Having just thrashed Sampdoria by a margin of 5-1 last Saturday, Inter took their undefeated streak in Serie A to 19 consecutive games. Conte’s men have been a class apart this season and with leading goal scorer Romelu Lukaku given a rest, Alexis Sanchez bagged a brace taking his tally to seven for the season. With just three games remaining, the Nerazzurri will surely look to end the campaign with just two defeats to their name.
Well, that was fun 😁#InterSampdoria 5⃣-1⃣#FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/D7mJgajESd
— Inter (@Inter_en) May 8, 2021
Roma were humiliated 9-4 over the two legs in their Europa League semi-final bout and took their frustrations out on Crotone this weekend. Paulo Fonseca’s side smashed the basement dwellers 5-0 as they closed the gap to 6th placed Lazio to six points. With the club having announced that Jose Mourinho will be their new manager from next season and trying to chase the last Europa League spot, Fonseca would love to stop Inter’s juggernaut and inflict just a third defeat of the season on their opponents.
A dominant second half display! 🌟
Mayoral (2), Pellegrini (2) and Mkhitaryan with our goals in this one!#ASRoma #RomaCrotone pic.twitter.com/pMYRR46HEz
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 9, 2021
These two sides have drawn each of their last six encounters, though they come into this having been in fine form in front of goal. Inter will look to continue their marauding ways while Fonseca will look to cap off his managerial reign in style.
TEAM NEWS
No fresh injuries have been reported by the home side with Aleksandar Kolarov and Arturo Vidal being the only long-term absentees. With the title already secured, Conte may look to give some of the starters a rest this time around as well.
Inter Milan Probable Lineup: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Bastoni; Hakimi, Sensi, Vecino, Eriksen, Young; Pinamonti, Sanchez
A new Club record. 🏠#InterStats 📊 pic.twitter.com/gfYplj6fbl
— Inter (@Inter_en) May 9, 2021
In contrast, Roma have been plagued by the injury bug throughout the season losing several key players in the process with Amadou Diawara being the latest casualty. Therefore, expect Fonseca to field mostly the same players as last time.
AS Roma Probable Lineup: Fuzato; Karsdorp, Kumbulla, Ibanez, Santon; Darboe, Cristante; Pedro, Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Mayoral
GAMECHANGERS
Alexis Sanchez has really come into his own since joining Inter. The Chilean winger has nine goals and 11 assists this season. He was in fluid form against Claudio Ranieri’s men and is easily having the most productive season since his days at Arsenal. Moreover, with Conte likely to rest Lukaku again at least from the start, Sanchez has the chance to shine once more as the leading man in this talented team, and find form with the Copa America round the corner.
⚽ 9 goals
🅰️ 11 assistsTwo more impressive finishes yesterday 🇨🇱#InterStats 📊 pic.twitter.com/PFsGR3ADHF
— Inter (@Inter_en) May 9, 2021
Furthermore, he will look to end his season by getting to double digits in terms of scoring in the league, something he has not managed since 2017. With Conte’s team playing such an attacking brand of football throughout this season, it is more than a possibility.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is another player who has found new life in Italy. Having already been involved in 20 goal contributions (10 goals, 10 assists) for Roma in the league, the Armenian icon will look to fire his team past the stoic defence of the Nerrazzurri. Mkhitaryan has been an ever present in this team having featured in 31 matches, and with his ex-manager coming in after this season, he will look to impress once again.
10 GOALS⚽️
10 ASSISTS🅰️What a season🇮🇹 this was for @HenrikhMkh
Still 3 matches to be played😉#Armenia #Mkhitaryan #ASRoma #Հայաստան #Մխիթարյան #RomaCrotone https://t.co/ectGde151B
— Official Armenian FF (@OfficialArmFF) May 9, 2021
Edin Dzeko, their star striker, has been having a few off nights in front of goal so the responsibility is on the dynamic playmaker to make inroads in this crucial match for Europa League football next term.
PREDICTIONS
Both the teams come into this game on the back of huge results which will no doubt have buoyed their spirits for keeping that winning run going. However, with Roma having to contend with so many injuries to their star players, FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 win for Inter.
