After Inter’s second-half collapse which saw them lose 2-1 at home to Bologna, with both sides reduced to 10 men, Antonio Conte’s men face Hellas Verona on Thursday night at the Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Verona have been inconsistent since the restart, securing two wins, two defeats and a draw – most recently losing 2-0 to Brescia at the weekend.
Inter had been faring better than their opponents beating Brescia 6-0 and Parma before that, 2-1. Due to their disastrous 2-1 defeat to Bologna however, Inter now sit 11 points behind the league leaders Juventus; albeit with a game in hand.
Realistically then, Inter know they need to win this upcoming fixture if they are to have any hope of challenging for the title. However, they won’t be helped by the myriad of suspensions they have to deal with.
Here is the team Conte will play with those red cards in mind:
Samir Handanovic (GK): Of course he will start, the Slovenian is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Milan Skriniar (CB): Back from a three-game suspension after his red card against Sassuolo, he’ll replace Alessandro Bastoni who was sent off in the 2-1 defeat to Bologna.
Diego Godin (CB): Will come in for the suspended Danilo D’Ambrosio to form the back three alongside…
Stefan De Vrij (CB): One of the top defenders in Serie A this season and a mainstay of Inter’s back three.
Antonio Candreva (RM): The Italian will continue on the right side with Victor Moses still struggling with a thigh injury.
Roberto Gagliardini (CM): A goalscorer in Inter’s 6-0 demolition of Brescia, Gagliardini will keep his place in central midfield.
Christian Eriksen (CAM): Arguably one of Inter’s most important players since the restart, Eriksen will play when fit.
Marcelo Brozovic (CM): After returning from a calf injury in Sunday’s defeat, the Croatian will keep his place as Barella is ruled out for Inter’s next two games with a thigh injury.
Ashley Young (LM): The former England international has been fairly decent since his arrival in January, contributing two goals and two assists.
Alexis Sanchez (ST): The Man United loanee remembered how to play football in Inter’s 6-0 win over Brescia, scoring and getting two assists. Expect Alexis to start over the out of sorts Lautaro Martinez against Verona.
Romelu Lukaku (ST): The Belgian hitman became just the fourth Inter player in history to bag 20 Serie A goals in their first season with the club – the first since Ronaldo – with his opener in the defeat to Bologna.
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