Inter Milan vs Bologna: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
Inter Milan is set to face Bologna in the Supercoppa Italiana on Friday evening in Riyadh. This match marks Bologna’s debut in the Supercoppa. The winner will advance to the final on Monday, where they will meet either Napoli or AC Milan.
Match Preview: Inter Milan’s Path to the Final
Inter Milan, the Serie A runners-up from last season, is striving to reclaim the Supercoppa title after losing to AC Milan in a thrilling final. That match ended in dramatic fashion, with Inter leading 2-0 before ultimately falling short.
Under the guidance of new coach Cristian Chivu, Inter has rebounded successfully. They sit at the top of the Serie A table, securing 11 wins from 15 matches. Currently, they are just one point ahead of AC Milan and two points clear of defending champions Napoli.
Inter also boasts the most formidable attack in Serie A. With 12 players contributing to the scoresheet, they have been in exceptional form, including recent victories over Como, Pisa, and Genoa. Captain Lautaro Martinez has notably scored four goals in these matches, showcasing his importance and form heading into the Supercoppa.
Bologna’s Strong Performance and Recent Challenges
Bologna, making their first appearance in the Supercoppa, has proven to be a difficult opponent for Inter, losing only once in their last five encounters. Their last match against Inter resulted in a 1-0 victory, thanks to Riccardo Orsolini’s stoppage-time goal.
Bologna secured their Supercoppa spot by defeating AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final, which also marked their first major trophy in over five decades. Currently, they sit sixth in Serie A and are in contention for the Europa League’s knockout stage.
However, recent challenges include a narrow loss to Juventus, where they failed to maintain a clean sheet for six consecutive games. Facing a powerful Inter attack will be a key test for Bologna in the coming weeks, as the teams are scheduled to meet again in Milan shortly after their clash in Riyadh.
Team News and Lineups
Inter Milan has some mixed injury news. Hakan Calhanoglu has returned from injury, and Matteo Darmian is also available again. However, veteran defender Francesco Acerbi is out with a thigh injury, and Denzel Dumfries recently underwent ankle surgery, sidelining him until March.
For Bologna, the absence of key players such as goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski and midfielder Remo Freuler will be felt. Coach Vincenzo Italiano also faces defensive injury concerns but will look for contributions from Orsolini, who has performed well against Inter in past matches.
Projected Lineups
- Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro
- Inter Milan: J. Martinez; Akanji, Bisseck, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Prediction: Inter Milan vs Bologna
Given the current form of both teams, our prediction is a 2-1 victory for Inter Milan. While Bologna has the potential to pose challenges, Inter’s superior attacking lineup could be decisive.
