Inter face Torino in what is a repeat of the second match of the Serie A season. Reflecting back on that match Inter should have taken away the full 3 points, instead only with 1. Inter took an early 1st half lead of 2-0, and ultimately their match ended at half time. Torino on the other hand had other plans, coming back and scoring 2 in the second half. This put Inter in a very precarious position in the league, with 1 point from 2 matches.
Let’s fast forward to the present day, a lot has changed. After 20 matches Inter is sitting in 3rd position and Torino in 11th. On that statistic alone, it would be safe to say that Inter should win it. BUT, Inter have proven time and time again, that nothing is a guarantee in the Serie A, following their draw with Sassuolo most recently. Inter have not lost in their last 5 Serie A fixtures (3W & 2D), whereas Torino have had a bumpy road recording 1W 2D & 2L.
Team News:
Torino will be without Souhahilo Meite who scored against Inter on match day 2. This is due to suspension, a direct red card. Defender Emiliano Moretti and midfielder Daniele Baselli are also being monitored due to injury. Whilst Inter will be without substitute Keita Balde who is also out due to injury.
What this means:
This match is more important to Inter than meets the eye. At first it would seem that it is only a match between 3rd and 11th place, but it is more. This weekend of fixtures see matches between 1st (Juventus) and 6th (Lazio), 2nd (Napoli) and 4th (Milan), and finally 5th (Roma) and 7th (Atalanta). So it is important to see that this match is more than meets the eye. If Inter get the full 3 points, and walk away with a win they will do 1 of two things: close the gap on 1st or 2nd. Or they will extend their lead over 4th, 5th, and 6th. So it is imperative that Inter do all they can to walk away with 3 points.
Key players:
Torino has an explosive front line that cannot be dismissed. The Italian duo of Simone Zaza and Andrea Belotti will be extremely dangerous against Inter. Furthermore former PSG goal keeper Salvatore Sirigu in goals is another reason to be worried.
It is imperative that Icardi makes himself more known this match. He has been quite subdued in his last matches. Reason for this can also be put onto the midfield. Nainggolan must put up a big performance; he has been too quite all season. Perisic is also a man, who can change the match up with his deadly crosses from the wing.
Prediction
It wouldn’t be hard to say that Inter should win this match. Overall it wouldn’t be a total surprise if the end result matches the first time these teams met this season. Torino since match day 2 has lacked finesse and substance, leading them to be in 12th position. Inter’s squad should overcome the challenge that Torino has to offer, but as history has displayed, nothing’s a guarantee. Ultimately it would have to be Inter who have the upper hand on Torino.
Score: 0-1 Inter (Icardi)
