Inter Milan will welcome Cremonese, the surprise package they are tied on points with, as they face off at San Siro on Saturday.
Surprisingly level on points in the Serie A standings, Inter Milan and Cremonese will meet at San Siro on Saturday in what promises to be an intriguing clash between two clubs with very different expectations.
The Nerazzurri have endured a mixed start to the new season, already suffering defeats to Udinese and Juventus in the Derby d’Italia. However, Cristian Chivu’s side appear to be finding their rhythm again. A crucial 2-0 Champions League win away at Ajax steadied the mood, and Inter have since picked up successive league victories against Sassuolo and Cagliari.
Their momentum continued in midweek, when they eased past Slavia Prague at San Siro, extending their unbeaten Champions League home run to 17 games. Lautaro Martinez once again led by example, scoring twice, while Denzel Dumfries added another in a convincing 3-0 win. With confidence building, Chivu’s men will aim to secure a fifth straight win before the international break and keep pace with title rivals Napoli, Juventus, and AC Milan.
Inter’s history against Cremonese is limited in recent years, with just two meetings this century, both coming in the 2022/23 season. The Nerazzurri emerged victorious on both occasions, with Lautaro Martinez finding the net each time. But while the Milan giants are the heavy favorites, complacency could be costly given Cremonese’s solid start to life back in Serie A.
Davide Nicola’s men have surprised many by amassing nine points from their first six games, leaving them level with Inter in the standings. Their latest outing saw them grind out a 1-1 draw away to Como, where defender Federico Baschirotto scored his second of the campaign. Cremonese have built their early momentum on resilience, boasting an unbeaten record in Serie A so far. Remarkably, they already stunned AC Milan at San Siro earlier this season, while also picking up wins over Sassuolo and a string of hard-fought draws.
Though knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Palermo on penalties, the Grigiorossi have shown they can be a tough nut to crack and are playing without fear. Nicola’s men will arrive at San Siro brimming with belief that they can upset another of Italy’s big clubs.
With Inter looking to maintain their upward trajectory and Cremonese eager to extend their unbeaten start, Saturday’s contest offers plenty of intrigue despite the clear gap in pedigree between the two sides. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Inter Milan will have to cope without Marcus Thuram, who suffered a thigh injury during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague. The France international striker is not only ruled out for this weekend’s clash with Cremonese but is also expected to miss France’s upcoming international fixtures.
This absence disrupts Inter’s in-form attacking duo, as Thuram had started the season strongly and provided a crucial outlet in transition. Apart from Thuram, Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has no fresh injury or suspension concerns, although he is managing a busy fixture schedule and may look to rotate his squad to keep players fresh.
With Marcus Thuram sidelined, either Francesco Pio Esposito or Ange-Yoan Bonny is expected to step in alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack. Davide Frattesi and Andy Diouf are also candidates to come into midfield if Chivu opts for further changes from his midweek starting XI.
In terms of formation, Inter Milan are likely to deploy their familiar 3-5-2 setup. Yann Sommer will return in goal, protected by a back three of Manuel Akanji on the right of defence, Francesco Acerbi centrally, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. The wing-backs should feature Denzel Dumfries on the right flank and Federico Dimarco on the left, providing width and attacking thrust.
In central midfield, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Petar Sucic will likely combine to offer a blend of creativity, control, and defensive cover. Up front, with Marcus Thuram unavailable, Ange-Yoan Bonny is tipped to partner captain Lautaro Martinez, who scored twice in midweek and boasts three goals in his last two matches against Cremonese.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Bonny, Martinez
US Cremonese
Cremonese have benefited from a full week of preparation ahead of their clash with Inter Milan, though Davide Nicola still has a few absentees to contend with. Former Inter goalkeeper Emil Audero is sidelined with an injury and will not be available to face his old club. Midfielder Michele Collocolo and forward Faris Moumbagna are also ruled out, further limiting the options in the middle and attacking third. These absences will test the squad depth, but Nicola has alternatives ready to step in.
In goal, with Emil Audero unavailable, Marco Silvestri is expected to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, having filled in against Como last weekend. At the back, Cremonese will rely on a three-man defensive line of Filippo Terracciano, Federico Baschirotto, and captain Matteo Bianchetti, who will be tasked with containing Inter’s attacking threats.
Across midfield, Alessio Zerbin is set to feature at right wing-back, with Giuseppe Pezzella on the left, both providing width and defensive support. In central areas, Alberto Grassi, Warren Bondo, and Jari Vandeputte are likely to form the midfield trio, aiming to disrupt Inter’s rhythm while also linking with the attack.
In the forward line, Franco Vazquez and Antonio Sanabria remain the preferred pairing under Nicola, offering a blend of creativity and finishing ability. However, Jamie Vardy, now approaching full fitness, could be considered for his first Serie A start, while Federico Bonazzoli is another option off the bench if tactical adjustments are needed.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Silvestri; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin, Grassi, Bondo, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Vazquez, Sanabria
Key Stats
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Inter Milan have won both of their meetings with Cremonese in the 21st century, scoring five goals across those games and conceding just once.
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The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last 17 Champions League and Serie A home fixtures, with 13 wins and four draws, making the San Siro a fortress.
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Inter MIlan’s captain has scored three goals in two games against Cremonese, continuing his trend of punishing smaller sides in Serie A.
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Despite being newly promoted, Cremonese are level on points with Inter, having collected nine points from their opening five Serie A games with two wins and three draws.
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Inter Milan have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four Serie A games, while Cremonese have conceded at least one goal in four of their last five league outings, suggesting goals are likely.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan’s captain Lautaro Martinez continues to establish himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable forwards and a true talisman for the Nerazzurri. The Argentine has already been decisive in both domestic and European competitions this season, with his sharp finishing and intelligent movement consistently troubling opposition defenses.
Martinez thrives on linking up with his strike partner in Inter’s two-man attack, but even without Marcus Thuram alongside him this weekend, he will shoulder the responsibility of leading the line. His record against Cremonese is particularly impressive, as he has found the net three times in just two appearances against the Lombardy side.
Beyond his goalscoring exploits, Martinez brings leadership, work rate, and a relentless pressing game that embodies Inter’s aggressive style under Cristian Chivu. With Cremonese’s defense likely to be tested heavily at San Siro, Martinez will be the player most capable of making the difference once again.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-0 US Cremonese
Inter Milan come into this fixture in strong form, with four consecutive wins across all competitions and an unbeaten home record in the UEFA Champions League extending into Serie A confidence. Despite missing Marcus Thuram through injury, the Nerazzurri have enough depth in their squad, and with Lautaro Martinez in prolific form, they will expect to secure maximum points at San Siro.
Cremonese, meanwhile, deserve credit for their unbeaten start to the season and their ability to frustrate bigger sides. Their draw against Como and victory over AC Milan show they are no pushovers. However, their defense will face one of its sternest tests of the campaign, especially against Inter’s relentless attacking combinations through Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Denzel Dumfries.
While Davide Nicola’s side may prove stubborn and organized, the difference in quality between the two teams should tell over 90 minutes. Inter’s home advantage, superior attacking firepower, and tactical discipline are likely to overwhelm Cremonese’s resilience.