Roma will climb to second place with a win against struggling Inter, while the Nerazzurri need a victory to keep their slim hopes of European football next season alive.
Inter has endured a disappointing campaign. Two different managers have been unable to ignite the team, which will now miss out on a trophy for the fourth straight season. The club could well fail to qualify for European football next season. Inter is currently 10th in Serie A, seven points behind the final European qualification spot with seven games of the season to play.
New manager Roberto Mancini has been unable to turn Inter’s dominance in games into points. Last weekend Inter was unable to make the most of controlling the game against city rivals AC Milan. A 0-0 draw was yet another frustrating result for the Nerazzurri this campaign.
With Roma playing a day before Lazio who is currently second in Serie A, the Giallorossi have the perfect opportunity to mount pressure on their city rivals.
Roma has drawn its last two matches in Serie A, and with a resurgent Napoli just five points behind it, a tight battle for the final Champions League spot seems inevitable.
The Giallorossi have not been losing many games. They have, however, drawn 10 of their previous 15 in Serie A, which has ended any hope of them mounting a serious challenge to Juventus’ Serie A defence.
Roma has been guilty of throwing away leads and that was evident last week against Atalanta. Captain Francesco Totti gave his side the perfect start with an early goal but the Giallorossi were unable to hold on with German Denis equalising from the spot to deny Roma.
Key Battle – Fredy Guarin vs Radja Nainggolan
Inter will be hopeful that Colombian Fredy Guarin can get the edge over Roma’s battling midfielder Radja Nainggolan. Guarin has impressed in what has been a dire season for Inter and has showed some of the potential in evidence in his early days at Porto. Roma meanwhile can rely upon the ever dependable Nainggolan. The Belgian has cemented himself in Rudi Garcia’s starting eleven this season following injuries to Kevin Strootman and Miralem Pjanic. Nainggolan has been Roma’s best player this campaign, so Guarin and Inter will have to stop him dictating the game if they are to end their poor run of form.
Team News
Inter will be without Chilean Gary Medel who is serving a suspension after being booked in the Derby. On a more positive note, influential midfielder Guarin will come back into the team following a ban.
Inter Milan Expected XI (4-3-3): Handanovic (GK); Santon, Ranocchia, Vidic, Jesus; Guarin, Brozovic, Hernanes; Gnoukouri, Palacio, Icardi.
Roma will miss Italian defender Davide Astori as he will serve a suspension. Maicon and Miralem Pjanic are all still unavailable but the capital club will welcome back vice-captain Daniele De Rossi to the starting lineup. There could also be a return for Ivorian striker Gervinho.
AS Roma Expected XI (4-3-3): De Sanctis (GK); Torosidis, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, Holebas; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Keita; Florenzi, Gervinho, Totti.
Head-to-Head
The game between the two sides earlier on in the season was one of the best games so far in Serie A. A second half double from Pjanic sealed a 4-2 victory for Roma, after Inter had twice levelled the game at the Stadio Olimpico. This weekend’s match at San Siro will be the 100th time the Nerazzurri have hosted Roma in all competitions. The Giallorossi are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Inter in all competitions. Roma has won each of its last three matches away at Inter, scoring three goals on each occasion.
Prediction
Neither team is in great form but for both it is a must win. Roma’s recent history gives it the edge despite its dismal recent record in Serie A. Inter has only kept five clean sheets at home this season and has been goal shy in recent weeks.
Inter Milan 0 Roma 1
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