Inter Milan vs Genoa – News and Probable Lineups

Eliminated from European competition midweek, Inter de Milão must set aside their disappointment on Saturday night as they face relegation-battling Genoa in Serie A.

Despite suffering a defeat to Bodo/Glimt at San Siro, Inter remains strong favorites to secure the Scudetto, having achieved seven consecutive league victories.

Match overview

After losing by two goals in Norway, Inter needed a significant turnaround when they hosted the Norwegian newcomers Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Champions League playoff.

However, the Tuesday night fixture at San Siro saw the hosts miss out on the round of 16, as Bodo capitalized on counterattacks, winning 2-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.

Although Alessandro Bastoni managed to score a late goal, Inter suffered due to inefficient finishing in the absence of their top scorer and captain, Lautaro Martinez: out of 30 attempts, only seven were on target.

Following such a disheartening exit, the three-time European champions will now focus on domestic competitions, with Cristian Chivu’s side still positioned well for a league and cup double.

Inter is poised to reclaim the Italian title, having secured seven successive Serie A wins, while a double-header Coppa Italia semi-final against Como is approaching.

Last week, a 2-0 triumph in Lecce was marked by late goals from substitutes Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji, propelling Chivu’s team 10 points ahead of local rivals AC Milan.

With 13 Serie A matches played recently, of which they have won all but one, and averaging 2.6 goals per game, the Nerazzurri present a formidable challenge – history indicates they are likely to secure another victory this weekend.

Completely dominating in their recent encounters, Inter have emerged victorious in their last 11 home fixtures against Genoa, achieving nine clean sheets throughout this streak.

Following a 2-1 defeat at home in the season’s earlier meeting, Genoa has failed to win any of the last 13 league encounters with Inter, suffering 10 defeats and scoring a mere five goals.

In fact, the last time the Grifone triumphed over Inter dates back to February 2018, placing them at a significant historical disadvantage as they return to San Siro.

Genoa’s recent 3-0 victory at home against Torino was crucial for their Serie A survival hopes, especially after their opponents were reduced to 10 men just before half time.

Since Daniele De Rossi took over as head coach in the autumn, only Inter, Como, and Juventus have scored more goals, and a previously underperforming attack now boasts the league’s highest shot conversion rate during this timeframe.

While their backline has been inconsistent at times, the Ligurian side has maintained clean sheets in both of their previous two matches.

Nonetheless, they remain in a precarious situation, sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone amongst six teams striving to avoid the last relegation spot.

Team News

With captain Martinez sidelined due to a calf injury until next month, Chivu will need to select two players from Françasco Pio Esposito, Marcus Thuram, and Ange-Yoan Bonny to spearhead the attack.

Additionally, Bastoni is banned, so either Carlos Augusto or Françasco Acerbi is expected to take his position in the home side’s defensive trio.

On a positive note for the Nerazzurri, Denzel Dumfries has made a successful return from an extended injury layoff, while key midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are available again after serving Serie A suspensions last weekend.

On the left flank, set-piece expert Federico Dimarco has contributed at least one assist in each of his last five league outings, accumulating eight assists throughout that stretch.

Meanwhile, Genoa will look to AC Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo for inspiration at San Siro: since De Rossi’s arrival in November, only Martinez has netted more than the striker’s six Serie A goals.

Backup goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist remains unavailable due to injury, while English wing-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy is a significant doubt.

Inter Milan probable starting XI:

Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Augustus; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Bonny, Esposito

Genoa probable starting XI:

Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Malinoxyi, Martin; Baldanzi, Vitinha; Columbus

Commanding in domestic competitions, Inter will seek to maintain their dominance over Genoa, despite their recent disappointing exit from European football.

The Nerazzurri will have a point to prove in front of their supporters, and another victory would bring them closer to clinching the title.