Italian Serie A Match Preview, Week 2: Cagliari vs Inter Milan
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Today, at the Unipol Domus, Cagliari will welcome Inter Milan to their home ground for the round 2 of 2023/24 Serie A season with both sides gunning for the maximum points in this encounter. For the home side, they were able to grab a point away from home against Torino, but they know that today’s opponent will present a different kind of opposition.
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Nobody knows the enormity of the task ahead other than Cagliari Manager, Claudio Ranieri, who had a brief, unsuccessful spell as Inter boss over a decade ago. He arrived midway through last season and led the Rossoblu back to the Serie A via the dramatic Serie B playoffs; securing a return to the top flight just 12 months after relegation.
In the game against Torino, they were restricted to just two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes, but picking up such points on the road could hold the key to staving off an immediate return to Italy’s second tier. Against Inter, Cagliari will be aiming to go unbeaten in their first two Serie A fixtures for the first time since 2011, but in spite of having home advantage they remain outsiders to prevail in today’s encounter.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Serie A match, the coach praised the Nerazzurri for reaching last season’s Champions League final, but was also confident that his team can still have their say. “We’re coming up against a team who reached the Champions League final,” Ranieri noted.
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“One of the best teams in Italy.” “It will be a tough match, but we’re looking forward to it. As always, we’ll have a go.” “We’re ready,” Ranieri made clear. “Every coach studies his opposition. This is not a question of David versus Gollaith. “We know what we’re up against. Inter have lost just two of their last fourteen matches, and we know what that means.”
“We just have to approach this match as one group of players up against another,” Ranieri continued. “They can count on the individual quality of some top-class players,” he noted. “We can play a good match, but then one moment from one of their best players can unlock it.”
“Inter are good at everything, they lead the league in crosses, they’re a team that know how to attack, counterattack.” He called Inter “A perfect team. Otherwise they couldn’t have reached the Champions League final.” He further added.
For Inter Milan and Simone Inzaghi, this season presents them the best possible chance to win another League title and add a second star to their badge and it is against these type of opponents that their title credentials will be tested and it will help to further show that their performance from last season wasn’t just a fluke.
Despite a couple of exits, they’ve also recruited very well and are also on the verge of sealing a deal for Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard to replace Milan Skriniar in the right centre-back role. Another win on this trip will set a record, as the Nerazzurri could record consecutive wins to start a top-flight season for the fifth season running, an incredible feat which could be achieved for the first time in the club’s history.
And having won six of their last seven away games, including the last three in a row, they will fancy their chances against Cagliari. They also need to grab these points as they will be facing Fiorentina and AC Milan in their next two games, two tough opponents that will be harder to beat than today’s opponent.
Style Of Play
Ranieri usually lineup with the 4-4-2 formation with two defensive midfielders while the two wingers try to support the two strikers and also track back to help the defense when they’re out of possession, but there’s a report that he’s planning on playing the 3-4-3 formation, without a striker while also putting more bodies in the midfield to prevent the home side from dominating possession.
For Inter manager, Inzaghi, the 3-5-2 formation remains constant with a patient buildup from the back as they try to find the forward runs of their wing-backs or strikers while the midfield help keep possession and also stop any potential counter attack.
Recent Form
In their last 20 games played across all competitions, Cagliari have 12 wins, 7 draws and just one loss. They will be hoping to get at least a point from this game. Inter Milan on the other hand, in their last 20 games played across all competitions, they have 16 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. They’re unbeaten in their pre-season games with 4 wins and one draw and also won their first game against Monza last weekend. Their last defeat was against Manchester City in the final of the UCL.
Head To Head
Cagliari have won only one of their last 11 league games against the Nerazzurri, losing on nine occasions. In their last 20 games played against each other, Inter Milan have 12 wins, as against just 4 wins for the home side while 4 ended in a draw.
Players To Watch
Cagliari will be hoping that their goalkeeper, Boris Radunovic can keep out the opponent’s attack while looking to Nahitan Nandez and Gaetano Oristiano, on loan from Inter for inspiration upfront. Team captain, Lautaro Martinez will be leading the attack alongside Marcus Thuram and we could also see Davide Frattesi get his first start today.
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Cagliari possible starting lineup: Radunovic; Obert, Dossena, Goldaniga; Zappa, Sulemana, Makoumbou, Nandez, Augello; Orisitanio, Pavoletti
Inter Milan possible starting lineup: Sommer; Darmian, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan/Frattesi, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.
Injuries And Suspensions
The home side will be missing the likes of Gianluca Lapadula, M. Rog, M. Mancuso and J. Desogus. For Inter, Francesco Acerbi will be missing for the second game due to a muscle problem.
Verdict
Expect a win from Inter Milan and another possible clean sheet. (0-3) with goals from Martinez and Thuram.
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