot at securing silverware this season. They will do well to take it seriously and aim to go all the way. The winner on the night will face off against either Atalanta or Spezia in the Last Eight, a favourable draw by any means. The chances of either side facing Juventus or AC Milan are remote at least until the semi-finals.

Parma, for their part, are seeking promotion back to the top flight following their relegation in 2020/21. While a top-two spot in Serie B appears to be beyond them, Fabio Pecchia’s side could yet land a playoff spot this season.

I Crociati can do well on their day, and Inter have a reputation for potentially hurting themselves. As long as the second division side takes the game to their more illustrious opponents, Inzaghi and co. could find themselves in a tangle. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Inter Milan

Simone Inzaghi will be furious that his side could not see out the clash against Monza at the weekend, eventually having to settle for a draw. It largely outdid much of the good work they had done earlier that week, downing league leaders Napoli.

Despite the knockout nature of the clash, the Inter boss is expected to make several changes to his starting XI. However, two players who will not be involved are midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and full-back Dalbert. Inzaghi has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from.

Inter have largely trademarked the 3-5-2 formation under Inzaghi, and the Italian appears keen to die on that hill. Veteran shot-stopper Samir Handanovic should start in goal behind the back three of Danilo D’Ambrosio, Stefan de Vrij, and Federico Dimarco.

Denzel Dumfries is likely to start at right wing-back and will be keen to atone for his own goal at the weekend. Parma has been rather susceptible in defence, and the Dutchman should have a field day should he turn up on the night.

Robin Gosens should occupy the other flank, with the trio of Roberto Gagliardini, Kristjan Asllani and Hakan Calhanoglu forming the central midfield trifecta. Romelu Lukaku is likely to start upfront, with Joaquin Correa being handed a rare start. While it is far from Inter’s best XI, they should have enough in their kitty to see off Parma.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Dimarco; Dumfries, Gagliardini, Asllani, Calhanoglu, Gosens; Correa, Lukaku

Parma

Parma have fallen from grace in recent years and have been steadily rising up the ranks following the drop to obscurity. However, the relegation in 2020/21 was a dampener, and their aim currently remains to get back to the top flight.

Parma are currently in the sixth spot, nine points off Reggina in the second spot in Serie B. With an automatic qualification spot beyond them, Fabio Pecchia and co. still are very well in the running to secure a playoff spot.

The second-division side are in the same boat as Inter as far as inconsistency goes, and one isn’t sure what to expect of them on any given day. Parma have steadily bought into Pecchia’s system and are fairly comfortable under the Italian.

The visitors will be without Elias Cobbaut, Gabriel Charpentier, Cristian Ansaldi and Valentin Mihaila on the night. Pecchia is likely to deploy his men in a 4-5-1 formation that can keep things tight in the middle of the park. Parma have shown themselves to be adventurous at times and will hope to hit the Nerazzurri on the counter.

Legendary Azzurri ace Gianluigi Buffon continues to struggle with a hamstring injury and will not make the trip to the Giuseppe Meazza. So Leandro Chichizola will start in his stead behind the back four of Enrico Del Prato, Yordan Osorio, Lautaro Valenti and Jayden Oosterwolde.

Dennis Man and Gennaro Tutino will offer the width, while Simon Sohm, Adrian Bernabe and Stanko Juric add numbers in the middle of the pitch. 33-year-old Franco Vazquez scored twice against Venezia at the weekend and should start up front on the night.

Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Chichizola; Del Prato, Osorio, Valenti, Oosterwolde; Man, Sohm, Bernabe, Juric, Tutino; Vazquez

Key Stats

• Both teams have faced off 65 times so far across all competitions, with Inter Milan winning 27 times. Parma have come out on top 19 times, with the rest ending in a draw.
• Inter are currently on a five-game unbeaten run against Parma, winning three games and drawing two others.
• Parma have kept just four clean sheets against Inter Milan in their last 22 meetings.
• A win on the night will see Parma reach the quarter-final of the competition for the first time since 2014/15.

Player to Watch

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian striker is back on the field but is yet to hit his stride for Inter Milan. A shadow of his former self, Lukaku can rediscover his mojo should he score a goal or two on the night.

A difficult man to mark when in his element, he is likely to lead the line on the night, with Joaquin Correa dropping deeper to create space and opportunities. As long as Lukaku has his finishing shoes on, he could very well find himself among the goals against Parma.

Prediction

Inter Milan 3-1 Parma

Despite Parma perhaps fancying their chances, Inter will be keen to respond following their draw to Monza. More so, the visitors are also rather open at the back and could lose steam in the final half hour of the game.

Inter also have better players to bring on when needed, something that can swing the tie in their favour. Parma could keep things tight for the first half hour. But ultimately, Inter’s quality should show.