On Wednesday evening, Inter Milan will host Fiorentina at San Siro in a crucial Serie A matchup. After suffering a disappointing loss to Napoli, Inter aims to bounce back against a struggling Fiorentina. The match’s significance is heightened due to both clubs’ current form within the league.
Match Preview: Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina
Inter Milan, having lost their last match 3-1 against Napoli, will seek to recover from their first defeat since September. That loss ended a seven-game winning streak and marked a setback in their quest for the Scudetto. Despite a momentary revival when Hakan Calhanoglu scored from the penalty spot, the team struggled to capitalize on scoring chances and ultimately faced defeat.
Fiorentina finds itself in a dire situation, sitting in the Serie A drop zone. They have not secured a victory this season, accumulating only four points from eight matches. Their recent match against Bologna ended in a draw, where two penalties scored by Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean allowed them to salvage a point. However, they narrowly avoided a fourth consecutive home loss.
Recent Form
- Inter Milan: L W W W W L
- Fiorentina: D W L L W D
Team News
Inter Milan’s squad faces injury challenges, with Marcus Thuram ruled out due to a hamstring issue. Captain Lautaro Martinez is expected to lead the attack, potentially with either Ange-Yoan Bonny or Francesco Pio Esposito. Midfield changes may occur following Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s thigh strain, which he sustained in the previous game.
Conversely, Fiorentina will field their strongest team as head coach Stefano Pioli attempts to stabilize his position. Moise Kean is anticipated to start, possibly alongside Gudmundsson or Roberto Piccoli. Notably, Edin Dzeko, a veteran striker, will be available on the bench. However, Tariq Lamptey and Christian Kouame will miss the game due to injuries.
Projected Lineups
| Inter Milan | Fiorentina |
|---|---|
| Martinez | De Gea |
| Akanji, De Vrij, Bastoni | Comuzzo, Mari, Ranieri |
| Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco | Dodo, Mandragora, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ndour, Gosens |
| Esposito | Gudmundsson, Kean |
Prediction
Given their current form and home advantage, predictions lean towards Inter Milan claiming a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. With heightened tensions following their recent loss, Inter will likely intensify their efforts against a struggling Viola side. Expectations are low for Fiorentina, who will need a significant turnaround to avoid a continued downward spiral.
