Inter Milan have started the new Serie A season better than even they could've hoped, and find themselves trailing league leaders Fiorentina on tiebreakers alone after six rounds. It's still early days, but Roberto Mancini's side bought well over the summer, and seem to finally have a team capable of competing for the scudetto once more. Given that they've spent the last few years in the mid-table wasteland, their return to competitiveness is certainly welcomed by supporters.
Inter Milan vs. Sampdoria 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Inter Milan will hope to go back to the top of the Serie A table with a result against Sampdoria on Sunday.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
They'll look to bounce back from their only defeat of the season so far -- a surprise 4-1 loss at home to Fiorentina -- away at Sampdoria on Sunday, though the Ligurians shouldn't make life easy for Inter. They may have lost coach Siniša Mihajlović to the red half of Milan over the summer, but his replacement Walter Zenga has gotten off to a steady start since being announced as his successor. They've picked up a respectable 10 points from their opening six games, and will be out for revenge after losing to Atalanta last time out.
Key player: Adem Ljajić (Inter Milan)
The absence of Stevan Jovetić means Adem Ljajić will almost certainly start as Inter's trequartista in this match, playing off forwards Mauro Icardi -- formerly of Sampdoria -- and summer signing Ivan Perišić. It was a surprise to see AS Roma allow Ljajić to leave to Inter in the summer: He's clearly a player of considerable talent, and at only 24 years old, young enough to blossom into one of Serie A's best. If Samp don't mark him well in this game, he could well do damage.
Upset potential: Medium
This result will probably hinge on how well Inter is able to bounce back from the disappointment of the defeat to Fiorentina. If Mancini has managed to keep his side’s spirits up, they could find it quite easy to swat a solid-if-unspectacular mid-table team like Samp aside. If not, they could find Samp’s industrious, tough-tackling midfield difficult to break down, making this a game of fine margins.
Sampdoria injuries and suspensions
Out: Matías Silvestre, Lorenzo De Silvestri, Andrea Coda (knee); Mattia Cassani (thigh); Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (unspecified). In doubt: None.
Inter Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Dodô (knee); Stevan Jovetić (hamstring); Danilo D'Ambrosio (unspecified); João Miranda (suspended). In doubt: None.
Sampdoria's biggest injury problems come in defense, with experienced center backs Matías Silvestre and Andrea Coda missing, as well as first-choice right back Lorenzo De Silvestri. Further up the field they're comparatively healthy, with all of their best attackers available.
The same can’t be said of Inter, who will be without Jovetić as the result of a hamstring injury. Starting center back João Miranda will also miss out through suspension. Backup fullbacks Dodô and Danilo D’Ambrosio are also sidelined.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada -- English), RAI Internazionale (U.S. and Canada -- Italian), BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: Fubo TV (U.S.), beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)
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