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While it may be a battle of third place and … well … not even close to third place, Saturday’s match between Inter Milan and Udinese could turn into a dog fight.
Inter are playing to keep AC Milan, AS Roma and Atalanta off their trail and maintain its position for a Champions League spot next season.
Udinese, on the other hand, are playing for their collective Serie A lives.
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Inter Milan news (D-D-W-D-W)
Well, just like last season, Inter Milan are in a battle to secure a Champions League position next season. Mainly because we just refuse to do anything the easy way.
With Atalanta trailing the Nerazzurri by just three points, Inter needs points and can’t afford to squander opportunities like this one Saturday.
So, even with just a few weeks of the season left, Luciano Spalletti’s side can’t relax and take their foot off the pedal just yet.
Inter comes into Saturday with a nearly healthy squad as just Sime Vrsaljko is out (but, he’s been out for a while, so they are pretty much healthy). On Friday, the club said midfielder Matias Vecino would be out of the contest with a thigh injury.
But, now is a time for players on the verge of being sold to step up to the plate if they want to stay (I see you Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic).
The Nerazzurri haven’t lost in five matches, but they haven’t been that impressive either. However, Saturday provides a great opportunity to start closing out the season on a high note.
Inter have won their last five trips to Udine, scoring 15 goals while only conceding two, so the table is set for Inter to have a strong outing.
Probable lineup: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, De Vrij, Asamoah; Gagliardini, Brozovic; Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic; Icardi
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Udinese news (L-D-L-L-W)
If there is a team that has taken it on the chin, Udinese is a strong contender.
Le Zebrette have been utterly decimated by injuries as Antonin Barak, Valon Behrami, Seko Fofana, Nicholas Opoku, Hidde Ter Avest and William Troost-Ekong are all out with injury.
Udinese sits in 17th in Serie A, just four points out of the relegation zone and former Juventus defender Igor Tudor is on his second stint as manager of the club. Let’s not forget that Tudor is the third manager this season for the squad.
Last time Tudor was the manager, Udinese was relegated and I’m sure he’s hoping not to repeat history.
In addition to injuries, defender Samir is out on suspension, however Bram Nuytinck is back in defense after coming off an injury himself.
But, hey, we’ll get to see Inter-linked Rodrigo de Paul play!! (So, there’s that)
Things are not looking good in Udine, but a win Saturday would go a long way to helping erase the downfall they have suffered … as well as helping avoid the drop zone.
Probable lineup: Musso; Larsen, De Maio, Nuytinck; D’Alessandro, Mandragora, Sandro, De Paul, Zeegelaar; Okaka, Lasagna
Match information
Time and date: 2:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, May 4, 2019
Location: Dacia Arena (Udine)
How to watch: In the United States, the match will be live on ESPN+. If you are in the United Kingdom, you can watch the match live on Premier Sports 2. In Italy, the match will be live on DAZN.
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