Inter and Carpi will meet for the first ever time in Serie A as they clash at Modena’s Stadio Alberto Braglia as both sides look to improve upon their opening week performances.
Despite the Nerazzurri winning their opening match of the season against Atalanta 1-0, through a wonder goal from debutant Stevan Jovetic, coach Roberto Mancini will be disappointed with his side’s inability to break down a stubborn La Dea defence.
The Biancorossi on the other hand, were given a sharp awakening following their promotion from Serie B, as they were blown away in their first ever match in the Italian top flight, losing 5-2 away at Sampdoria.
The Nerazzurri will certainly be expecting to crack on in what is too be an important season for the club following a host of new signings such as Miranda, Stevan Jovetic and Geoffrey Kondogbia, who are all expected to bring Inter back into the top echelons of Italian and European football.
Carpi, meanwhile, have been scrabbling around for new players this summer in the hope of creating a squad strong enough to survive their first season in Serie A. Despite a lack of funds, Carpi have managed to bring in 14 new signings, with nine of them on loan from other Serie A clubs.
Former Fiorentina midfielder Andrea Lazzari looks to be a shrewd signing on a free transfer, but the Biancorossi will be hoping that Polish striker Kamil Wilczek can chip in with a few goals after they signed him from Ekstraklasa side Piast Gliwice, who he scored 20 goals for last season.
These sides met in a pre-season friendly this summer which Inter won 4-2 following a brilliant performance from Hernanes. Matos was also in fine form during that game, putting a well-placed header past Samir Handanovic.
In terms of injuries, Inter may be missing key striker Mauro Icardi after he came off with a thigh strain against La Dea after only 17 minutes. Nemanja Vidic is still out following surgery on a slipped disc, though Danilo D’Ambrosio could be in the squad.
For the home side, striker Jerry Mbakogu is still undergoing therapy and may miss the match, however, they picked up no fresh injuries during their first fixture of the season.
Form Guide: Carpi (W-L) Inter (W)
Expected starting XIs
Carpi: Brkic; Bubnjic, Spolli, Gagliolo; Letizia, Puggioni, Marrone, Lazzari, Gabriel Silva; Matos, Lasagna.
Inter: Handanovic; Santon, Mirand, Murillo, Juan Jesus, Kondogbia, Medel, Brozovic, Hernanes, Jovetic, Palacio
