Inter Milan, fresh from their Derby d’Italia win, are looking to extend their lead at the top of Serie A against a revitalized Roma this Saturday at Stadio Olimpico.
Roma, under new leadership, aims to climb higher in the standings, while Inter is eyeing their fifth consecutive league victory.
Match Preview
Inter’s recent victory over Juventus, their main rivals, has positioned them as strong contenders for the Serie A title. An own goal by Federico Gatti gave them an early lead, which they maintained until the end, marking their sixth win in a row in 2024.
This winning streak has not only secured the Supercoppa Italiana for them but also widened the gap with their closest competitors.
Inter has now scored in 22 consecutive Serie A games, a rare feat, putting them four points ahead of Juventus with a game in hand. Their excellent goal difference is the best in Europe’s top five leagues, slightly ahead of Bayern Munich.
Despite injuries, new additions like Benjamin Pavard and Yann Sommer have strengthened Inter’s defense, contributing to their impressive record of conceding only 10 league goals so far.
Roma, however, has struggled against Inter in recent times, losing five of their last six league encounters. Since the dismissal of Jose Mourinho, Roma has seen a change in fortunes under Daniele De Rossi, winning all three matches since his appointment.
A win against Inter would be a significant achievement for De Rossi, marking four consecutive wins at the start of his tenure.
Roma’s recent success has brought them closer to the Champions League spots, and they remain unbeaten at home since September. However, the upcoming match against Inter will be a real test of their progress.
Roma Serie A Form: L D L W W W
Roma Form (All Competitions): L L W W W W
Inter Milan Serie A Form: W D W W W W
Inter Milan Form (All Competitions): W W W W W W
Team News
Simone Inzaghi is likely to stick with his preferred 3-5-2 setup, with Inter’s lineup remaining largely unchanged.
Injuries have sidelined Juan Cuadrado and Davide Frattesi, but Inter’s main squad is ready for action.
Lautaro Martinez is close to hitting 20 goals for the third season in a row, and Hakan Calhanoglu is on track to reach double figures in goals for the first time in a decade.
Romelu Lukaku, now with Roma, is aiming for his tenth goal of the season, supported by Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy. Despite Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling’s absence, Roma’s lineup remains strong, with Sardar Azmoun returning to the team.
Possible Starting Lineups
Roma:
Patricio;
Karsdorp, Mancini, Llorente, Angelino;
Pellegrini, Paredes, Cristante;
El Shaarawy, Dybala;
Lukaku
Inter Milan:
Sommer;
Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni;
Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco;
Thuram, Martinez
Prediction: Roma 2-2 Inter Milan
This matchup features two teams in excellent form, making for an exciting clash. With both teams known for their late-game scoring, expect a thrilling finish to this game.
