Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Venezia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Inter Milan‘s midweek win kept them close to top spot in Serie A, and the reigning champions will continue the defence of their Scudetto on Sunday, when Venezia visit San Siro.
While Inter saw off 10-man Empoli, days after dropping two points in the Derby d’Italia, Venezia staged an incredible fightback to record just their second win of the season.
Match preview
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After an extraordinary 4-4 draw with Juventus last weekend, Inter quickly resumed winning ways on Wednesday evening, taking full advantage when Empoli were reduced to 10 men before the break.
Struggling for playing time despite frequently finding the net for Italy, Davide Frattesi was handed a rare start at Stadio Castellani, and he responded by scoring twice before Lautaro Martinez sealed a 3-0 success late on.
Having posted an 11th away win of 2024, topping that chart in Serie A, the Nerazzurri took their unbeaten streak to seven games since losing the Derby della Madonnina to AC Milan, including a 1-0 Champions League victory over Young Boys.
Simone Inzaghi‘s side will tackle Premier League high-flyers Arsenal in the latter competition next week – before a high-stakes showdown with Italian league leaders Napoli, managed by ex-Inter coach Antonio Conte – but first they must host Venezia.
Occupying second place in the standings, having lost just once in 13 matches this season, Inter are expected to take care of business against the Serie A strugglers on Sunday evening.
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By contrast with Inter’s eventual stroll towards success, Venezia had to produce a remarkable turnaround to earn three points on Wednesday, when they welcomed Udinese to Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
The Lagunari were 2-0 down to their regional rivals until captain and top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo pulled one back from the spot – then a red card for the visitors turned the game on its head.
After Udinese were reduced to 10 men, Venezia instantly took advantage, with Hans Nicolussi Caviglia scoring from a free kick to draw them level; in the 86th minute, Pohjanpalo kept his cool again, converting another penalty to complete the comeback.
Last season’s Serie B playoff winners had won just once in all competitions since Eusebio Di Francesco was hired as head coach in the summer, so victory came as sweet relief for all concerned with the Arancioneroverdi.
Away from home, though, Venezia have picked up just two points while conceding an average of more than two goals per game; therefore, a trip to San Siro – where they were thumped 4-0 by Milan in September – may prove particularly daunting.
Inter Milan Serie A form:
Inter Milan form (all competitions):
Venezia Serie A form:
Team News
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Though Simone Inzaghi is expecting to welcome back two regular starters – Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi – this weekend, it remains to be seen if either will be risked ahead of Wednesday’s game against Arsenal.
Kristjan Asllani is available despite some concern surrounding a knee problem, but Brazilian wing-back Carlos Augusto may be missing until after the next international break.
Amid a packed schedule, Inter could make several changes to their starting XI, with reserve strikers Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic on standby to replace regular front pair Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram if required.
Meanwhile, Marin Sverko‘s midweek return leaves left-winger Bjarki Bjarkason as Venezia’s only absentee.
Top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo leads the Lagunari’s front line, linking up with USA international Gianluca Busio in the final third. Ex-Inter forward Gaetano Oristanio will vie with John Yeboah to join them.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi
Venezia possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Idzes, Svoboda, Haps; Zampano, Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ellertsson; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
We say: Inter Milan 3-1 Venezia
Inter have conceded eight goals across their last three Serie A home games – as many as throughout the previous 17 – so Venezia might score at San Siro.
However, the Italian champions are a class above their promoted opponents, and even a rotated side should secure maximum points from Sunday’s late kickoff.
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