Inter will host Genoa at the San Siro in Sunday’s early kickoff as both teams attempt to continue their march toward European football for next season.
Currently, only five points separate fifth place Genoa and eleventh place Inter, and a win for Roberto Mancini’s side could completely change the Nerazurri’s fortunes in Serie A as reinforcements continue to arrive at the club.
Inter have kept the Grifone in check over their last six meetings losing only once in that time. However, that Genoa win did come in their last meeting nearly a year to the day of Sunday’s encounter.
Inter are unbeaten in their last three matches following their come from behind draw with Juventus last weekend. Meanwhile, Genoa’s come from behind draw with Atalanta put an end to their two game winless run.
Inter may have new signing Xherdan Shaqiri in the team as Mancini looks likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation. If he does, it will most certainly mean Mauro Icardi will be the lone striker. That should allow another Inter January signing, Lukas Podolski, to play down the left wing. An area that could cause a lot of problems for Genoa due to the German’s incredible pace.
Genoa will also have a new signing on display at San Siro as Tino Costa could make his first start since moving to Genoa from Spartak Moscow. The playmaker could force his way into the side as Genoa have failed to create in the final third throughout the season. However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini could play it safe from the start with two midfielders that are more adapt at breaking up Inter’s possession.
Genoa are still without their danger man Diego Perotti who will serve the third of a four match ban for insulting a match official in Genoa’s pre-Christmas loss to Roma. Facudo Roncaglia will also miss the game through suspension, while Giovanni Marchese is still out following knee surgery.
Like Genoa, Inter have two important players out due to suspension as Mateo Kovacic and Juan Jesus will serve a ban. Jesus begins the first of a four match ban due to his elbow on Giorgio Chiellini. Just as important, if not more, captain Andrea Ranocchia is also suspended, while Yuto Nagatomo will miss the game as he is with Japan in the Asian Cup.
One goal was enough to settle things last time these teams met as Genoa left-back Luca Antonelli scored for the Grifone. Mancini’s Inter will be quite a different team to the one that faced Genoa last January as only five Inter players that featured in that game have the possibility of being selected. A win for either side could solidify their hopes of European football for next term.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Handanovic, Campagnaro, Andreolli, Vidic, D’Ambrosio, Medel, Guarin, Palacio, Hernanes, Podolski, Icardi
Genoa: Perin, Izzo, Burdisso, De Maio, Edenilson, Bertolacci, Rincon, Antonelli, Falque, Kucka, Matri
