League leaders Inter Milan will take on yet another tough challenge in Serie A as they travel away to take on AS Roma.
Daniele De Rossi has made an instant impact at AS Roma since replacing Jose Mourinho at the helm, but the biggest test comes against Inter Milan. The former Italian international has raked in four wins in as many games in all competitions and has set his side up well ahead of this big clash with league leaders Inter Milan.
De Rossi has brought in fresh ideas for his players to execute, and they have done an admirable job so far. Now, with Inter Milan set to visit Stadio Olimpico, it is a big test for the midfielder to get his first big on that empty managerial CV.
Last weekend, AS Roma were supreme against Cagliari, scoring past their opponents at Stadio Olimpico without a reply. While they will feel confident coming into this big clash, their recent record against Inter Milan has been appalling, losing five of their last six league meetings. Either way, De Rossi has a big task ahead, well beyond the Inter game, as he chases a top-four finish at the end of the season.
While Roma took an excellent leap towards closing their gap over Atalanta, Inter Milan extended their lead at the summit with an all-important victory over Juventus. A Federico Gatti own goal in the first half proved the difference, as the Bianconeri could not muster an equaliser for the remainder of the contest.
Inter Milan have played a game less than Juventus and capitalised in the matchday before as the Bianconeri dropped points against Empoli. With that win in the Derby D’Italia, Simone Inzaghi’s men now have a four-point advantage at the top, something the manager will hope remains the same or extends at the weekend.
Inzaghi will want a win against Roma at all costs, and facing his former side, Lazio’s fiercest rivals should add that extra layer of motivation for him. Inter Milan also have a fantastic recent record to bank upon coming to the Stadio Olimpico, as they will target another statement win in their bid to win the Scudetto.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
Daniele De Rossi does not have too many surprises with his squad’s injury list, with Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling the only fitness-related absentees. Evan Ndicka remains with his national side, meaning the AS Roma boss will have an entire strength squad like he did last weekend.
De Rossi could name the same lineup for the Inter game, considering their 4-0 win gives him no solid reasons to make changes. Yet, he could make a few alterations that are more inclined towards what his team needs rather than anything else.
As things stand, the team might remain the same with the same back of Rick Karsdorp, Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, and Angelino. Similarly, in midfield, Bryan Cristante and Luca Pellegrini will support defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes. Up front, Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy will provide support from the wide areas as Romelu Lukaku leads the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Rick Karsdorp, Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, Shaarawy
Inter Milan
Much like AS Roma, Inter Milan do not have too many injury troubles apart from those who are not expected to return anytime soon.
Those include Juan Cuadrado and midfielder Davide Fratessi. Other than that, Simone Inzaghi has a clean bill of health, and much like his AS Roma counterpart, he might not change anything in the starting lineup that beat Juventus.
Hence, the same back three of Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, and Benjamin Pavard will marshall the backline. Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian will flank from the wing-back positions and accommodate a midfield three sandwiched between them.
Hakan Calhanoglu will continue to operate at the base and provide a deep-lying playmaker. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nicolo Barella will continue to battle in the central areas for Inter Milan. Up front, Inzaghi will not want to change his strike options, with skipper Lautaro Martinez leading the line alongside Marcus Thuram.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have been winning at both half-time and full-time in eight of their last nine matches in Serie A.
- Inter Milan have won eight of their last nine matches in Serie A.
- Inter have won six of their last seven matches against AS Roma in all competitions.
- Inter Milan has a four-point lead at the top of the table.
- Roma have won all three of their domestic games under Daniele De Rossi.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
It is an indifferent night for Lukaku, who was previously adored by the Inter Milan fans but is now a hated figure around San Siro. However, he has managed to get the love of the AS Roma fans following some good performances this season, although they know that the Belgian might not stay beyond the current season.
Hence, this is a special meeting of sorts for the Belgian as he will have a point to prove against his former employers and, more so, to their fans. So Lukaku should be all charged up in this encounter, although there are chances this hype could backfire for the striker.
Prediction
AS Roma 1-2 Inter Milan
AS Roma may come into this clash in supreme form, and their new manager with a point to prove they are facing a formidable Inter Milan side not known to lose too many games this season. Simone Inzaghi will want first blood over the newest of Italian managers and will get his wish.
Inter Milan are in a solid run of form and that will continue heading into the weekend. For now, they are clear favourites to win this encounter in Rome, although Stadio Olympico can get tricky. Overall, this could be the game De Rossi tastes defeat for the first time as a manager.
