Serie A | Inter v Bologna: Match Preview
The San Siro is set to host a thrilling Serie A encounter on Wednesday evening as reigning champions Inter Milan welcome Bologna in their quest for a seventh consecutive league victory. With the potential to close the gap on league leaders Napoli to just one point, Inter will be eager to maintain their impressive form against a Bologna side that has proven difficult to beat this season. The post Serie A | Inter v Bologna: Match Preview appeared first on FootItalia.com.
The San Siro is set to host a thrilling Serie A encounter on Wednesday evening as reigning champions Inter Milan welcome Bologna in their quest for a seventh consecutive league victory. With the potential to close the gap on league leaders Napoli to just one point, Inter will be eager to maintain their impressive form against a Bologna side that has proven difficult to beat this season.
Simone Inzaghi’s men have shown remarkable resilience following their disappointing Supercoppa Italiana final loss to city rivals AC Milan. The Nerazzurri swiftly bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Venezia at the Stadio Penzo, extending their unbeaten run in Serie A to an impressive 13 matches.
Inter’s recent defensive prowess has been particularly noteworthy, with the team securing four consecutive clean sheets in the league – their best such run since 2021. This defensive solidity, combined with their status as Serie A’s top scorers (averaging over 2.5 goals per game), makes them a formidable opponent for any team in the division.
Bologna, under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano, arrive at San Siro sitting seventh in the table and with aspirations of European qualification. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, with the team struggling to close out matches effectively. Their last outing saw them concede a stoppage-time equalizer against Roma, continuing a concerning trend of dropping points from winning positions.
Despite these setbacks, Bologna has shown resilience on their travels this season, losing just twice away from home. They’ll be buoyed by their recent cup success at San Siro and will look to maintain their remarkable scoring record against Inter in Milan, having found the net in each of their last 13 league meetings at the venue.
Team News
Inter Milan may be forced to field an unfamiliar midfield trio once again, with Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, and Piotr Zielinski potentially retaining their places. The hosts are grappling with injury concerns, as key players Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu remain doubtful with thigh issues. The return of Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thuram from injury provides a boost, but Francesco Acerbi, Yann Bisseck, and Joaquin Correa are still sidelined.
Bologna welcomes back Tommaso Pobega from suspension, offering a boost to their midfield options. However, they’ll be without the suspended Jhon Lucumi in defense. The visitors may look to Riccardo Orsolini for inspiration, given his recent goal-scoring form against Inter. The choice between Thijs Dallinga and Santiago Castro up front will be crucial to Bologna’s attacking strategy.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Zielinski, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
Bologna: Skorupski; Holm, Beukema, Casale, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Ferguson, Dominguez; Castro
Match Prediction
Given Inter’s current form and home advantage, they are favorites to continue their winning streak. However, Bologna’s ability to score at San Siro and Inter’s occasional defensive lapses could make for an entertaining encounter.
Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 Bologna
The post Serie A | Inter v Bologna: Match Preview appeared first on FootItalia.com.
What's Your Reaction?
