It’s been another tough year for Inter Milan, although they’re at least managing to maintain a respectable fifth place standing. The nerazzurri are winless in their last four games, three of which they played at home against inferior teams. Sampdoria might not a team of Inter’s qualities, but right now they must look scary to the interisti. They’re hard-working, highly motivated and in-form - not exactly the ideal opponent against which Inter could finally grab a win.
Sampdoria vs. Inter Milan: Preview and TV Schedule
Despite being nine points out, Sampdoria still harbor a faint belief that they can make the Europa League. But Inter are looking to break a bad run of form and won’t be eager to let Samp chase their dream.
Since the arrival of Siniša Mihajlović, Sampdoria have playedvery aggressive football. At the Marassi in particular, Samp tend to apply relentless pressure to their opponents, typically with good results for the hosts. The blucerchiati are without Manolo Gabbiadi, who’s out injured, but Mihajlović will be hoping that the return of top-scorer Éder will help compensate for the loss of the young forward, who’s netted eight times this season. It may help that Inter’s defense, already not what you’d call solid, is made weaker with the loss of Juan Jesus. The talented defender will miss the rest of the season, and is likely to be replaced by the less-talented Ronaldo.
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Walter Mazzarri is under plenty of pressure, with talks of his sacking being a certainty should Inter fail to qualify for Europe. That won't cause the coach to change his tactics, however: the nerazzurri are almost certain to sit back and try to hurt Sampdoria on the break. It hasn't worked over the past couple games, however, with Bologna and Livorno, both relegation candidates, able to come back and get a point after Inter's counters failed.
With Mihajlović himself rumored to be in the running for the Inter job, it should be interesting to see if he manages to outwit Mazzarri.
Sampdoria injuries and suspensions
Manolo Gabbiadini, Gaetano Berardi (injured)
Inter Milan injuries and suspensions
Juan Jesus (injured), Jonathan (in doubt)
Projected line ups
Sampdoria (4-3-3): Júnior da Costa, Vasco Regini, Daniele Gastaldello, Shkodran Mustafi, Lorenzo De Silvestri; Renan, Nenad Krstičić, Angelo Palombo; Gianluca Sansone, Maxi Lopez, Eder
Inter (3-5-2): Samir Handanović; Rolando, Walter Samuel, Andrea Ranocchia; Yuto Nagatomo, Hernanes, Esteban Cambiasso, Mateo Kovačić; Mauro Icardi, Rodrigo Palacio
Match date/time:
Sudnay, April 13, 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET
Venue:
Stadio Marassi, Genoa
TV:
Sky Calcio 1, Premium Calcio 2
Online:
beIN Sports Play, bet365.com
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