Here we go again ragazzi, seria A resumes this weekend at the early time of 6.30am Sunday AEST as Inter look to snap a 3 game losing streak in all competitions at the expense of newly promoted Parma.
Following the shock 0-1 loss to Bologna in front of a screaming, packed out Meazza, Inter showcased once again why they cannot necessarily be counted on to reach their potential, with a host of first team, influential players currently under performing on all fronts.
Captain Mauro Icardi’s goal drought, compiled by the lack of motivation of Raja Nainggolan & Ivan Perisic have highlighted the lack of leadership and world class application to Inter’s performances (although the latter did see a more positive performance come against Bologna).
For Inter to resume to winning ways this week, they will need to take on fan favouries Parma, who will be high on confidence and motivation after clawing back to grab an incredible 3-3 draw against lead leaders Juventus, with Gervinho scoring two goals.
Team news:
Inter was hit with the saddening news this week that right back Sime Vrslajko will play no further part in Inter’s campaign, with a host of injuries ruling him out of the majority of the season. The right back returns to Atletico Madrid where he will resume rehab.
Spanish midfielder Borja Valero & Italian wide man Matteo Politano also sit this one out through injury & suspension respectively.
Inter fans will no doubt be hoping to see new signing Cedric Soares start his first full 90 minutes along with Keita Balde potentially returning to the starting XI.
Parma on the other hand has almost a full squad to work with apart from midfielder Alberto Grassi who is out with a ligament injury.
Gervinho:
The player Inter will need to keep an eye on the most would have to be Ivorian born Gervinho. With 8 goals and 3 assists already this season, the attacker has also managed an 81% pass completion rate, contributing to the overall build up, hold up and finishing process for the Gialloblù.
Parma XI: Sepe; Iacoponi, Alves, Bastoni, Gagliolo; Barilla, Scozzarella, Kucka; Biabiany, Inglese, Gervinho
Inter XI: Handanovic; Soares, de Vrij, Skriniar, Dalbert; Nainggolan, Brozovic, Gagliardini; Candreva, Icardi, Perisic
CURRENT FORM:
Inter:
Inter 0-1 Bologna
Inter 1-1 Lazio (Coppa Italia)
Torino 1-0 Inter
Inter 0-0 Sassuolo
Inter 6-2 Benevento (Coppa)
Parma:
Juventus 3-3 parma
Parma 2-3 Spal
Udinese 2-1 Parma
Fiorentina 0-1 Parma
Parma 0-0 Bologna
HEAD TO HEAD:
Since 2005, the two sides have met 22 times with Inter winning 11, drawn 5 and Parma taking 6 wins. The most recent meeting between the two sides was the reverse fixture on match day 4 this season where parma defeated a hapless Inter 0-1 at the meazza with Inter youth product DiMarco scoring a screamer.
Prediction:
At the moment, it is hard to be positive as an Inter fan going into this one. With a lack of leadership, hapless mentality and current issues with management, it isn’t hard to see why the Parma faithful are the more optimistic of the two sides.
This match in my opinion will boil down to who wants it more. Inter need to dig deep and a few of their bigger players previously mentioned in this article (Icardi, Raja & Ivan) will desperately need to step it up and show the fans why they are still world class footballers.
If Inter can pull it together, they should be able to get the victory. That however, is a lot easier said than done for a side who has not scored a goal from open play since the 6-2 drubbing of Benevento in the Coppa.
Parma 0-0 Inter
